2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 8 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 8 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 74,952 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Eclipse | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 Eclipse | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 Eclipse (this page) | 8 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 8 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
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…
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…
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…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 8 owner complaints have been filed for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 8 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,952 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 74,952 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Eclipse has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 8 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.