2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · PR · crash · fire · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH making a sharp turn, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The contact's air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was engulfed in flames within moments. Lucky, the front passenger was able to free the contact in time. The contact sustained fractures on the left clavicular bone, left ulna bone and bruising on chest and face which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2006 · Electrical · 79,499 miles · OH

2001 mitsubishi eclipse gt was running fine for 4 years. On 9/9/06 I got in my car at about 9:00 pm and turned on the lights. As I was driving down the road, I realized that my headlights were not on. I quickly pulled over and checked them. Upon opening my hood, I noticed smoke coming from my headlights and after they cooled, I saw that the connector and wires were melted. I went to the dealer where I bought the car and he advised me that the were out of connectors because the original connectors were not strong enough to take the charge of the light bulb and many people were having the same problem of the connectors just melting off. Mitsubishi now sells a stronger connector for 12.95 each.

Filed Jul 24, 2006 · Lights · 100,000 miles · MI

In my car the headlights will come on but very dim or sometimes not at all. If I hit a bump the headlights will also go out. Moving wire connection on back of headlights will fix the problem momentarily. Problem occurs more and more frequently. The other evening I was driving and both headlights went out. I pulled over and popped the hood and there was smoke coming from the wiring harness. The whole harness was melted off.

Filed Dec 8, 2005 · Transmission · CA · fire

Dt: the contact stated the vehicle caught on fire. It began as a noise and then the engine area caught on fire. They were no unusual indicators before the fire. The vehicle was burned very badly. The cause of the fire was left undetermined, and vehicle was towed to the insurance company's salvage yard. The dealership and the manufacturer where not contacted because the warranty expired. The police department was notified and a report was taken. The insurance company provided the contact a report of a possible cause of the fire. The report stated a hose defect from the manufacturer could have caused the automatic transmission cooling unit and lines to leak over a period of time. Therefore, the fluid leakage from the cooling hose could cause trans axle problems and smoke if the oil contacted the front exhaust pipe.

Filed Nov 17, 2004 · Lights · 33,500 miles · PA

There was a burning smell in my car and the headlights went out, but they would come back on after awhile. Eventually they both went out, and would not come back on. I am getting this repaired at a mitsubishi dealership. They told me that this happens very often with eclipses, and that they would have to replace the sockets.

Filed Dec 4, 2003 · Electrical · 25,121 miles · CT · fire

The vehicle was in park, and the key was taken out of the ignition switch. Vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Consumer noticed black smoke and large flames. Undetermined cause. Dealer notified. Please provide further information.