Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 108 | 34% |
| Structure | 35 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 20 | 6% |
| Visibility | 15 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 4% |
| Power train | 12 | 4% |
| Tires | 12 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 3% |
| Suspension | 7 | 2% |
| Steering | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the turn signal and headlights failed. The contact stated that the high beam failed to operate correctly whether the vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER STRUT TOWER WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE W
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE CABLE HARNESS AND CLAMP AROUND THE BATTERY POSTS TO GET A GOOD CONNECTION SO THE CAR WOULD START. I COULD N
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ALSO THE PERSON THAT DID THE SUNVISOR RECALL REPAIR GAVE ME A DIRTY AND/ OR USED PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR TETHER STRAP ASSEMBLY. I WAS ALSO CHARGED 130 DOLLARS FOR A MISCELLANEOUS DIAGNOSTIC WHICH STATES COULD NOT DUPLIC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1) A COMMON ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS, THE STRUT TOWERS RUST THROUGH WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN CONSIDERING THAT THE SUSPENSION IS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHICH COULD PUT AN INDIVIDUAL O
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE 30 AMP FUSE CONNECTION THAT CONTROLS THE A/C-HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, BURNS OUT IN THE FUSE BLOCK. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSE BLOCK 3 TIMES AND THEY END UP BURNING OUT THIS CIRCUIT. THIS COULD EASILY START AN ELECTRICAL FI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CAR BODY PAINT BOTH CLEARCOAT AND PAINT SLOWLY PEELING OFF CAR BODY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE LAST THREE PLUS YEARS. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
RECALL NOTICE 99V305001 THE TURN SIGNALS WONT CANCEL AND WONT STAY ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 222-0037 AND BOTH SAY MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.
Risk: A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.
CERTAIN 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.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATI
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.
Risk: THIS CIRCUIT FAILURE COULD CAUSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO OCCUR: (1) THE ENGINE WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE WILL BLOW IF THE POWER LEAD IS GROUNDED; (2) THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP WIL
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEAL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Risk: FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and wheels is the most reported area with 108 of them (34%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.