2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls and problems

2 recalls and 73 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

2
recalls
73
owner complaints
5
complaints mentioning a crash
4
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 15V338000 · reported June 2, 2015 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 443,442 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
The risk
If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix
MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN · 100,432 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
The risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix
Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 1, 2015 · Fuel/propulsion system · 185,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE FUEL NECK DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…

Jul 29, 2015 · Structure · 200,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FRACTURES ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Dec 10, 2014 · Electrical system · 70,000 miles · fire reported

CAUGHT FIRE OVER NIGHT WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. WOKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO FIND THE DASH BOARD MELTED, WINDOWS SMOKED OUT, FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR BURNT.

Jul 29, 2014 · Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CRACKED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AS I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IT POSSIBLY GOT TOO HOT FROM THE SUN ONE DAY. I WAS APPALLED TO HEAR THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. PARTS OF A CAR SHOULD NOT BREAK IN TWO OR THREE PIECES…

Jul 25, 2013 · Child seat

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BABY TREND CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER: TJ94128 (NA), AND MANUFACTURED JULY 7, 2012. THE CHILD SEAT WAS BEING USED IN A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHILD SEAT LOWER LATCH CONNECTOR FAILED TO LOCK DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

Eclipse model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 7308146
2001 7209246
2002 27354
2003 3124154
2004 41461
2005 3602

Across all years, the 2000 Eclipse has the most complaints (308). All Mitsubishi Eclipse years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the most recent reported on June 2, 2015 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is wheels (29 complaints), followed by structure (15).
How many 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse complaints mention a crash or fire?
5 of 73 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 1, 2015.