2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse ranks 2nd-worst out of 8 model years, with a complaint index of 86 and 42 NHTSA complaints, most tied to brakes. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven largely by 28 brake-related complaints causing 6 crashes and 5 injuries.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 86/100
- #2 of 8 Eclipse years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 42
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 17.5 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes28 (67%)
- Airbags8 (19%)
- Structure & Body6 (14%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)
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 reportedly fails to engage or provides no resistance, causing the vehicle to travel to the floor without slowing down.
- Owners describe brake failure occurring at low speeds (around 2 mph and 20 mph) as well as at highway speed (65 mph), leading to collisions.
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy during crashes, including driver, passenger, and side curtain airbags.
- One owner found a dash pad covering the passenger airbag had come unglued, physically blocking deployment.
- A transmission reportedly shifted unexpectedly from third gear to neutral and failed to accelerate, requiring replacement.
- A hole reportedly wore through the floor carpet near the gas pedal within a short distance, catching drivers' shoe heels.
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,575
- 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.
2009 compared with other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
- Compared to other Eclipse model years, the 2009 ranks 2nd-worst of 8 years tracked, with a complaint index of 86 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the main problem with the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 28 of 42 complaints (67%) and 6 of 8 reported crashes, with a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 15V337000 covers 2006-2009 Eclipse and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles for a brake ABS hydraulic unit issue; dealers inspect, flush, and clean the unit with high-grade brake fluid.
- How does the 2009 Eclipse compare to other years?
- The 2007 Eclipse has the worst complaint index at 100, followed by the 2009 at 86; the 2005 (index 29) and 2012 (index 43) rank as Good years.
- Were there airbag deployment failures reported?
- Yes. Multiple owners reported that airbags failed to deploy in crashes, including one case where a loose dash pad physically blocked the passenger airbag.