2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 21%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 21% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After having my car washed and detailed in late may of 2008, I noticed a white deterioration of paint on the hood. Over the past few months the damage has spread over the hood and the trunk of the vehicle like a fungus. I recently went online to research the problem and discovered hundreds of Mitsubishi owners are experiencing the same problems. Most have stated that Mitsubishi has been notified of the problem and will not take responsibility for the defect as the car is no longer under the 36 month warranty period . …”
NHTSA complaint #10238488, filed 2008-08, 67,000 miles“I have a black I guess you can call it black and white 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The clear coat it completely off and the black paint is just about gone. I have rust spots coming through now. It first started on the hood about a year ago and now it is everywhere. I also had to replace two of my rims because they were bent. Now I have a shimmy in my steering wheel when I get up to 65mph this started about a year ago also. I have gotten new tires and rims on it hoping that would help the problem but it is just as bad as it was last year.”
NHTSA complaint #10241359, filed 2008-09, 85,000 miles“I own a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse gt with a paint-peeling problem. The vehicle has a horrible paint-peeling problem all over the top areas of the car. I bought the car with about 48,000 miles, and the paint problem started about two thousand miles later. I have seen many, many vehicles with the same problem as my car. I took my vehicle to a Mitsubishi dealership so that they could take pictures and send them in. I received a response about three weeks later saying that they would not do anything to the car because I was not the original owner and the vehicle was out of warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10231913, filed 2008-06, 50,000 miles“There is a major defect in the dashboards of Mitsubishi Eclipse's (years 2000-05). The dashboard will crack as the car hits uneven road such ash pot holes. In the heat and cold although covered and protected fro direct sunlight the dash will expand and retract in size creating small fractures that can crack. Once the cracks become large enough pieces will either fly out towards the driver or fall into the heating and cooling ducts causing damage to the cars blower motor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10288599, filed 2009-10, 85,000 miles“Dashboard has cracked in two. This is the second dashboard that has been replaced in this car, dodge and Mitsubishi will not do anything to rectify this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10175113, filed 2006-12, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235609Apr 24, 2023This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
- 10170097Jan 15, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10014365May 1, 2004Top latch set screws.
- 10014198Sep 1, 2002Clicking noise at instrument panel.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 13% |
| 2009 | 6 | 14% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 5% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 17% |
| 2004 | 5 | 36% |
| 2003 | 31 | 25% |
| 2002 | 15 | 21% |
| 2001 | 21 | 10% |
| 2000 | 41 | 13% |
| 1999 | 24 | 20% |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% |
| 1997 | 10 | 7% |
| 1996 | 11 | 7% |
| 1995 | 12 | 4% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 4 | 11% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
29 complaintsTires
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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