2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sport compact car that was produced by Mitsubishi in four generations from 1989 until 2011. A convertible body style was added during the 1996 model year.
The first two generations share the automobile platform and parts with the rebadged Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser captive imports. They were built during Mitsubishi Motors' close relationship with Chrysler Corporation. Their partnership was known as Diamond-Star Motors (DSM). In Japan, the first two generations were sold at a specific Japanese retail chain called Mitsubishi Car Plaza. The third, 2000–2005 generation shared a redesigned platform with the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus. In May 2005, the fourth, and final generation Eclipse was introduced, replacing the Chrysler platform used for the third generation with the PS platform.
According to Mitsubishi Motors, the Eclipse was named after an unbeaten 18th-century English racehorse that won 18 races in a row and then retired.
At the end of August 2011, the final Eclipse was manufactured and subsequently auctioned for charity.
In 2017, Mitsubishi resurrected the Eclipse name on a compact crossover vehicle, called the Eclipse Cross.
Social links
Common 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
The Mitsubishi Eclipse, a popular sports car, has its fair share of issues that have been reported by owners of the 2012 model. Here are some of the most common problems based on complaints from owners of this car:
- Manual Transmission Issues: The manual transmission in the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse has been reported to have issues by some owners. This can cause difficulty in shifting gears, which can be a significant safety concern while driving.
- Faulty Brake System: Some owners have reported issues with the brake system in the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. This can cause problems in braking, which can be a significant safety concern while driving.
- Weak Wheels: Some owners have reported that the wheels in the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse are prone to bending. This can cause issues in handling and safety while driving.
- Low Horsepower: Some owners have reported that the acceleration in the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse is sluggish. This can be due to low horsepower, which can be a concern for those looking for a sports car with high performance.
- Cheap Interior Materials: Some owners have reported that the interior materials in the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse are cheap. This can be a concern for those looking for a high-quality interior in their sports car.
It is important to note that not all 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse models will experience these issues, and some may not experience any problems at all. Regular maintenance and servicing of the vehicle can help prevent or mitigate these issues. It is always recommended to consult with a professional mechanic for any concerns or issues with the vehicle.
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse a reliable car?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse received a 4.6 out of 5.0 reliability rating from Kelley Blue Book users, who cited the car's strong performance and low maintenance needs. The car also scored well with EveryAuto users.
Is a Mitsubishi Eclipse expensive to maintain?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Mitsubishi Eclipse is $510, compared to an average of $526 for compact cars and $652 for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
According to repairpal.com, the most common issues drivers experience when using Mitsubishi Eclipse Crosses include but are unlimited to:
- Rattling noises from the clutch.
- Difficulty shifting the manual transmission.
- Brake pedal pulses.
- The exterior door handle breaking.
- Airbags not deploying as they are expected to.
What is the problem with the 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Top 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems
- Rattle Noise From Clutch. 42 people have reported this. ...
- Charging system may stop working due to fuseable link. 27 people have reported this. ...
- The Clutch May Failure Prematurely. 7 people have reported this.
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Eclipse problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Suspension problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-13
- VIN: 4A31K5DF4CE
- Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
- Summary: After a recent oil change, they informed me that the cross bar was very rusted and looks very unsafe. Upon further research I was informed there was a recall for this problem. I am the only owner and at this time all maintenance is up to date. Because the car has low mileage, I want to keep the car so during my research I was informed the part is unavailable. Not sure what to do at this point looking for any suggestions.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-11-18
- VIN: 4A31K5DF6CE
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE VISIBLY EXPOSED FROM THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-04-22
- VIN: 4A31K5DF5CE
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 9/16/15 TOOK VEHICLE TO RIVERSIDE MITSUBISHI DUE TO THE AIRBAG POPPING OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AIRBAG WAS REPLACED AND ISSUED RESOLVED. ON 1/25/16 HAD TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO RIVERSIDE MITSUBISHI DUE TO A BAD RATTLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA, THE AIRBAG WAS REMOVED AND THE SCREWS AND BOLTS WERE RE-TORQUED AND REINSTALLED THE AIRBAG. ON 4/22/19 TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO GALLERY MITSUBISHI -MURRIETA DUE TO THE AIRBAG AND AIRBAG HATCH HAD AGAIN POPPED OUT AGAIN. THE TECHNICIAN AT MITSUBISHI-MURRIETA SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A TECHNICIAN THAT CAN ADEQUATELY DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. WE ALSO CONTACT MITSUBISHI CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THE MITSUBISHI DOES NOT MANUFACTURE THE HATCH OR DASH PARTS ANY LONGER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE MITSUBISHI -MURRIETA FOR 48 HR AND REQUESTED US TO PICK UP WITH NOTHING RESOLVED AND NO REPAIRS MADE, ALONG WITH NO PAPERWORK GIVEN TO US.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-26
- VIN: 4A31K5DF1CE
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DASHBOARD SEPARATION EXPOSING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-01-07
- VIN: 4A31K5DF6CE
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-09-17
- VIN: 4A37L5EF0CE
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS RELATED TO HEADLIGHT OUTAGE, CAUSING FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HI-BEAM LIGHTS. BEGAN WITH SPONTANEOUS YET INFREQUENT HESISTATION-BLINKING ON/OFF OF DRIVER-SIDE HEADLAMP WHEN NIGHTTIME LIGHTS FIRST USED IN THE EVENING, ESPECIALLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS EVENTUALLY LEAD INCREASED TO TOTAL OUTAGE OF FRONT HEADLIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND HI-BEAMS WHICH LED TO UNSAFE NIGHTTIME DRIVING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, WHERE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THIS SAME ISSUE IS A KNOWN RECALL ON OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS, BUT NOT ON THE ECLIPSE. THAT SAID, MY 2012 MODEL IS THE FINAL MODEL YEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE OFFERED FROM MITSUBISHI. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 90K MILES, AND YET THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR 100K WARRANTY. --- I NOW HAVE TO PAY NEARLY $1300 TO REPLACE BOTH MAIN HEADLIGHT LAMPS AND BOTH ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS, ALONG WITH WIRING BETWEEN. ----- THE VERBIAGE FROM THE RECALL OF THE OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS: ""THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS," SAID NHTSA IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY. "DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, THE VOLTAGE INSIDE THIS ECU MAY BE UNSTABLE. UNSTABLE VOLTAGE COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND WIPERS. IF THE HEADLIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY. IF THE TAILLIGHTS FAIL, THE VEHICLE COULD BE LESS VISIBLE. EITHER CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH." (FROM HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/2010-MITSUBISHI-LANCER-EVOLUTION-AMONG-VEHICLES-RECALLED-FOR-LIGHTING-WIPER-PROBLEM.HTML)
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-08-05
- VIN: 4A37L2EF1CE
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. AFTER DIAGNOSIS AT A REPAIR SHOP WITH TESTING SYSTEM THE FAULT READS ABS HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. THE SHOP STATED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS A 2012 I SHOULD CONTACT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE A RECALL FOR THE ABS UNIT. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT RECALLS FOR THE ABS UNIT INVOLVED 2006-2009. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE I FEEL A COMPLAINT IS REQUIRED.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-07-06
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 4A31K5DF0CE
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I WAS HEADING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT ON MY CAR. MY CAR HAD FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IF I WAS GOING THE ACTUAL SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 55 MPH, THE DEER COULD HAVE WENT THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD AND WHERE THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF MY HUSBAND AND I COULD BE DEAD. *JS
Negative 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse car reviews
Positive 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse car reviews
-
You can still get parts.
-
We recently traded in our 2006 Eclipse GT for a 2009 Eclipse GT. I really like the look of the dual exhaust. This time, we opted for the 6-speed standard instead of the automatic transmission and it seems to have so much more power. I'm not sure if they made the back window larger, but it definitely feels easier to see behind you when backing up. I'm looking forward to enjoying the sun-roof when the weather is nicer and the Rockford-Fosgate stereo is absolutely amazing! I love this car and I think I'm hooked on Eclipses forever!
-
Fun, sporty, and paid too much. Your solar yellow car is loved by bees and lightning bugs.
-
Runs smooth with great power and at a good price. The average MPG of 20 is reasonable considering its horsepower. The 650W audio with subwoofer is really amazing and provides good sound quality. Although, the truck can be hard to close and requires a bit of force.
-
I bought this car as a birthday and graduation gift for my son. We took care of everything, from a tune-up and oil change to changing the belts and adding tints. My son loves it! He took it to college with him and fell even more in love with it. It's great on gas and perfect for tall people like my son, who is 6'3. The coupe style is what really won him over.
Other years of Mitsubishi Eclipse
Are you having problems with your 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Kristopher McCullough 2024-03-09
If you are a short female, this car may be a good fit for you. However, I personally had a negative experience with it. The seats caused discomfort in my spinal cord, neck, and hips. Additionally, I found the power to be lacking with the 4cyl engine and the interior to be made of cheap plastic. It's important to consider your own needs and preferences before making a purchase. I am currently looking into purchasing an SUV to better suit my needs. Thank you for considering my experience with this car.
Lane Ortiz 2024-01-29
The car was listed as an automatic, but it turned out to be a stick shift. During the test drive, it made a horrible noise, but the salesman assured me that they would have the shop look at it. Unfortunately, the car did not have Bluetooth or a sunroof, despite being listed with those features. Additionally, the numbers on the stick shift were all rubbed off, and the salesman suggested that I write them back on myself. While the car looked decent cosmetically, with only minor dings and scratches, it was just okay and nothing special. The price was listed at one amount, but they added over $2000 for unknown reasons, bringing the price well over the original amount. When I brought this up, they gave excuses but refused to lower the price, so I decided not to purchase it. I explained that I was looking for an automatic car with Bluetooth, and this car did not meet my needs. Despite this experience, I appreciate the salesman's efforts to address the issues with the car.