2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse — 5 Open Recalls & Full Specs

The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a vehicle from Japan. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2003 Eclipse VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.

Value calculator

Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (28.8%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.

Estimated value
$0

Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.

Overview

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a vehicle sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year.

Specifications at a glance

Basic build info
Model year2003
MakeMitsubishi
ModelEclipse
BodyVehicle
Country of originJapan

Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.

Fuel Economy (2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse)

19
City MPG
25
Highway MPG
21
Combined MPG

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA).

NHTSA safety ratings

—
Overall
—
Frontal
—
Side
—
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Real-world pricing & specs — 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Used-market medians (U.S. listings)

U.S. used-market listings for the 2003 Eclipse (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $2,000 at roughly 151,316 miles, based on 18 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.

Used median price
$2,000
Median mileage
151,316
Sample: 18 listings

Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.

NHTSA safety recalls — 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse

5
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign: 03V442000 · Filed: 04/11/2003

Defect description: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Corrective action: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign: 04V428000 · Filed: 01/09/2004

Defect description: 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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Corrective action: 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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign: 15V338000 · Filed: 02/06/2015

Defect description: 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.

Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Corrective action: 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Campaign: 06E060000 · Filed: 29/06/2006

Defect description: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Corrective action: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Campaign: 06E026000 · Filed: 23/03/2006

Defect description: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Corrective action: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.

Common problems to check on this generation

  • Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
  • Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
  • Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer

Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2003 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.

Owner-reported problems — 2003 Eclipse

166
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.

Most-reported problem areas:

  • STRUCTURE — 33 reports
  • POWER TRAIN — 19 reports
  • AIR BAGS — 11 reports

STRUCTURE — 12/31/2003

WHEN THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE, IT WAS HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH THE BACK SETTING TO HIGH UP. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *MR

STEERING — 12/29/2004

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT - ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2004 - I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK AND MY STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR ENOUGH TO GET TO MY HOME. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND I CALLED MITSUBISHI WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY CAR BACK AND IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP; HOWEVER, I FIND THIS ISSUE T

TIRES — 12/24/2003

TWO OUT OF FOUR TIRES HAD BULGES COMING OUT OF THE SIDEWALLS AFTER LESS THAN 14,000 MILES. TOOK THEM TO GOODYEAR AND THEY BLAMED IT ON ME. THEY SAID THE PLYS DELAMINATED BECAUSE I WAS RUNNING INTO TOO MANY POTHOLES (WHICH I WASN'T). I'VE NEVER HAD A TIRE DO THIS BEFORE. I THINK THE RSA'S ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND A SERIOUS INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE INITIATED ON THESE TIRES, ESPECIALLY THE LOW-PROFILE VERSION. MY TIRE SIZE IS P215/50VR17 , AND CAME STOCK ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE

Source: NHTSA Complaints database. To file a complaint, use nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Check-engine light on your 2003 Eclipse?

Every 1996-and-newer vehicle uses the OBD-II standard. Look up any stored code, then search 2,000+ codes — to see what it means and how urgent it is.

OBD-II code lookup →

Have a question about the 2003 Eclipse?

Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.

Submissions are moderated. We never publish your email. See our privacy policy.

Related guides for 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners & buyers

Frequently asked questions

What are the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse specs?

The 2003 Eclipse is a Vehicle. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.

Are there recalls on the 2003 Eclipse?

Yes — 5 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

How long a used Mitsubishi Eclipse lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.

How do I check this specific 2003 Eclipse?

Enter the VIN above to see the factory-decoded specifications and open recalls. Combine with a free vehicle history check and a pre-purchase inspection.

How much is a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse worth?

Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.

What common problems should I watch for on a 2003 Eclipse?

Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.

Sources on this page: NHTSA vPIC (specifications), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA NCAP (safety), EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG), NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Mitsubishi or any government agency.