2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 10%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 10% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,000 miles. 1 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.
“I have a 2003 ecipse that I have had in the shpo twice because my car is leaking oil. I have had continous run around at the garage waiting for parts etc. I am very dissatisfied with the fact that my garagf floor continues to have wet oil on it.I also am without a vehicle that I am paying for.my car has been returned on three occassions to gurley-leep, where it currently is,for the saame problem of leaking oil..”
NHTSA complaint #10045961, filed 2003-11, 8,000 miles“This vehicle suddenly started stalling whether idling, accelerating, or coasting. It would then have trouble starting and run fine again. After taking it to the mitsubshi dealership on western blvd in jacksonville, nc, they could not diagnose it but found in their data base that there is a tiny part in the crank shaft that could cause this problem. After waiting a week for parts they realized they had the wrong tool. Another week waiting for the tool and the new part did not fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10428223, filed 2011-10, 68,000 miles“This vehicle suddenly started stalling whether idling, accelorating, or coasting. It would then have trouble starting and run fine again. After taking it to the mitsubshi dealership on western blvd in jacksonville, nc, they could not diagnose it but found in their data base that there is a tiny part in the crank shaft that could cause this problem. After waiting a week for parts they realized they had the wrong tool. Another week waiting for the tool and the new part ddid not fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10428608, filed 2011-10, 68,000 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 consumer heard a knocking in the engine. This is the second time he has taken it to the Mitsubishi dealer approx. 4 months ago and they were suppose to have replaced the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10118809, filed 2005-05, 33,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10015818Mar 1, 2005Power train control module (pcm) reprogramming for cold engine misfire / hot soak restart / rough idle. Revision.
- 10014399Jun 1, 2004Cold engine misfire.
- 10014396Oct 1, 2002Mil on hot engine misfire no driveability concerns.
- 10014193Sep 1, 2002Cold engine misfire.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2003 | 12 | 10% |
| 2002 | 2 | 3% |
| 2001 | 14 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% |
| 1999 | 18 | 15% |
| 1998 | 21 | 16% |
| 1997 | 41 | 30% |
| 1996 | 26 | 16% |
| 1995 | 59 | 19% |
| 1994 | 5 | 15% |
| 1993 | 8 | 22% |
| 1992 | 8 | 16% |
| 1991 | 8 | 15% |
| 1990 | 6 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 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