Head-to-head reliability
Mitsubishi Eclipse vs Toyota Camry
How the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mitsubishi Eclipse vs Toyota Camry: The Eclipse averages 52 complaints per year with brakes as the top issue (267 complaints), while the Camry averages 206 per year led by power train (385). The Eclipse has fewer annual complaints but more severe brake and airbag reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sporty coupe that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to own as it ages. Over 10 years, it averaged about 52 complaints per year, with brakes being the most common trouble spot. Many reports involve ABS and hydraulic brake problems, including recalls for brake control units. Structural and airbag issues also appear, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a strong reputation, but NHTSA data shows it still generates many complaints—about 206 per year over 10 years. Power train, engine, and brake issues are frequently reported, along with electrical glitches. While the Camry is generally reliable, the volume of complaints suggests that not every example is trouble-free, especially in newer model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mitsubishi Eclipse | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 523 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 70 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 52.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 47 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
- 01SERVICE BRAKES267
- 02STRUCTURE64
- 03AIR BAGS57
- 04HYDRAULIC44
- 05POWER TRAIN36
Owners report ABS and hydraulic brake failures, such as the brake pedal going to the floor or ABS control module problems. Recalls for these issues mean parts may be hard to get, leaving drivers without a fix for months.
Complaints include loud metal cracking sounds and even small fires near the front lighting area. These suggest potential frame or body integrity issues that could affect safety and repair costs.
Reports describe passenger-side airbags popping out or failing to deploy in a crash. This is a serious safety concern, and recalls for inflator modules indicate a known defect.
Hydraulic brake problems, often tied to ABS, cause the brake pedal to sink. Owners have waited over a year for recall parts, making braking reliability a major worry.
“MY 2008 ECLIPSE HAD AN OPEN RECALL ON ISSUES WITH ABS FOR OVER A YEAR. AFTER A YEAR I WAS FINALLY NOTIFIED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER MUCH HASSLE DEALING WITH THE LOCAL DEAL I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR. THE SERVICE CENTER CLAIMED TO…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) IN JULY OF 2015. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLDSTEIN MITSUBISHI (613 NEW LOUDON RD, LATHAM, NY 12110, (518) 69…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of newer Camrys report shuddering, hesitation, and ignition key stuck issues. These can leave you stranded or unable to remove the key, pointing to transmission or electronic control problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and check engine lights. This can make merging or accelerating unpredictable, and may require costly diagnostics.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating from the ABS. These issues can prevent the car from moving or indicate brake system faults.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction at once. This suggests electrical gremlins that are hard to diagnose and fix.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mitsubishi Eclipse — 24 recalls
The 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, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: 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 custom…
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system…
The risk: A sudden reduction of braking performance may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may seize, the ABS unit will be replaced. The recall began on J…
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system…
The risk: A sudden reduction of braking performance may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may seize, the ABS unit will be replaced. The recall began on J…
The defect: MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE META…
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNTING BRACKET HAS SPLITTING BEYOND A SPECIFIC LIMIT. VEHICLES WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE SPLITTING WILL BE REPAIRED USING A REINFORCEMENT CAP, A SPECIAL STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE, AND…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mitsubishi Eclipse or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse has far fewer complaints per year (about 52) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Eclipse's issues are concentrated in critical safety areas like brakes and airbags. The Camry's higher volume means more overall reports, but many are for less severe problems. In practice, the Eclipse may need more urgent repairs, while the Camry may have more frequent but varied annoyances.
Key differences
- The Eclipse has about 52 complaints per year, while the Camry has about 206, but the Eclipse's top issue is brakes (267 complaints) versus the Camry's power train (385).
- Eclipse owners report brake pedal going to the floor and airbag failures, while Camry owners report shuddering, hesitation, and electronic parking brake problems.
- The Eclipse has 24 recalls over 10 years, including for ABS and airbags; the Camry has 31 recalls, including for wheels and seats.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the Camry (171) than the Eclipse (70), but the Eclipse has more injuries per complaint (47 injuries from 523 complaints vs. 158 from 2056).
- Check for any open recalls on the ABS/brake control unit and ensure the fix has been applied; test the brake pedal for firmness and any sinking.
- Inspect the front structure for cracks or fire damage near the headlights, and verify the passenger airbag has been replaced if recalled.
- Test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area.
- During a test drive, watch for hesitation, shuddering, or delayed acceleration, and check that the ignition key can be removed easily when in Park.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any outstanding recalls on both models, especially brakes and airbags.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system, including ABS and hydraulic components, for both cars.
- For the Eclipse, check the frame and undercarriage for rust or cracks, and test all airbags if possible.
- For the Camry, scan for stored trouble codes related to the transmission, engine, and electrical systems.
- Take a lengthy test drive covering various speeds and include parking maneuvers to check the electronic parking brake and key removal.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mitsubishi Eclipse or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mitsubishi Eclipse vs Toyota Camry
- Mitsubishi Eclipse total complaints
- 523
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mitsubishi Eclipse total recalls
- 24
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mitsubishi Eclipse avg complaints/year
- 52.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mitsubishi Eclipse
- Mitsubishi Eclipse top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN