Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse a bad year?
209 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Eclipse years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse are in line with other Eclipse years. Wheels stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Eclipse owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 37,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 73 (35%) | 20k–50k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Body structure | 21 (10%) | 44k–82k miles · ahead | — |
| Electrical system | 19 (9%) | 54k–120k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 18 (9%) | 53k–100k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 22 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 37,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 209 complaints: 24 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse: 10
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. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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. This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A bulge in the fuel tank caused by the manufacturing process resulted in thinning of the material during a welding operation, increasing the risk of fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose was mis-manufactured and could weaken over time, which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid. Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles. The rear anchor bolts securing the driver's seat may not properly secure the seat and could increase the risk of driver injury in an accident.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The outer layer only of this 3-LAYER fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error. This hose is considered to be inadequate.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit. Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mitsubishi: 18
Repair instructions Mitsubishi sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Headlights failure
Aluminum alloy wheel denting
Alloy wheel denting and fracturing
Front shoulder belt webbing guide
Neighbouring years
2000 Eclipse: 308 complaints, keep it · 2002 Eclipse: 73 complaints, keep it.
Every Mitsubishi Eclipse year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · All Eclipse years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse a bad year?
209 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Eclipse years. At 37,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: wheels (73), body structure (21), electrical system (19), exterior lighting (18), air bags (22).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 15V-338), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E060000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E049000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.