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2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 5MT

The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 5MT is a 154-hp 2.4-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $18,692 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 154 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The Eclipse measures 175.4 inches long on a 100.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,822 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$18,692 ($33,016 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.4-liter SOHC 16-valve I4 (4G64)
Displacement2.4 L
Horsepower154 hp
Torque163 lb-ft
ValvetrainSOHC, 16-valve
Bore and Stroke86.5 x 100.0
Compression Ratio9.0:1
Injection TypeMulti-port fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway29 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular
Dimensions & Weight
Length175.4 in
Width68.9 in
Height51.6 in
Wheelbase100.8 in
Curb Weight2,822 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR.

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 2, 2015 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V338000

Jun 29, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

NHTSA campaign 06E060000

Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA campaign 06E026000

Sep 1, 2004 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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.

NHTSA campaign 04V428000

Nov 4, 2003 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

NHTSA campaign 03V442000

166 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE

Owner Complaints

166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE (22 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 12 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure40
Power Train25
Air Bags15
Tires15
Engine And Engine Cooling14
Visibility14
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 24, 2025 · Unknown Or Other
“The crankshaft sensor is faulty and isn't working properly so my car has been shutting off randomly while I am driving it.”
Jul 25, 2019 · Unknown Or Other
“DASHBOARD CRACKS IN MULTIPLES OF AREA'S, WHICH DOES EFFECT THE POSITION OF THE AIRBAG. THE PLASTIC IS VERY BRITTLE TO THE POINT WHEN IT CRACKS IT'S AS SHARP AS A RAZOR. I REVIEWED SEVERAL WEB SITE AND…”
Jan 11, 2018 · Air Bags, Visibility/Wiper Crash Fire 1 injury
“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…”
Sep 18, 2017 · Power Train, Air Bags, Structure Crash Fire 1 injury
“TAKATA AIRBAG: MY INCIDENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. I AM ADDING THE POLICE REPORT. I AM STILL REQUIRING SURGERY AND UNABLE TO USE MY LEFT ARM 10 MONTHS LATER.”
Aug 24, 2017 · Electrical System Fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE ROLLING DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE WINDOW SWITCH AREA. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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