2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Body, Seats & Latches

Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 6 of 20 complaints (30%) mention it.

Complaints filed fell from 151 in 2003 to 20 in 2004.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2004: 6 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20022003200420052006vs. 2004 Subcompact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,700–3,9002,600–3,9002,700–3,7002,700–3,9002,700–4,100
Combined MPG20–2320–2420–2320–2319–23
City / Highway MPG17–20 / 24–2818–21 / 24–2918–20 / 24–2818–20 / 24–2816–20 / 25–28
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)386–444370–444386–444386–444386–468
Complaints filed9715120899Not compared
Recalls issued45544Not compared
Crash-involved complaints1020809Not compared
Fire-involved complaints57130Not compared
Injuries reported1114615Not compared
Deaths reported10000Not compared
Configurations compared58774

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Body, Seats & Latches: 6 of 20 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?

EPA rates it 20–23 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

EPA estimates $2,700–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (13)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 5-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMinicompact Cars20 mpg (high)28 mpg (high)23 mpg (high)$2,700 (low)386 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic (S4)42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMinicompact Cars18 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)20 mpg (low)$3,100444 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Manual 5-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars18 mpg (low)26 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars18 mpg (low)26 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi
Configuration 5Automatic (S4)63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars18 mpg (low)25 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi
Configuration 6Automatic (S4)63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars18 mpg (low)25 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi
Configuration 7Automatic 4-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars19 mpg25 mpg21 mpg$2,950423 g/mi
Configuration 8Manual 5-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars20 mpg (high)28 mpg (high)23 mpg (high)$2,700 (low)386 g/mi (low)
Configuration 9Automatic (S4)42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars19 mpg25 mpg21 mpg$2,950423 g/mi
Configuration 10Manual 5-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars18 mpg (low)26 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi
Configuration 11Manual 5-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars18 mpg (low)27 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi
Configuration 12Automatic (S4)63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars18 mpg (low)25 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi
Configuration 13Automatic (S4)63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars18 mpg (low)25 mpg21 mpg$3,700 (high)423 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine11000
Transmission & Drivetrain00000
Fuel System30100
Electrical10100
Brakes32000
Steering31010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires33020
Airbags & Restraints43020
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches61010
Visibility & Lighting00000
Other10100

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (5)

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 15V338000 · Jun 2, 2015

    Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

    Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

    Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

  • EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 04V428000 · Sep 3, 2004

    Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

    Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

    Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 04V312000 · Jun 29, 2004

    Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.

    Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 03V442000 · Nov 5, 2003

    Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

    Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.