Mitsubishi Eclipse: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
1,063 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mitsubishi Eclipse, model years 2000 to 2012. No model year stands out for the engine or transmission against the others. Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2009, 2008, 2002. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Eclipse | 308 | — | 10 | |
| 2001 Eclipse | 209 | — | 10 | |
| 2002 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 73 | quiet: 3 of 8 | 4 | |
| 2003 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 124 | — | 5 | |
| 2004 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 14 | — | 5 | |
| 2005 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 4 | |
| 2006 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 99 | — | 4 | |
| 2007 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 107 | — | 4 | |
| 2008 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 71 | quiet: 2 of 8 | 1 | |
| 2009 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 42 | quiet: 1 of 8 | 1 | |
| 2010 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2011 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2012 EclipseFEW REPORTS | 8 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your Eclipse at your mileage
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Other Mitsubishi models
Mitsubishi Diamante · Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder · Mitsubishi Endeavor · Mitsubishi Galant · Mitsubishi Lancer · Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution · Mitsubishi Mirage · Mitsubishi Montero · Mitsubishi Montero Sport · Mitsubishi Outlander · Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 20002001