2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse carries a Complaint Index of 57 and ranks 4th worst of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes account for 72% of its 99 complaints, and NHTSA lists 4 recalls including two separate brake-related campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #4 of 8 Eclipse years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 99
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes71 (72%)
- Airbags11 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (6%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
- Engine4 (4%)
- Electrical System3 (3%)
- Other3 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
- Steering1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal loses pressure or fails to respond suddenly, sometimes causing a crash into another vehicle, a curb, or a fire hydrant.
- Airbags fail to deploy during frontal or rear-impact collisions, in some cases leading to injury.
- Rear tires blow out from sidewall separation or tread failure at low mileage, causing loss of control at highway speed.
- Rear brake rotors develop vibration and need polishing at low mileage, described by owners as unusual for the car's age.
- Instrument cluster malfunctions and requires extended repair time.
2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V337000Jun 2, 2015Brakes74,836 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system (ABS) unit, one or more of the internal valves may seize. In a braking event that uses the ABS, a seized valve would increase brake pedal travel and reduce braking ability.
Risk: A sudden reduction of braking performance may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may seize, the ABS unit will be replaced. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-004.
- 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 05V299000Jun 27, 2005Brakes3,760 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
On certain passenger vehicles, one of four seals inside the master cylinder may have been installed improperly. As a result, the master cylinder may unexpectedly by-pass hydraulic braking force pressure and allow a longer than normal pedal stroke.
Risk: Should this condition occur, the braking distance required to stop the vehicle may increase and could lead to a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the master cylinder assembly free of charge. The recall began june 28, 2005. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.
2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,475
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2006 compared with other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Eclipse has a Complaint Index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among the 8 model years with data.
- What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 71 of 99 complaints (72%), with a median mileage at failure of 80,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 Eclipse, covering brake master cylinder seals, a brake booster defect, a fuel tank strap bracket issue, and an ABS hydraulic unit fluid flush.
- How does the 2006 Eclipse compare to other Eclipse years?
- The 2006 model's Complaint Index of 57 is worse than 2005 (29, Good) and 2012 (43, Good) but better than 2007 (100, Avoid) and 2009 (86, Avoid).