The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Paint and clear coat deterioration.” Mitsubishi publishes short, conservative intervals: oil every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe, and — unlike many rivals — an explicit CVT fluid replacement schedule rather than a 'lifetime fill' claim. Read the severe-service column honestly: stop-and-go city trips, short hops, and hot climates all qualify, and they describe how most Mirages actually live. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays intact only with documented on-schedule service.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
STRUCTURE
27 NHTSA complaints · 2004-10 → 2013-01
“WITH IN 12 MONTHS, PAINT WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR AND FLAKING OFF EXPOSING PRIMER COAT”
“PAINT ON HOOD, TRUNK AND FENDERS IS PEELING, CRACKING, COMING OFF”
“SINCE THAT TIME THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE HAS FADED AND THE CLEAR COAT IS CHIPPING AWAY. THE COLOR IS NOW A MILKY WHITE”
POWER TRAIN
13 NHTSA complaints · 2003-04 → 2008-04
“THE CLUTCH FAILED AFTER ONLY 12,000 MILES”
“MY CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 14,500 MILES. PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT AT AROUND 10,000 MILES AND BECAME CONSIDERABLY WORSE IN TIME”
“SELECTING THE SECOND GEAR OF MY CAR OFTEN CAUSES UNDESIRABLE "GRINDING" AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN THAT GEAR BY USED”
VISIBILITY
6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-10 → 2006-05
“WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, NO CONSTRUCTION, NO TRUCKS IN SIGHT, NOT GOING UNDER AN OVERPASS - MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODES!”
“I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE, SHUT THE DOOR, AND THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERS”
“REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE PARKED IN COVERED PARKING. UNKNOWN CAUSE AND NO INDENTATION (POINT OF IMPACT)”
STEERING
4 NHTSA complaints · 2002-10 → 2015-11
“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVED ROAD AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF. CONSUMER HIT A WALL AS A RESULT”
“WHILE VEERING TO THE LEFT AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING”
“I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN BUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN”
AIR BAGS
9 NHTSA complaints · 2002-10 → 2015-09
“LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60-70 MPH IN THE RAIN, HIT A GUARDRAIL SEVERAL TIMES AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS SO DAMAGED THAT CAR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED”
“UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL”
“MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS CRUSHED I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CERVICAL SPRAIN”
TIRES
13 NHTSA complaints · 2003-12 → 2016-03
“TWO OUT OF FOUR TIRES HAD BULGES COMING OUT OF THE SIDEWALLS AFTER LESS THAN 14,000 MILES”
“WHILE DRIVING LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD WHICH SEPARATED WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE”
“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WENT INTO A SPIN AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-12 → 2010-07
“WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK”
“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”
“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”
STRUCTURE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2007-04 → 2019-07
“DASH IS CRACKING INTO MULTIBLE PIECES DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING MATERIAL/STANDARDS”
“DASHBOARD CRACKS IN MULTIPLES OF AREA'S, WHICH DOES EFFECT THE POSITION OF THE AIRBAG. THE PLASTIC IS VERY BRITTLE TO THE POINT WHEN IT CRACKS IT'S AS SHARP AS A RAZOR”
“WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR IT HAD A MINOR CRACK IN THE DASH BOARD. IT WAS ABOUT 1 INCH LONG. WEEKS LATER, IT GREW”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe. Mirage's 1.2L three-cylinder holds barely over 3 quarts — small sumps punish stretched intervals. 0W-20 on most recent models.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Mitsubishi schedules CVT fluid replacement — commonly every 60,000 miles normal / 30,000 severe (check your year's table). Use only the specified CVT fluid (J4/CVTF-J4 family); generic ATF destroys the belt-and-pulley unit.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Rotate with every oil change. Light Mirages are easy on tires but the economy-focused OEM rubber wears fast when neglected.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors/drums, and lines at each service — Mirage G4 retains rear drums, which need periodic adjustment checks.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace every 2-3 years per the schedule. Cheap job, big ABS-unit insurance.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Iridium plugs commonly every 60,000 miles on the Mirage's 3A92 and Lancer's 4B11 — verify your year's table, as some engines list up to 105,000.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Mitsubishi's schedule replaces the engine air filter every 15,000 miles — shorter than most brands, and a 5-minute DIY on the Mirage.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on cracking. The Mirage's single serpentine belt also drives the A/C — a failure strands the car's accessories at once.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace every 15,000 miles, behind the glovebox. Often skipped at quick-lube visits — worth checking if airflow feels weak.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
First change around 60,000 miles, then roughly every 30,000-45,000 per the schedule. Mitsubishi long-life coolant or equivalent OAT for your year.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually after year 3. Small-battery economy cars have little reserve — the first cold snap finds a weak one.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
242 crashes 1990–2024
How the 242 occupant deaths break down
184
driver deaths
56
passenger deaths
2
not recorded by seat
242
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
22
complaints mentioning a crash
7
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse reflects Mitsubishi's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.