2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 6% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle has a bad paint job, needs to be repainted. The heater coil is leaking and needs to be replaced had estimate of $1030.44 with not guarantee that the dash will come out in one piece and can be put back into the car without breaking into several pieces. I feel that mitsubish put bad paint jobs on the cars and they should be the ones to repaint the car, and replace the heater coil so the I will have working defrosters. Ma 10/29/2015 updated 12/06/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10743320, filed 2015-07, 144,000 miles“After driving 65 MPH the consumer noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The consumer pulled over and opened the hood to see all the insulation smoldering. All of the electrical wires were also melted. The dealer is examining the vehicle at this time. The manufacturer is aware of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10057338, filed 2004-02, 24,460 miles“I have a mitisubishi Eclipse 2003 100000 miles ( majority highway). In the spring of 08-the vehicle was making noise when accelerating, the vehicle was changing gears hard and was advise it was the transmission/motor mounds. The problem occurred intermittently while driving as much as 40mph. Took it back to mitisubishi dealer for service/diagnosis-told possible eventually trans, timing belt and possibly radiator, which was one of another consumers resolve. Well, they flush the radiator and it resolve the problem of driving but not the noise. …”
NHTSA complaint #10277592, filed 2009-07, 100,000 miles“The vehicle would not start because the connector to the ignition switch had a broken lock tab and was being pulled by the harness when the steering wheel was tiled.”
NHTSA complaint #10014967, filed 2003-04, 4,887 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While rolling down the passenger side window, the contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the window switch area. The contact extinguished the fire and called the fire department. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that faulty wiring in the window caused the fire. The vehicle was repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11019431, filed 2017-08, 114,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170087Dec 7, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10016133Apr 1, 2005Alternator fr terminal voltage - service manual revision.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 | 25% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 2 | 33% |
| 2004 | 1 | 7% |
| 2003 | 7 | 6% |
| 2002 | 5 | 7% |
| 2001 | 19 | 9% |
| 2000 | 21 | 7% |
| 1999 | 8 | 7% |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 6% |
| 1995 | 46 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 9% |
| 1993 | 1 | 3% |
| 1992 | 5 | 10% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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