2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems

Good Record

The 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse has only 6 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls, but the low data volume means buyers should proceed with caution. Based on 6 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Electrical Faults the most reported area.

20047 years2006

Before you buy

This 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 6 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.

A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.

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6
Complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
Fatalities
4
Recalls

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse Fuel Economy

✓ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

19
MPG City
1820 range
25
MPG Hwy
2428 range
21
MPG Combined
2023 range
423
g CO₂/mile
Regular Gasoline
⚠️Costs $3,500 more than avg vehicle over 5 years

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse Safety Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Program

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated
Stability Control: NoForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2005 has 6 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Top issues include electrical faults and door lock problems, each with 2 complaints. No crash-related reports were filed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse — key reliability facts
Make
Mitsubishi
Model
Eclipse
Model year
2005
NHTSA owner complaints
6
Crash-related complaints
0
Safety recall campaigns
4
Top reported component
Electrical Faults
Reliability signal
Good Record
EPA MPG combined
21
EPA MPG city / highway
19 / 25
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
Electronic stability control
No

Common problems

Most common 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
2
complaints

Electrical Faults

Fires:2
#2
2
complaints

Door Lock Issues

#3
1
complaints

Uncategorized Issues

Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Door Lock Issues, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Buyer verdict

Should you buy a used 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

With only 6 complaints and no crash-related reports, the 2005 Eclipse appears relatively trouble-free, but the low data volume limits confidence. Buyers should still inspect for electrical and door lock issues.

Electrical faults and door lock problems can lead to inconvenient failures and costly repairs, making pre-purchase inspection critical.

May Suit

Budget-conscious buyers seeking a sporty coupe with low complaint volume may find the 2005 Eclipse acceptable.

May Want to Avoid

Buyers who prioritize high reliability data or want a model with extensive positive owner feedback should consider other years or vehicles.

Pre-purchase

What to check before buying a used 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect electrical system for faults.
  • Check door lock operation on all doors.
  • Verify headlights and taillights function properly.

Before You Close the Deal

  • Inspect electrical system for faults.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for electrical and door lock components.
  • Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

AI verdict

What the complaint data suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse shows a low number of owner complaints (6 total) and 4 recalls. The top complaint components are electrical faults and door lock issues, each with 2 complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.

Year context: Compared to other model years, the 2005 Eclipse has a low complaint count, but data is insufficient to rank it against higher- or lower-complaint years.

Recall context: With 4 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase.

Key Findings
  • Electrical faults account for 2 of 6 total complaints.
  • Door lock issues also account for 2 complaints.
  • No crash-related complaints were reported.
Top Concerns
  • Electrical faults (2 complaints)
  • Door lock issues (2 complaints)
  • Headlight/taillight failures (1 complaint)
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. With only 6 complaints, the data may not represent the full owner experience.

Full breakdown

All 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Electrical Faults22
Door Lock Issues2
Uncategorized Issues1
Headlight/Taillight Failures11
Structural Problems11
Wheel Issues1

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

In their words

Real owner complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Showing 6 most recent complaints

Uncategorized IssuesJul 7, 2018

WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONING THE WATER COMES IN SIDE MY FRONT FLOOR.

Electrical Faults FireJan 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR AND A STREAM OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE …

Electrical Faults FireMar 10, 2014

IN THE MORNING, I DROVE THIS MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2005 TO WORK(35 MILES AWAY FROM HOME), IT WAS OK. AFTER WORK, I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE, ENTERED OUR GARAGE, I GOT OFF THE CAR, I SAW A SMALL FIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHTING PLACE, THEN I QUICKLY BACKED MY CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, TH…

Wheel IssuesJan 16, 2005

THE RIMS ON THE 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE DENT EASILY AND THE TIRES BLOW OUT OR LOSE PRESSURE AS A RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND DRIVING. NORMAL POTHOLES AND BUMPS ARE ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE. I HAD A BLOWOUT YESTERDAY JANUARY 15TH, 2005. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 2 RIMS AND 3 TIRES…

Door Lock IssuesNov 1, 2004

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS. I NOTICED THAT IF I CLOSE THE DOOR, LOCK THE DOOR, AND THEN TRY TO START THE CAR... IT WON'T. I HAVE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS BEFORE IT WILL START. *AK ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING, IN STOPPED, RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC, I STALLED MY V…

Door Lock IssuesOct 31, 2004

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME IN MY BRAND NEW 2005 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY UNLOCKED. THINKING I MUST HAVE RESTED MY ARM ON THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON, I SIMPLY RELOCKED THE DOORS. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AGAIN. THAT EVENING, I READ ABOUT THE CA…

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Safety recalls

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls

4 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse. With 4 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#04V428000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSJan 9, 2004
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

#15V338000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEFeb 6, 2015
Safety recall

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

#08V454000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYSep 9, 2008
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

#06E026000EXTERIOR LIGHTING23/03/2006

Across model years

Compare Mitsubishi Eclipse model years

Compared to other model years, the 2005 Eclipse has a low complaint count, but data is insufficient to rank it against higher- or lower-complaint years.

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

Questions

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 6 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. With only 6 complaints and no crash-related reports, the 2005 Eclipse appears relatively trouble-free, but the low data volume limits confidence. Buyers should still inspect for electrical and door lock issues. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

#1: Electrical Faults (2 complaints). #2: Door Lock Issues (2 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (1 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 6 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?

Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse. A major recall area is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. With 4 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.

Should I buy a 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

With only 6 complaints and no crash-related reports, the 2005 Eclipse appears relatively trouble-free, but the low data volume limits confidence. Buyers should still inspect for electrical and door lock issues. Electrical faults and door lock problems can lead to inconvenient failures and costly repairs, making pre-purchase inspection critical. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Eclipse reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse based on your ownership experience.

Add your rating:

Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Before you buy

Check the exact vehicle history before you buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.