RoadVitals

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Jan 11, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 124 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsVisibility
Filed Jan 11, 2018
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSED ME TO VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT FOR SAFETY.PASSENGER VISOR FLEW OFF HIT MY ARM AND FLEW OUT WINDOW. UNABLE TO SEE WITH AIRBAG IN MY FACE I ENDED UP HALF ON AND HALF OFF A CULVERT WITH CEMENT PIPE.CAR STOPPED AND THEN MY DRIVER AIRBAG SHOT FIRE AND CHEMICALS INTO MY FACE.HORRIBLE STILL AFTER A WHOLE YEAR NOONE CARES NOONE HELPS NO THERAPY FOLLOW UP NONE ONLY ER WHEN I CAN NO LONGER TOLERATE THE EXTREME PAIN.2 TITANIUM RODS N 38 SCREWS HOLD IT TOGETHER. SOME SCREWS ARE COMING OFF AND 3 BONES ARE STILL SHATTERED. SOME ARE EVEN MISSING. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ID
11062091
Incident
Oct 29, 2016
Mileage
135,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 26, 2015

RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM MITSUBISHI ON THE PASSENGER SUN VISOR REQUIRING A TETHER STRAP. I CALLED THEIR TOLL FREE NUMBER TO LOCATE A DEALER TO INSTALL THE TETHER STRAP AS DIRECTED BY THE NOTICE. MITSUBISHI DOES NOT HAVE A DEALER IN TUCSON AND INFORMED ME WE NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A PHOENIX DEALER, OVER A 100 MILES AWAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE COST OF GAS AND THE TRAVEL TIME (OFF WORK OR MISSING SCHOOL) IS HIGHER THAN THE PARTS AND LABOR FOR .5 OF AN HOUR LABOR. THEY HAVE NOT MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH A LOCAL TUCSON CAR REPAIR FACILITY TO PERFORM THIS RECALL, NOR DID THEY OFFER TO SEND ME THE PARTS FOR SELF INSTALLATION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY POOR RESPONSE TO A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. CAN YOU ASSIST AS I KNOW THERE ARE MORE OF THE SAME VEHICLE IN TUCSON.

NHTSA ID
10759618
Incident
Aug 26, 2015
Mileage
165,281 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 23, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK AND SUN ROOF HAD WATER LEAKAGE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10701095
Incident
Feb 15, 2009
Mileage
109,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 23, 2006

SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR NIGHT, NO ROCKS ON THE ROAD WAY, AND ONE VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AHEAD WHEN MY GLASS SHATTERED. WHEN THE CLOSED SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED IT SOUNDED LIKE A SOMETHING FELL FROM THE SKY ON THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT HAD HAPPENED, BUT THERE WAS ONLY THE SHATTERED GLASS ALL OVER THE ROOF AND TRUNK OF MY CAR. I INSPECTED THE SHATTERED GLASS LAYING ON THE ROOF, INTERIOR SLIDE AND TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE FOR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE SUN ROOF SHATTER, YET THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. FORTUNATELY THE INTERIOR ROOF SLIDE WAS CLOSED, STOPPING THE EXPLODING SHATTERED GLASS FROM INJURING MY DAUGHTER AND I SITTING IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS BELOW THE SUN ROOF. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH IF THE INTERIOR ROOF SLIDE IS NOT CLOSED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158108
Incident
May 22, 2006
Mileage
77,992 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 8, 2005

I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE, SHUT THE DOOR, AND THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP (AN ACTUAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AS OPPOSED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS A CHEVY DEALERSHIP) WHERE THE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE IF IT WERE FAULTY GLASS THEN IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED MUCH SOONER. I RESPONDED BY ASKING IF THAT IS TRUE, THEN ALL OTHER WARRANTY ISSUES HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY AND NOT OVER TIME? IF SO, THEN WHY HAVE WARRANTIES THAT LAST FOR YEARS? HE SEEMED UPSET THAT I WOULD QUESTION HIM ABOUT IT AND SAID THAT EVEN IF I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE REPLACED BY THE COMPANY UNDER WARRANTY. I ALSO BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION THE LIABILITY ISSUED ASSOCIATED WITH SHATTERING SUNROOFS THAT COULD BE SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF BRIDGESTONE/FORD. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FIND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 90'S WITH THE 3000GT. HOW CAN I GET THE COMPANY TO REPLACE THIS? *NM

NHTSA ID
10131923
Incident
Aug 6, 2005
Mileage
29,500 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension+1 more
Filed Nov 6, 2004

HAVE A 2003 ECLIPSE AND MANY MANY PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING. AFTER REGULAR SCHEDULED TIRE BALANCE AND ROTATION, TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE OF SHAKING AT 50-60 MPH, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE RIMS WERE BENT, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY DID (RIGHT AFTER BALANCE AND ROTATING? WOULD THEY BALANCE IF THE RIMS WERE BENT?) HAD MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR MOISTURE IN MY WINDOWS WHEN PUTTING THEM DOWN AND BACK UP, A LOT OF MOISTURE AND BAD VISIBILITY, REPLACED STRIPS WHICH HELPED MOLD SMELL, BUT CAN'T FIX THE MOISTURE. B/C OF THE BAD VISIBILITY I AM EXTRA CAREFUL, BUT MY CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. RECENTLY THE MOLDING ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING LOOSE, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT (SENT IT TO A WINDOW PLACE) AND SINCE THEN I HAVE A FILM ON MY WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE...I HAVE CLEANED THE GLASS NUMEROUS TIMES, MY WIPERS WERE FAIRLY NEW, MITSBUSHI WOULDN'T LOOK AT IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR ANOTHER RIM REPLACEMENT. MY CAR STILL SHAKES, MY WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD HAVE BAD VISIBILITY PROBLEMS, AND NOW MY SUNROOF BUTTON HAS POPPED OUT AND WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS I HOLD IT IN FIRST. *JB

NHTSA ID
10098389
Incident
Oct 22, 2004
Body & structureEngineExterior lighting+3 more
Filed Sep 20, 2004

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS 2003. THE PRODUCT HAS NOT PERFORMED WELL BECAUSE DURING THE SIX MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD MY BRAND NEW CAR, I HAD TO BRING IT FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS. FIRST, THE CAR WENT TO THE SHOP AT MITSUBISHI BOSAK CHICAGO FOR A LOOSE BOLT, SECOND THE CAR HAD A LEAK ON THE COOLANT SYSTEM, THIRD THE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ALIGNED, AND FOURTH THE REAR DEFROSTER DOES NOT DEFROST PROPERLY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED OF THAT MATTER BECAUSE ONE OF THE REASON I INVESTED MY MONEY IN BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR AND CHOOSING MITSUBISHI SO I DONT HAVE TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR AND SPEND MORE CASH. THE CAR WAS ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD AND ALREADY EXPERIENCING A LOT OF PROBLEMS, NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN A YEAR AND I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO MITSUBISHI BOSAK DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR LIGHT FIXED BECAUSE WATER WAS GOING INSIDE AND STILL WAITING TO HAVE THE SUNROOF TO BE FIX BECAUSE IT DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND THE AXLE OF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THEY WOULDNT REPLACE IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ITEM TO BE DELIVERED. WHAT IF DURING THAT TIME OF WAIT SOMETHING HAPPEN TO THE CAR? (MAY GOD FORBID) I HAVE BEFORE TRY TO COMPLAIN WITH THE MITSUBISHI HEADQUARTER IN CALIFORNIA, BUT THE PERSON WOULDNT DO ANYTHING. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE OF MY CAR. I THINK THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD CHECK THEIR ENTIRE PRODUCT BEFORE SELLING IT TO THE PUBLIC. DRIVING MY ECLIPSE IS SOMETHING THAT I FEAR BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE CARS DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10091344
Incident
Jun 10, 2003
Fuel systemTransmissionVisibility
Filed Aug 24, 2004

MY 2003 ECLIPSE GTS HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT THINGS IN A MATTER OF 8 MONTHS. 4 SEPERATE TIMES I HAD BROUGHT IT IN FOR A JERKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS THE MATTER AND IT WAS FINE. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISION NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. ALSO 20 DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 4 TIMES I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECUASE WHEN THE SUNROOF OPENS IT JERKS REALLY BAD. EVERY TIME I WENT THERE ALL THEY DID WAS GREASE IT AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. AT 17,000 THE POWER MIRROR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THAT WAS REPLACED. TODAY 8/23/04 AT 20,000 I JUST DROPPED IT OFF FOR THE SUNROOF (AGAIN) AND INFORMED THEM MY WHEEL SHOOK WHILE BRAKING AND WAS JUST NOTIFIED THAT MY ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST TO ME WAS $200.00 FOR A CAR WITH 20,000 MILES AND 1 YEAR OLD. MITSUBISHI STATES THEY HAVE THE BEST BACKED CARS BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THEY DO NOT BACK THIER CARS UP WHEN IT MATTERS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10088460
Incident
Aug 23, 2004
Mileage
2,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 28, 2004

WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, NO CONSTRUCTION, NO TRUCKS IN SIGHT, NOT GOING UNDER AN OVERPASS - MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODES! THE SUNROOF HAD ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY OPEN, AND THE INTERIOR SLIDE WAS ONLY OPENED JUST SLIGHTLY. THIS WAS LUCKY, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS. EVEN THOUGH IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. I HAVE RESEARCHED WINDOW EXPLOSIONS ON ECLIPSES AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. WHAT CAN I DO AND CAN I GET THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR DUE TO DEFECT?*AK

NHTSA ID
10078915
Incident
Jun 27, 2004
Visibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

WE BOUGHT A 2003 ECLIPSE FROM SUN COAST MIS. RIGHT AWAY WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMELL OF MOLD. FINALLY WE TOOK THE CAR IN ON A RAINY DAY AND MY WIFE GOT OUT OF THE BACK SEAT TOTALLY WET. THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT WE WERE BACK AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS LAST TIME WE TOOK THE CAR IN WE COULD SMELL MOLD AGAIN. THEY FOUND ANOTHER LEAK AT THE FIRE WALL ON THE PASS. SIDE. WE LIVE 66 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE HAD OUR CAR FOR REPAIRS OVER 30 DAYS. WE HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LIKE PAINT CHIPS ON THE HOOD, SIDE MIRROW HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE RADIO CD HAD TO BE FIXED AND OTHER THINGS.

NHTSA ID
10070427
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Oct 1, 2003

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 3 MPH AND MAKING A TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET, THE VEHICLE HIT A CURB WHICH CAUSED A DENT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE SITTING IN AN ENCLOSED BODY SHOP, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. *AK. THE CONSUMER HAD TWO EXPERTS LOOK AT THE WINDOW AND IN THEIR OPINION STATED IT WAS A DEFECT, THAT A WINDOW SHOULD NOT EXPLODED FROM HITTING A CURB AT SUCH LOW SPEED, BUT THE MITSUBISHI EXPERT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE CURB, IT TWISTED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND WAS PART OF A FENDER BENDER. *JB *JB

NHTSA ID
10038437
Incident
Sep 8, 2003
Visibility
Filed Oct 1, 2003

WHILE DRIVING UNDER FOGGY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE DEFROSTER HAD BEEN RUNNING ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THEN THE DRIVER TURNED OFF THE DEFROSTER AND TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE DRIVER SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD BANG NEAR THE REAR WINDOW, THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SAW TWO HOLES IN THE REAR WINDOW NEAR THE DEFROSTER VENT HOSE WHICH CAUSED THE REAR WINDOW TO CRACK. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10034228
Powertrain (other)Tires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Oct 26, 2002

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, AND WHAT A MISTAKE IT WAS. I HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS OF DECLARING THE LEMON LAW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS 8 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE BOOT SPLIT AND LEAKED GREASE. THE FOG LIGHTS FILL WITH MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION DUE TOO INADEQUATE VENTING. THE WINDOWS DON'T SEAL TOO THE BODY ON THE CONVERTIBLE CAUSING WATER LEAKS, AND THE SEALS LOCATED ON THE QUARTER GLASS RUB THE DOOR WINDOW WHICH ALLOWS THE RUBBER TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND CREATE ADDITIONAL LEAKS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR QUARTER GLASS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN 4,000 MILES. THE CAR VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE BAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT TWO REPLACED BECAUSE THE TREAD WAS SEPERATING INTERNALLY ON THE TIRES. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH DEFECTS. PLEASE HELP DT

NHTSA ID
768910
Incident
Oct 1, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .