2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse ranks 6th worst out of 8 model years, with a complaint index of 29 and a Good verdict relative to other Eclipse years. It has 6 complaints, 3 recalls, and no reported crashes or deaths.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 29/100
- #6 of 8 Eclipse years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body3 (50%)
- Electrical System2 (33%)
- Other1 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical wiring near the front lighting area caught fire while parked in a garage after highway driving.
- A burning odor and smoke came from inside the passenger door while driving around 35 mph.
- Electric door locks randomly unlocked themselves minutes after being relocked.
- The ignition interlock system sometimes prevented the car from starting unless the doors were unlocked first, including a stall in rush-hour traffic.
- Wheel rims dented easily from normal potholes and bumps, leading to tire blowouts and repeated rim and tire replacements.
2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V338000Jun 2, 2015Airbags443,442 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 08V454000Sep 9, 2008Fuel System45,988 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Mitsubishi is recalling 45,988 my 2005-2007 endeavor, galant, eclipse coupe, and my 2007 eclipse spyder vehicles. The bracket that is the attachment point for the left rear fuel tank mounting strap may have been improperly formed during a metal stamping process. The process may have caused the metal to have a split in the area where the bolt that holds one of the two fuel tank straps to the underside of the vehicle is located. In the event the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is subject to a severe collision, the bracket may break and allow the fuel tank to drop down, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the left rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket has splitting beyond a specific limit. Vehicles with moderate to severe splitting will be repaired using a reinforcement cap, a special structural adhesive, and a rivet to reinforce the fuel tank mounting bracket. The recall began on september 20, 2008. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
- NHTSA 04V428000Sep 1, 2004Other100,432 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Remedy: 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.
2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
- Among Eclipse model years, 2005 ranks 6th worst out of 8 with a complaint index of 29, giving it a Good verdict relative to other years. It has only 6 complaints and no reported crashes or deaths.
- What problems does the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
- NHTSA complaints point to structure and body issues like door lock and ignition interlock glitches, electrical fires near the front lighting and passenger door areas, and rim damage leading to tire blowouts.
- Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Eclipse covering airbags, a fuel tank mounting bracket, and a bilingual airbag warning label issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Eclipse compare to other years?
- The 2005 Eclipse has a much lower complaint index (29) than the 2006 (57), 2007 (100), 2008 (71), and 2009 (86) model years, all of which carry Caution or Avoid verdicts.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2005 Eclipse?
- NHTSA complaints report 2 fires, both tied to the electrical system, including one that started near the front lighting area and another involving smoke from the passenger door.