2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls and problems

The 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 7 safety recalls and 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mitsubishi dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
209
Crashes / fires
24 / 6
Injuries / deaths
13 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls

Recall 15V-338: Air Bags

Reported Jun 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: 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, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

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 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

Recall 04V-428: Equipment

Reported Sep 1, 2004 · 100,432 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

Problem: 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 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

Recall 01V-069: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Mar 8, 2001 · 192 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A bulge in the fuel tank caused by the manufacturing process resulted in thinning of the material during a welding operation, increasing the risk of fuel leakage.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly. Owner notification began march 26, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

Recall 01V-011: Power Train

Reported Jan 16, 2001 · 277,227 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Problem: 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 who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

Recall 01V-005: Seats

Reported Jan 8, 2001 · 47 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles.

Risk: The rear anchor bolts securing the driver's seat may not properly secure the seat and could increase the risk of driver injury in an accident.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat mounting bolts and then replace the bolts if necessary. Owner notification began february 15, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

Recall 00V-320: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Oct 27, 2000 · 10,510 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The outer layer only of this 3-layer fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error.

Risk: This hose is considered to be inadequate.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel return hose.

Recall 00V-299: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Oct 2, 2000 · 6,037 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit.

Risk: Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will re-route the crankshaft position sensor harness.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Wheels75
Structure25
Air Bags24
Power Train21
Electrical System20
Exterior Lighting20
Visibility16
Engine and Engine Cooling14
Tires11
Unknown or Other10
Steering9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8

Most reported parts

  • Wheels › Rim — 62
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 14
  • Structure › Body — 9
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 8
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 8
  • Suspension › Front — 5
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 5
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 52,245 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Nov 16, 2022
I almost got into a accident because it's late sobits really hard to see because the headlights u cnt see any at all at night I can use a flash light out the window and see better like that but on top of that my car just decides to up and stall on me and not wanna start back and it had melted my crankshaft sensor wires and I guess it just decided to also mess up the wiring on my camshaft sensor I literally had to wire up the wires straight around the plug on both just to make it home it was cold out and all I really love my car but I'm spending more money than I've got just tryna keep it…
Exterior Lighting · at 164,000 miles · reported Jul 1, 2020
I have a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse rs 2.4 engine I bought it off my husband's uncle four months ago and ever since I got the car I noticed the light adjusters don't work at all and at night the headlights are so dim that sometimes I can't even see the road at all this is a safety concern that needs to be taken care of
Power Train · at 177,908 miles · reported Jan 30, 2019
Was driving home from work and came to a stop. Tried to shift into 1st and could not do so. Had to turn off my car to shift into gear to avoid grinding. Had a hard time going from 1st to 2nd as well. Once arriving home could not shift into reverse. Seems like the gears were trying to strip and a horrible grinding was occurring. I have been driving a stick shift for almost 30 years and this is the first time I have ever had this problem. Had to turn off my car to shift into reverse to get into my driveway to park. Tried the next day to drive my car...did the warm up due to cold weather, and…
Vehicle Speed Control · at 157 miles · reported Sep 17, 2017
"takaya recall" 2001 mitsubishi eclipse gt, 3.0lv6 automatic transmission. 16 years old, but only 157621 miles driving as usual when without any notice or warning, no longer having any power to wheels from transmission (Engine still running normal as usual). Automatic transmission had complete total catastrophic failure due to a manufacturing defect of an internal part called wave cushion spring
Fuel System, Gasoline · reported Oct 20, 2016
2001 mitsubishi eclipse. Consumer writes in regards to exterior lighting recall, entire fuel system replacement recall, power train, automatic transmission cooling unit and lines recall issues. The dealer informed the consumer, they only had one recall applicable to his vehicle, which was for the sun visor on the passenger side. However, the consumer stated the gas tank is leaking and has many welding issues.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse years

Compare all Mitsubishi Eclipse years · All Mitsubishi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse: 15V-338 (air bags), 04V-428 (equipment), 01V-069 (fuel system, gasoline), 01V-011 (power train), 01V-005 (seats) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Owners report wheels problems most often (75 reports), followed by structure (25). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 52,245 miles.

Are Mitsubishi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mitsubishi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.