FaultScore

Mitsubishi Eclipse acceleration problems

54 of the 2,785 complaints filed about the Mitsubishi Eclipse are about the throttle and cruise control — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

54

Complaints

2%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

1991 Eclipse 4 7.4%
1992 Eclipse 3 5.6%
1993 Eclipse 2 3.7%

Median failure at 112,000 miles

1994 Eclipse 1 1.9%
1995 Eclipse 6 11.1%
1996 Eclipse 7 13.0%
1997 Eclipse 7 13.0%
1998 Eclipse 7 13.0%

Median failure at 91,280 miles

1999 Eclipse 3 5.6%
2000 Eclipse 2 3.7%
2001 Eclipse 4 7.4%

Median failure at 42,000 miles

2002 Eclipse 1 1.9%

Median failure at 172,000 miles

2003 Eclipse 4 7.4%

Median failure at 47,000 miles

2006 Eclipse 1 1.9%

Median failure at 18,000 miles

2008 Eclipse 2 3.7%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

What owners said

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 110,000 miles Hermiston, OR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while stopped at an intersection with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated forward inadvertently. The contact had her husband inspect the vehicle and while he attempted to start the vehicle with his foot depressed on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated forward. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #11426532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 157 miles Central Bridge, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

"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

NHTSA complaint #11023823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 80,000 miles Cuerp, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. I CHECKED FLUID AND EVERYTHING. I DROVE IT AGAIN AND HAD TO MAKE NOT EVEN A SUDDEN STOP AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND ALMOST DID NOT STOP.I HAVE READ ALL OVER THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME THING ON THIS SAME MODEL CAR. NOT SURE WHY THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT YET. I HAVE TWO SMALL YOUNG CHILDREN AND AM AFRAID I ONE DAY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES THERE IS AN AIR OR WHISTLE SOUND COMING FROM THEM. THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE GOOD AND THE CAR IS A 2008 WITH 88,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS NEVER BEEN HARD DRIVEN. NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND IF THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER IS $139 PLUS FRIGHT CHARGE FROM OUT OF STATE AND THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10650306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 18,000 miles Villa Rica, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND NO FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10473820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 172,000 miles Ashburn, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON 95 IN VIRGINIA (ABOUT 20 MINS OUTSIDE OF RICHMOND) MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE'S ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THE CAR ENDED UP OVERHEATING AND THE BRAKES FAILED (THE FRONT DRIVER ROTOR ACTUALLY RIPPED APART) BEFORE I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL.

NHTSA complaint #10426841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 90,000 miles Mount Holly, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY EXTENDED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT A BOLT DETACHED FROM THE THROTTLE CONTROL UNIT AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE ALSO DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10343035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 47,000 miles Tustin, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS ABOUT 6 MOS PRIOR TO THIS RECENT INCIDENT THOUGH I COULDN'T RECALL EXACTLY WHEN. I WAS ON STOP ON AN INTERSECTION TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. JUST AS I SLOWLY RELEASED MY FOOT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND MOVED TOWARDS THE RIGHT LANE OF WHERE I WANTED TO GO HOWEVER THERE WAS STILL INCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO STEER MYSELF TOWARDS THE MIDDLE LANE AND AVOIDED THE INCOMING CAR. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED TODAY: ON MY WAY HOME AND ENTERING MY GARAGE, I HAVE SLOWLY RELEASED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL; THE CAR SIMPLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A MAXIMUM SPEED. I HIT OUR GARAGE WALL. THE WALL HAPPENED TO BE A COMMON WALL TO OUR FAMILY ROOM. THIS BORE A 3' X 4' HOLE IN OUR FAMILY ROOM; THE COUCH WHICH WAS PLACED AGAINST THE WALL MOVED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM -WHICH SHOWS THE EXTENT OF THE SPEED PICK-UP AS WELL AS THE DAMAGE. I AM GLAD TO SHARE PHOTOS OF THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10236650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 112,000 miles Moultrie, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

LATELY THE 1993 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 1.8L HAS BEEN NOT CRANKING UP AFTER IT GETS HOT . I HAVE CHANGED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WITH NO LUCK ON EITHER OF THOSE . SO THE OTHER DAY AROUND 5/10/07 I WAS ABOUT THREE MILES FROM MY HOUSE HEADING INTO TOWN BY MYSELF AND I HEAR A TICK/SPARK COME FROM AROUND THE DASH AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS COMPLETELY OFF AND I HAD NOTHING . NO THROTTLE . NO POWER STEERING . NOTHING !!! I BARELY MADE IT OFF THE ROAD .

NHTSA complaint #10190806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 100,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I BOUGHT MY 98 ECLIPSE, STANDARD, IN 2003, NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD IT IT DIED ON ME ON THE FREEWAY ONE DAY. TURNED OUT IT WAS THE SPEED SENSOR THAT GOT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. ABOUT ANOTHER 6 MONTHS LATER THE FOUND AN OIL LEAK ON THE HEAD GASKET THAT WAS MAKING ME MISFIRE, THAT WAS FIXED. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE ENGINE WENT OUT ON ME BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT WERE SOMEHOW MIXING, MY HOSES WERE OUT, SO WAS MY WATER PUMP, O2 SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP SENSOR, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. WELL I HAD MAJOR WORK DONE EVERYTHING WAS PUT IN NEW, ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY DRIVER DOOR HANDLE FALLS OFF, THAT COST ME 150 DOLLARS! ONE MONTH AFTER THAT, NOW, MY SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND 2 WEEKS LATER MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. ALSO MY CLUTCH IS GOING OUT. SO NOW I CANT DRIVE THE CAR ANY HIGHER THAN 5TH GEAR BECAUSE IT THROWS MY GEAR OUT!!! SINCE I STILL OWE 6K ON THE CAR I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FIX IT. WHICH IS GOING TO END UP COSTING ME, IN ALL I'VE SPENT AND AM ABOUT TO SPEND, AS MUCH AS I STILL OWE ON THE CAR!

NHTSA complaint #10159663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Weatherford, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH AND LET UP ON THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE I WAS GOING TO BRAKE. THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULDN'T STOP. COMING TO A RED LIGHT I STARTED TO PRESS FIRMLY ON MY BRAKES AND WHILE IT MANAGED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN SOME IT WOULDN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I SLOWED DOWN JUST ENOUGH WAYS BACK FROM THE LIGHT THAT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I WAS ABLE TO LET UP ON THE BRAKE WITH OUT GOING INTO TRAFFIC. IT THEN ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY AGAIN. THE CAR SOUNDED AS IF IT SHIFTED AND STOP ACCELERATING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN A WAYS IN FRONT OF THE LIGHT I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE WHILE THEIR LIGHT WAS GREEN. I HAD CARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ME THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OVER.

NHTSA complaint #10158843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 82,560 miles Maitland, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

DT: WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND VEHICLE SPEEDED UP. THE CALLER'S HUSBAND APPLIED THE CLUTCH TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE CLUTCH BLEW OPUT. IT SHOT PIECES OF METAL THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE THROTTLE. DEALER SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING AND WANTED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. SHE WILL HAVE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE TOMORROW. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.

NHTSA complaint #10136736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 42,000 miles Jacksonville, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES OUR 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK IN FRONT OF A BUILDING. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE RPMS INCREASED TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL, THE TIRES BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INTO A BRICK SUPPORT POLE. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10114450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 42,000 miles Chandler, AZ Crash 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE ENGAGING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT ACCELERATED AT 60 MPH. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND WAS AIRBORNE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. VEHICLE ENDED UP LANDING IN AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL. NO REPORT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10092065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 99,500 miles Fayetteville, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED VEHICLE REVVED, AND PICKED UP SPEED. CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM PUMP HOSE WAS THE PROBLEM. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION.

NHTSA complaint #10073698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Wilton, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #565317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Delmont, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WOULD SLIP FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN.

NHTSA complaint #8003489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse Bakersville, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF FOR IT TO COME TO A STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #899283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Midlothian, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND BRING IT TO A STOP BY SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO LOW GEAR AND APPLYING BOTH THE PRIMARY BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. THEREAFTER, WHEN CAR WAS RE-STARTED THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN (THE ENGINE RACED).

NHTSA complaint #752233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Portland, OR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THE CAR FREQUENTLY IDLES LOW (~500RPM) WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM. CAR HAS NO POWER AND WILL SOMETIMES STALL WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS. CAR HAS A 5SP MANUAL TRANSMISSION. HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 14 TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE WITHOUT RESOLUTION. TYPICALLY, THEY RESET THE "CURB IDLE" WHICH RESULTS IN THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON 15 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO REPLACED THE IAC MOTOR AND THE MFI RELAY. LAST TIME, THEY ADJUSTED THE TPS SWITCH AND THE BASE IDLE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS.

NHTSA complaint #752200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse Poria Heights, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 55 MPH REAR TWO TIRES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS MOVING UNCONTROLABLY. VEHICLE MOVED ABOUT 100 FEET UNTIL CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE, SKID MARKS OCCURRED ON STREET. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #895712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse problems