2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems
The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse has only 8 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls, but low data volume limits confidence. Based on 8 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 8 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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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2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2012 has 8 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls. Airbag malfunctions account for 4 complaints, while electrical faults and brake issues each have 2. With low data volume, reliability conclusions are uncertain. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Mitsubishi
- Model
- Eclipse
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 8
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 28
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Electrical Faults
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Electrical Faults, Brake System. 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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The 2012 Eclipse may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the low complaint count does not guarantee reliability. Proceed with caution and a thorough inspection.
Airbag malfunctions and electrical faults can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns, making pre-purchase inspection critical.
May Suit
Budget-conscious buyers seeking a sporty coupe with low initial cost and who are willing to accept some risk due to limited data.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who prioritize proven reliability and want a vehicle with a strong track record of few complaints.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system for warning lights or prior deployment.
- Check electrical components (lights, windows, dashboard) for proper function.
- Test brake system for unusual noises, vibration, or pedal feel.
Before You Close the Deal
- Verify airbag system has no open recalls or warning lights.
- Check all electrical systems (lights, windows, infotainment) for proper operation.
- Test brakes for noise, vibration, or soft pedal.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse shows a small number of owner complaints, with airbag malfunctions being the most reported issue (4 complaints). Electrical faults and brake system problems each account for 2 complaints. With only 8 total complaints and no recalls, the data suggests a generally low problem rate, but the sample size is too small to draw strong conclusions. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, the 2012 Eclipse has very few complaints, but data for other years is not provided.
Recall context: With zero recalls, this model year has no known safety campaigns, but buyers should still verify no open recalls exist.
- Airbag malfunctions account for 4 of the 8 total complaints.
- Electrical faults and brake system issues each have 2 complaints.
- Only 1 crash-related complaint was reported.
- Airbag Malfunctions (4 complaints)
- Electrical Faults (2 complaints)
- Brake System (2 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
After a recent oil change, they informed me that the cross bar was very rusted and looks very unsafe. Upon further research I was informed there was a recall for this problem. I am the only owner and at this time all maintenance is up to date. Because the car has low mileage, I w…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE VISIBLY EXPOSED FROM THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
9/16/15 TOOK VEHICLE TO RIVERSIDE MITSUBISHI DUE TO THE AIRBAG POPPING OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AIRBAG WAS REPLACED AND ISSUED RESOLVED. ON 1/25/16 HAD TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO RIVERSIDE MITSUBISHI DUE TO A BAD RATTLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA, THE AIRBAG WAS REMOVED A…
DASHBOARD SEPARATION EXPOSING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYD…
EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS RELATED TO HEADLIGHT OUTAGE, CAUSING FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HI-BEAM LIGHTS. BEGAN WITH SPONTANEOUS YET INFREQUENT HESISTATION-BLINKING ON/OFF OF DRIVER-SIDE HEADLAMP WHEN NIGHTTIME LIGH…
BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. AFTER DIAGNOSIS AT A REPAIR SHOP WITH TESTING SYSTEM THE FAULT READS ABS HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. THE SHOP STATED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS A 2012 I SHOULD CONTACT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE A RECALL FOR THE ABS UNIT. THE DE…
I WAS HEADING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT ON MY CAR. MY CAR HAD FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IF I WAS GOING THE ACTUAL SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 55 MPH, THE DEER COULD HAVE WENT THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD AND WHERE THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Safety recalls
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. With zero recalls, this model year has no known safety campaigns, but buyers should still verify no open recalls exist. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No NHTSA recalls were found for this model year. Recalls can be added at any time — confirm open-recall status on the exact VIN or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 8 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2012 Eclipse may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the low complaint count does not guarantee reliability. Proceed with caution and a thorough inspection. 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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (4 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (2 complaints). #3: Brake System (2 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 8 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?▾
The 2012 Eclipse may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the low complaint count does not guarantee reliability. Proceed with caution and a thorough inspection. Airbag malfunctions and electrical faults can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns, making pre-purchase inspection critical. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions 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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse based on your ownership experience.
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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.