2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse body problems

Filed Sep 28, 2015 · Body, Electrical · 150,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse. The contact stated that while driving, there was an odor of fuel present. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also indicated that water had leaked from the floor board causing the brake pedal to become slippery. In addition, the vehicle would not start. While checking the battery connection the contact discovered that the battery cable was smoking and had melted. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air conditioning hose that failed caused the water leak. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2015 · Body, Visibility · 109,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Jan 9, 2013 · Body · IL

I have a 2003 sterling silver metallic eclipse which I purchased new in 2002. I have noticed that the paint on my hood, roof and truck have started to delaminate and the primer is starting to show through. I only have 73,000 miles on this vehicle. I have noticed a lot of other 2003 eclipses with the same problem, in the same color as mine and also in black. I went to the dealer where I purchased my eclipse and was told that mitsubishi was having a paint issue for this model. I am hoping that mitsubishi will stand behind their name and make this right. I also purchased a 2003 chevy silverado in 2002 and that paint job looks like the day I drove it off the lot. I should have bought 2 of them.

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Body · CA

I have had the car since 2003 or 04, and kept the car covered when I didn't drive it much, but for weekends I used the car for errands. Last year I started to drive the car more often and did not cover the car as much, but continued to wash and wax the car when needed. I started to notice fading spots on the hood on the black paint, but did not do anything about it, but continued to wash and wax the car as usual. This year, around march, I noticed the color started to get more white and it was spreading half way on the hood near the windshield side. Now the paint is also chipping within the white spots exposing the undercoating. The fading on the paint is also noticeable on the trunk and side panels on the top.

Filed Jun 5, 2010 · Body · 19,000 miles · CT

Purchased 2003 silver eclipse gs with 5000 miles in june 2003. With in 12 months, paint was showing signs of wear and flaking off exposing primer coat. This deterioration progressed quickly and after 5 years hood, roof and rear quarter panels are almost completely down to primer. I am filing now to hopefully raise the number of complaints to the point where somebody realizes this is not an isolated incident but a systemic defect for which mitsubishi should be held accountable.

Filed Jun 15, 2009 · Body · 49,500 miles · NJ

Carpet on driver side front and back completed soaked with water everytime it rains .car always smells moldy. Have had it checked but noone can figure it out.

Filed May 13, 2009 · Body · 32,000 miles · WA

Purchased brand new 2003 eclipse in 2004. I am experiencing paint delamination and it's spreading rapidly. Went to the mitsubishi dealer after finding out many others are experiencing this problem. They took pictures and said they will contact mitsubishi. I was notified the next day that my car has been declined any help due to expiration in warranty.

Filed Feb 17, 2009 · Body · 69,000 miles · NV

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse. When the contact bought the vehicle, she noticed that the paint was fading from gray to white. Through online research, she found a few complaints about the same defect on her vehicle. The dealer stated that there was a recall for the vehicle's paint, but her vehicle was excluded since it was purchased in 2006. The vehicle is currently at the insurance company, but would have to be repaired at the owner's expense. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 69,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2009 · Body · SC

I own a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse, black. When I purchased the car, the paint appeared perfect, but in less than one year very bad 'sunbleached' or oxidized spots have appeared on the roof and trunk and appear to be getting worse in a hurry. The car has been washed and waxed regularly since I purchased it. Since these spots have shown up, I have been looking at other eclipses around my area, and literally every single black eclipse I see - probably upwards of 30 cars (2000-2003) - has the same problem, not to mention the thousands of online posts I have seen mentioning this same problem. I would like to know if there is any way to have the dealership pay for a new paintjob with current black paint (I do not want the same 2003 paint put on, only to have the same problem occur in 4 years) thank you very much!

Filed Aug 5, 2008 · Body · 90,000 miles · PA

I own a black 2003 mitsubishi eclipse. On or about june 1, 2007 I noticed a mysterious white spot forming on the roof of my car. Within the next month or so, the white spot turned into several white spots and now currently on august 5, 2008 the entire roof is covered in white and one has even turned to rust. I contacted a mitsubishi dealership and was told that the car is not covered after 36,000 miles. My question is, what does mileage have to do with paint? I then did some research online and found out that this is a very common problem with mitsubishi vehicles produced around 2003 and that the issue is due to a defect in the primer used by the company. So why doesn't mitsubishi fess up to their problem and fix the mess? There are thousands if not millions of dissatisfied customers with newer vehicles that look horrible. In my case, I own a fairly new vehicle that I am still making payments on that looks absolutely worthless. I am ashamed to own this vehicle, it looks like I don't take care of my car. When it all actuality, this is not my fault. I would appreciate any help with this matter. I would like mitsubishi to repaint my car at no cost to me.