2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Eclipse years.
One of the Mitsubishi Eclipse years to avoid. All Eclipse years
166 owner complaints, most about structure. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Eclipse?The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 166 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and power train.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Eclipse years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Eclipse?
Across the 16 Eclipse model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2011) to 316 (2001). With 166 complaints, the 2003 Eclipse sits above the model's median of 107.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Eclipse
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 03V442000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 04V428000CERTAIN 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 15V338000Mitsubishi 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.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E060000CERTAIN 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."
Show 1 more recall
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and model type.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Eclipse. See the full Eclipse owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Eclipse listings typically run $5,249–$9,194 across 1997 to 2012 model years.
Other Eclipse model years
Compare every Eclipse year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Eclipse against its rivals
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