Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse with NHTSA between 2014 and 2024.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 17 of 17 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 4
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Eclipse. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 38
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2012 compares with every other Mitsubishi Eclipse
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
436.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,903 mi
Brakes
218.2%
Median failure at 63,587 miles
Electrical System
218.2%
Median failure at 58,000 miles
Lights
19.1%
Median failure at 89,000 miles
Suspension
19.1%
Body & Structure
19.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
222.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
333.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse 3 HB FWD
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2014peak 2Jun 2024
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 51,000 milesBIG Rock, VACrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS HEADING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT ON MY CAR. MY CAR HAD FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IF I WAS GOING THE ACTUAL SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 55 MPH, THE DEER COULD HAVE WENT THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD AND WHERE THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF MY HUSBAND AND I COULD BE DEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10608702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Mokena, IL
SUSPENSION
After a recent oil change, they informed me that the cross bar was very rusted and looks very unsafe. Upon further research I was informed there was a recall for this problem. I am the only owner and at this time all maintenance is up to date. Because the car has low mileage, I want to keep the car so during my research I was informed the part is unavailable. Not sure what to do at this point looking for any suggestions.
NHTSA complaint #11594347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mokena, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
After a recent oil change, they informed me that the cross bar was very rusted and looks very unsafe. Upon further research I was informed there was a recall for this problem. I am the only owner and at this time all maintenance is up to date. Because the car has low mileage, I want to keep the car so during my research I was informed the part is unavailable. Not sure what to do at this point looking for any suggestions.
NHTSA complaint #11594347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE VISIBLY EXPOSED FROM THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #11280919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,806 milesTemecula, CA
AIR BAGS
9/16/15 TOOK VEHICLE TO RIVERSIDE MITSUBISHI DUE TO THE AIRBAG POPPING OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AIRBAG WAS REPLACED AND ISSUED RESOLVED. ON 1/25/16 HAD TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO RIVERSIDE MITSUBISHI DUE TO A BAD RATTLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA, THE AIRBAG WAS REMOVED AND THE SCREWS AND BOLTS WERE RE-TORQUED AND REINSTALLED THE AIRBAG. ON 4/22/19 TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO GALLERY MITSUBISHI -MURRIETA DUE TO THE AIRBAG AND AIRBAG HATCH HAD AGAIN POPPED OUT AGAIN. THE TECHNICIAN AT MITSUBISHI-MURRIETA SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A TECHNICIAN THAT CAN ADEQUATELY DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. WE ALSO CONTACT MITSUBISHI CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THE MITSUBISHI DOES NOT MANUFACTURE THE HATCH OR DASH PARTS ANY LONGER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE MITSUBISHI -MURRIETA FOR 48 HR AND REQUESTED US TO PICK UP WITH NOTHING RESOLVED AND NO REPAIRS MADE, ALONG WITH NO PAPERWORK GIVEN TO US.
NHTSA complaint #11209350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesYardley, PA
AIR BAGS
DASHBOARD SEPARATION EXPOSING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
NHTSA complaint #11099101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesPompano Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
NHTSA complaint #10943857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesPompano Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
NHTSA complaint #10943857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesThornton, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS RELATED TO HEADLIGHT OUTAGE, CAUSING FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HI-BEAM LIGHTS. BEGAN WITH SPONTANEOUS YET INFREQUENT HESISTATION-BLINKING ON/OFF OF DRIVER-SIDE HEADLAMP WHEN NIGHTTIME LIGHTS FIRST USED IN THE EVENING, ESPECIALLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS EVENTUALLY LEAD INCREASED TO TOTAL OUTAGE OF FRONT HEADLIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND HI-BEAMS WHICH LED TO UNSAFE NIGHTTIME DRIVING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, WHERE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THIS SAME ISSUE IS A KNOWN RECALL ON OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS, BUT NOT ON THE ECLIPSE. THAT SAID, MY 2012 MODEL IS THE FINAL MODEL YEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE OFFERED FROM MITSUBISHI. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 90K MILES, AND YET THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR 100K WARRANTY. --- I NOW HAVE TO PAY NEARLY $1300 TO REPLACE BOTH MAIN HEADLIGHT LAMPS AND BOTH ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS, ALONG WITH WIRING BETWEEN. ----- THE VERBIAGE FROM THE RECALL OF THE OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS: ""THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS," SAID NHTSA IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY. "DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, THE VOLTAGE INSIDE THIS ECU MAY BE UNSTABLE. UNSTABLE VOLTAGE COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND WIPERS. IF THE HEADLIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY. IF THE TAILLIGHTS FAIL, THE VEHICLE COULD BE LESS VISIBLE. EITHER CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH." (FROM HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/2010-MITSUBISHI-LANCER-EVOLUTION-AMONG-VEHICLES-RECALLED-FOR-LIGHTING-WIPER-PROBLEM.HTML)
NHTSA complaint #10908240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesThornton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS RELATED TO HEADLIGHT OUTAGE, CAUSING FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HI-BEAM LIGHTS. BEGAN WITH SPONTANEOUS YET INFREQUENT HESISTATION-BLINKING ON/OFF OF DRIVER-SIDE HEADLAMP WHEN NIGHTTIME LIGHTS FIRST USED IN THE EVENING, ESPECIALLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS EVENTUALLY LEAD INCREASED TO TOTAL OUTAGE OF FRONT HEADLIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND HI-BEAMS WHICH LED TO UNSAFE NIGHTTIME DRIVING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, WHERE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THIS SAME ISSUE IS A KNOWN RECALL ON OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS, BUT NOT ON THE ECLIPSE. THAT SAID, MY 2012 MODEL IS THE FINAL MODEL YEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE OFFERED FROM MITSUBISHI. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 90K MILES, AND YET THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR 100K WARRANTY. --- I NOW HAVE TO PAY NEARLY $1300 TO REPLACE BOTH MAIN HEADLIGHT LAMPS AND BOTH ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS, ALONG WITH WIRING BETWEEN. ----- THE VERBIAGE FROM THE RECALL OF THE OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS: ""THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS," SAID NHTSA IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY. "DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, THE VOLTAGE INSIDE THIS ECU MAY BE UNSTABLE. UNSTABLE VOLTAGE COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND WIPERS. IF THE HEADLIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY. IF THE TAILLIGHTS FAIL, THE VEHICLE COULD BE LESS VISIBLE. EITHER CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH." (FROM HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/2010-MITSUBISHI-LANCER-EVOLUTION-AMONG-VEHICLES-RECALLED-FOR-LIGHTING-WIPER-PROBLEM.HTML)
NHTSA complaint #10908240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,174 milesBowling Green, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. AFTER DIAGNOSIS AT A REPAIR SHOP WITH TESTING SYSTEM THE FAULT READS ABS HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. THE SHOP STATED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS A 2012 I SHOULD CONTACT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE A RECALL FOR THE ABS UNIT. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT RECALLS FOR THE ABS UNIT INVOLVED 2006-2009. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE I FEEL A COMPLAINT IS REQUIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10894213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesBIG Rock, VACrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS HEADING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT ON MY CAR. MY CAR HAD FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IF I WAS GOING THE ACTUAL SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 55 MPH, THE DEER COULD HAVE WENT THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD AND WHERE THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF MY HUSBAND AND I COULD BE DEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10608702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.