2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 9%of 209 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,245miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 9% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,245 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse rs 2.4 engine I bought it off my husband's uncle four months ago and ever since I got the car I noticed the light adjusters don't work at all and at night the headlights are so dim that sometimes I can't even see the road at all this is a safety concern that needs to be taken care of”
NHTSA complaint #11337053, filed 2020-07, 164,000 miles“There was a burning smell in my car and the headlights went out, but they would come back on after awhile. Eventually they both went out, and would not come back on. I am getting this repaired at a Mitsubishi dealership. They told me that this happens very often with eclipses, and that they would have to replace the sockets.”
NHTSA complaint #10100087, filed 2004-11, 33,500 miles“In my car the headlights will come on but very dim or sometimes not at all. If I hit a bump the headlights will also go out. Moving wire connection on back of headlights will fix the problem momentarily. Problem occurs more and more frequently. The other evening I was driving and both headlights went out. I pulled over and popped the hood and there was smoke coming from the wiring harness. The whole harness was melted off.”
NHTSA complaint #10163260, filed 2006-07, 100,000 miles“Since I bought the car in 9/01 I have had over 20 flat tires, causing me to miss work getting stuck over the bridge. I have had to pay for 4 new rims and several tires because the rims seperate from the tire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10118398, filed 2005-04, 30 miles“I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse. About 6 months ago I had the passenger side headlight go out. The fault was a melted connector attached to the lamp. I fixed it by soldering a wire in its place. 4 months months later the other headlight had the same problem. I'm writing this because I saw a complaint for the same issue and figured I'd give my two cents as well. I am actually looking for brake problems because the brakes on the car have been replaced twice and they still don't work very well.”
NHTSA complaint #10110635, filed 2005-02, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by…
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 13% |
| 2005 | 1 | 17% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 25 | 8% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 12 | 4% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
73 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsTires
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology