YearToAvoid

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst out of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes account for 82% of its 71 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles, and NHTSA lists one recall covering the ABS hydraulic unit.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
71/100
#3 of 8 Eclipse years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
71
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
9
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2005
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes58 (82%)
  2. Airbags6 (8%)
  3. Engine4 (6%)
  4. Electrical System3 (4%)
  5. Other3 (4%)
  6. Structure & Body3 (4%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (3%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (1%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brakes fail to respond when the pedal is pressed, sometimes leading to rear-end collisions.
  • Brake pedal stroke becomes noticeably longer than normal before braking finally engages, occurring intermittently.
  • Anti-lock brake warning light illuminates just before the brakes stop responding.
  • Curtain airbags deploy on one side while other airbags fail to activate during a rollover.
  • Steering wheel airbag fails to deploy in a frontal crash after the vehicle leaves the road.
  • Starters fail and need replacement more than once within about a year.
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse complaints: complaints filed per month9May 2010Oct 2013Nov 2014Sep 2015Feb 2016Nov 2016Jul 2021
71 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2010 to May 2026; peak Sep 2015 (9).

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
25.5 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.

2008 compared with other Eclipse years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution5799421
2007Avoid100107421
2008Caution7171121
2009Avoid8642120.5
2010No verdict141020.5

All Mitsubishi Eclipse years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Eclipse carries a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst of 8 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Eclipse years.
What is the main problem with the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 82% of the 71 complaints filed, with owners reporting brake failure at a median mileage of 70,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse have a brake recall?
Yes. NHTSA campaign 15V337000 covers 2006-2009 Eclipse and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles for an ABS hydraulic unit inspection, flush, and clean with high grade brake fluid.
How does the 2008 Eclipse compare to other years?
The 2008 model (Complaint Index 71) is less problematic than the 2007 (100, Avoid) and 2009 (86, Avoid) but worse than the 2005 (29, Good), 2006 (57, Caution), and 2012 (43, Good).
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
EPA rates the 2008 Eclipse at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,475.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.