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 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it carries 4 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 | 30 | 29% |
| Structure | 19 | 18% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 6% |
| Power train | 5 | 5% |
| Air bags | 5 | 5% |
| Tires | 5 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Tires | 4 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. There was no
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE FUEL NECK DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUM
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FRACTURES ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF
NHTSA complaint: Structure
CAUGHT FIRE OVER NIGHT WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. WOKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO FIND THE DASH BOARD MELTED, WINDOWS SMOKED OUT, FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR BURNT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CRACKED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AS I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IT POSSIBLY GOT TOO HOT FROM THE SUN ONE DAY. I WAS APPALLE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BABY TREND CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER: TJ94128 (NA), AND MANUFACTURED JULY 7, 2012. THE CHILD SEAT WAS BEING USED IN A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHILD SEAT LOWER
NHTSA complaint: Child seat
MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION AFTER TURNING AND THEN OUT OF THE SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM WOULD STAY ON PERMANENTLY, LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT START . MY TURNING SIGNAL STOP WORKING AND NO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TRANSMISSION STOPS FUNCTIONING DUE TO WAVE/CUSHION SPRING FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 200
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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
| 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 104 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and wheels is the most reported area with 30 of them (29%). There are 4 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 2002 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.