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2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 3 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS hydraulic unit brake pedal loss during stops.” 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.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS hydraulic unit brake pedal loss during stops

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

46 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2025-09

“WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10817169
“HE SAID THAT MY ABS PUMP WAS LEAKING REALLY BAD AND HE CANNOT FIND/BUY THE PART ANYWHERE AND THAT I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10778117
“AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CONGESTED ROAD, I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP AND THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10548962

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS recall repair parts unavailable

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

11 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2016-04

“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861658
“ABS RECALL. NOTIFIED OF RECALL WARNING OF POSSIBLE " REDUCTION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE, INCREASING A RISK OF CRASH WITHOUT WARNING"”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10819761
“THE CAR WAS RECALLED JULY 2015 FOR ABS HYDAULIC BRAKE UNIT BECAUSE IT IS SUSCEPTABLE TO FAILURE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER EACH MONTH AND TILL THIS DAY THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL YET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10807268

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment and SRS warning light faults

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2026-05

“Wiring harness for air bag system that is under driver seat severed by normal seat movement”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11737358
“DASH OF MY CAR STARTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE JUST STARTED POPPING APART IT'S COME APART ALL THE WAY UP TO THE RADIO AND NOW MY PASSENGER AIRBAG KEEPS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10944623
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. ALL THE OTHER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10904493

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 17, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 17, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

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.

CVT Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

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.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

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.

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

47 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

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 2008 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.

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