Caution statements regarding the disposal of certain SRS components have been incorrect in the service manuals of affected vehicles. This TSB provides updated caution statements.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse airbags problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 4 airbags complaints filed for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Mitsubishi Eclipse we track for airbags problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
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 my husband and I could be dead. *js
Dashboard separation exposing passenger side airbag
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 and the screws and bolts were re-torqued and reinstalled the airbag. On 4/22/19 took vehicle to auto gallery…
Had airbags trouble with your 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 74,952 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mitsubishi/Eclipse.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.