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Consumers looking for a low-cost SUV often gravitate toward the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. After all, it boasts of plenty of style and many advanced safety features. The automaker even claims that the new lineup helps to make “boundaries redefined,” but most people aren’t happy with the ways it is redefining driving. From the faulty electrical system to the defective service brakes and malfunctioning fuel system, this SUV ranks as one of the biggest lemons.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Engine | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Steering | |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:gears |
Problems with the Electrical System
With advanced driver-assist features and innovative technology included, the electrical system must be functional. Yet, this intricate system can’t seem to operate correctly on the Eclipse Cross.
One NHTSA comment states, “Stopped at a red light. Light turned green, stepped on the gas, truck accelerated. Then, began to feel like something wasn’t normal, engine began to make quick high and low-pitched sounds. Was only going 10 mph if that. Tried to step on the brakes and pull over, but the brakes didn’t respond. Then tried to step on the gas slightly to pull over, but the gas pedal also didn’t respond. I was able to let the truck roll to a stop in the right turning lane, put it in Park and turned on the hazards. Then, followed every possible service light came on. The engine never actually stalled. It was still running, but not responsive to the brake or gas pedals. I attempted to reset the car, as per the manual suggested. Turned it off for 5 minutes and then back on. The high and low-pitch sounds continued, service lights remained lit, and vehicle was still unresponsive. Roadside assistance was then called and towed the truck to the dealership I leased from. Thankfully, I wasn’t going more than 10 mph when my brakes failed and was able to roll to a stop, opposed to being on the highway going 60 mph, as I was just 10 minutes before this occurred. The truck is not even 3 months old, with only 3,600 approx. miles.”
There’s a serious recall related to the electrical system on the Eclipse Cross. NHTSA Campaign Number 18V621000 states that some of the safety systems might not function as intended, increasing the chance of an accident. That sounds precisely what happened to the driver above. Sadly, this trouble affects nearly 60,000 vehicles. The faults occur with the Adaptive Cruise Control, Electric Parking Brake, Anti-lock Braking, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Auto Hold and Automatic Emergency Braking. It seems that nearly all of the active driver-assist software is fighting the Eclipse Cross, like a bad sci-fi film.
Problems with the Brakes
While the complaint above touched on braking problems, there are more concerns from other owners.
One such example is this comment left on the NHTSA website. “After starting the car, and going in reverse, you can hear a cracking or clicking noise (it’s really hard to tell), and sometimes it’s really loud if the brakes or something else was stuck and about to break apart. It sounds on the rear side and in the front side too. You can hear one or three clicks. I took my car to the dealer around three times in five months and first, I was told its normal, the second time I was pushy, and it was a matter of lubrication. I wasn’t told where exactly, and the last time the dealership manager told me that service department had to keep the car for a week. (I got a loaner, but it has the same issue). The service department replaced the brake system, and rotors, inspected and lubricated all parts. But, I was told that they couldn’t pinpoint the problem. The noise stopped, but I was told if it comes back, I had to take the car back to the dealer. After this incident, the next day in the morning while driving to work, my car stopped working. I couldn’t brake (I was driving at 27 mph), the steering wheel got locked, I got all the alarms on, FCM, Power Steering Problem, ABS Problem, ASC, ACC Not Available. I got really afraid, luckily I had no cars around.”
Again, it appears that the driver-assist software is retaliating, along with having dysfunctional brakes. Another recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 18V620000, says that the FCM-ECU software can also activate the brakes for longer than it should. Because the user might panic during this incident, an accident could be imminent. This particular recall affects another 9,000 vehicles, further proving that Mitsubishi has redefined boundaries, but not in a good way.
Problems with the Fuel System
The fuel system is responsible for feeding the engine and it must be reliable if the vehicle is going to continue running. Again, Mitsubishi misses the mark with this valuable system.
One Edmunds review states, “I only had this SUV for 5 months and I’m hearing a ticking sound coming from the engine and while in park the car revs on its own. I called the dealership and was told that it maybe due to bad fuel (only concern is that this dealership has a habit of lying just to get the money). I tend to go to the same gas station when it’s time to fill up.”
This is only the beginning of the fuel system concerns. Service Bulletin #TSB-19-17-001 states that customers could smell fuel coming from the cabin’s air vents when the engine is running and recirculation mode is off. The cause of this problem is the leftover fuel residue left inside the breather hose that is permeating through the outside and requires that dealers replace the vacuum pipe, hose assembly and breather hose to prevent the smell from occurring. Maybe it’s true that Mitsubishi is redefining boundaries. This model surely helps owners to feel unsafe and is sure to be labeled one of the largest lemons of all time. For that, it’s necessary to give the automaker credit for living up to the slogan.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Mitsubishi pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Steering |
| Date | Oct 29, 2022 |
| State | PA |
| Description | My streeing locked up while I was going 40mph. Almost crashed the car into another car. My electric brake system light keeps blanking at me when my streeing locked up on me as well. |
| Category | Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:gears |
| Date | Feb 22, 2022 |
| State | PA |
| Description | The contact owns a 2018 mitsubishi eclipse cross. The contact stated she was turning off the vehicle and shifted gears to park, when exiting the front driver's side, the vehicle began to roll backward and the front driver's side door knocked her down. The contact stated the emergency brakes were not applied. The contact stated the vehicle began to roll over her and her hair and left shoulder got caught under the front driver side tire. The contact was unable to move and was caught under the front driver's side tire for 45 minutes until a bystander heard her yeller out for help. The contact sustained injuries on her compression contractions on her 12th thoracic vertebra, left ear, emotional distress, and crush injury complications. The contact was able to seek medical attention at a hospital. The contact did call the police department and arrived at the residence, but was not aware of a police report being filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,087. |
| Category | Electrical System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | May 22, 2021 |
| State | GA |
| Description | First time I was at a wedding didn't realize I had laid key fob on top of car . Car cranked when I left wedding I assumed it was in the car when I got home and tried to crank dash said no key detected. 2nd incident I keep key fob attached to my purse I picked up my grandson so he could use car . I just realized I have key on my purse and he has car 20 miles away so he's stuck there once he cuts car off and I have to find someone to take me there to give key . I have left car running several times went in to grocery store did what I wanted to do key with me car still running when I return thank you aletha wilson 1271 silas rd wrens ga 30833 |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Feb 24, 2021 |
| State | VT |
| Description | The battery is always draining even when not in cold temperatures I have to turn the key twice in order for the vehicle to start. My husband was driving the vehicle the other day in the car completely stalled mid drive on a busy road |
| Category | Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection |
| Date | Feb 20, 2021 |
| State | NY |
| Description | When driving this vehicle, the bsw on the passenger side, does not always work. |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Aug 25, 2020 |
| State | SC |
| Description | The metal part where the door close is sticking up and hit my feet every time I get out my car. And it's not safe |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Jun 06, 2020 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The driver's airbag exploded on my left side, cutting my left arm and rendering me deaf in both ears from the impact when I was hit on the left rear panel by a motorcycle, killing the rider. My hearing is permanently damaged and I have sustained back and neck injury. I was in a median between four lanes of traffic on a state road and stationary when hit. My car was turned completely around by the impact and the airbag exploded after I was sitting still, which was a huge shock to me. It was a delayed reaction. The left rear panel was destroyed and the rear window and the vehicle was considered totaled. *tr *js |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Apr 21, 2020 |
| State | FL |
| Description | After purchasing my vehicle on 10/31/18, I experienced 6 headlight changes from that point till 4/19/20. On 4/19/20, while driving I smelled an electrical burning smell. As I proceeded to pull to a safe location my headlight indicator light came then I loss all power and function of the vehicle. Pressing the breaks and pulling the emergency break multiple times did not stop the vehicle. Approximately 150 yards ahead I spotted a shopping center entrance. As I proceeded to attempt a hard right turn into the parking lot when fire began shooting over the front windshield and side fenders. I finally got the vehicle to stop after pumping the hand break several times and exited the vehicle. The result of this faulty electrical system caused me to total my car. |
| Category | Electrical System, Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Jan 28, 2020 |
| State | PA |
| Description | The low gas gauge does not work. It will notify me that I have 50 miles left on my tank and within 5 miles will go to 0 with warning lights to refuel immediately. It does not say how many miles are left. It rapidly goes from 50 miles left to 0. This has caused me to run out of gas twice to date, when there is not an immediate gas station near me. |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System, Service Brakes, Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Jan 28, 2020 |
| State | PA |
| Description | When I use the acc, and the highway is hilly, the acc will engage the fcm (forward collision mitigation), resulting in the brakes being applied, sometimes forcefully, resulting in an immediate slow down of my vehicles speed. This can cause accidents as those around me had to slam on their brakes as well. When going up and down hills, the acc does not work properly. This has occurred many times from the time I bought the vehicle until now. |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Jan 28, 2020 |
| State | PA |
| Description | When on the highway, I set the cruise for a set speed. With no other cars around me, my speed will vary significantly. I set the speed for 70mph (speed limit) and the car will go from 64mph and surge up to 78mph all on it's own. This has happened to me 4 times to date. Once it ended in a speeding ticket when I first got the car. I was really confused how I was clocked going 79 mpg when the cruise was set on 70mph. It has occurred a number of times since, causing me to cancel the cruise control in order to normalize my speed. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Dec 26, 2019 |
| State | OH |
| Description | Exhaust fumes getting into cabin causing headache, fatigue, and concentration issues. Several dealerships in the area are aware of issue but no solution from mitsubishi. Dealer ship also confirmed exhaust smell in car and attempted at severl repairs without resolution. |
| Category | Air Bags, Service Brakes |
| Date | Sep 12, 2019 |
| State | MD |
| Description | At times when I am driving the passenger air bag is turned off. Some times my car emergency break comes on but there is no one in front of me |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Aug 16, 2019 |
| State | MA |
| Description | While driving the above vehicle on the freeway the car shut down. I pulled over safely to the side. Shut the vehicle off completely and then restarted it. The dash was lit up like a christmas tree and the car started and was to drive home in a limp mode in. Called the dealer the car had recall for software update. The dealer michaud mitsubishi in danvers ma updated the software and cleared codes. Few days back the care refused to up-shift while driving and would not exceed more then 35 to 40 miles per hour. I notified the above dealer and took it back to them no error code was found. I continued driving. On wed 8/14/19 the car again would not up-shift and stayed in 2nd gear and rpm went up to 5000. I pulled over and shut off the vehicle. Restarted it and it drove normally. I again made an appointment for friday 8/16/19 to the dealer to show them what was happening. I was driving yesterday 08/15/19 around 10. 15 am on the freeway at approximately 70 miles an hour with an 18 wheeler behind me, the car shut off 2nd time in its life and the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree again. I quickly and safely pulled over before I was rear ended by the 18 wheeler. I took pics of dashboard as it was showing error codes. I called the dealer and asked that I could bring the car now. The lady answering the phone was hostile and ultimately turned over the call to owners son zack. I went to dealer by noon yesterday and talked to paul in service/sales. The vehicle was examined and the same error codes had again been regenerated by on board computer. I was told to leave the vehicle while dealers service dept was trying to get in touch with mitsubishi service dept. As of today 08/16/19 I dont have a status update on the vehicle. *dt *tr *js |
| Category | Service Brakes, Unknown Or Other, Wheels |
| Date | Oct 03, 2018 |
| State | IL |
| Description | After starting the car, and going in reverse, you can hear a cracking or clicking noise (it's really hard to tell), and sometimes it's really loud, if the brakes or something else was stuck and was about to break a part. It sounds on the read side and in the front side too. You can hear one or 3 clicks. I took my car to the dealer around 3 times in 5 months and first, I was told its normal, the second time I was pushy, and it was a matter of lubrication I wasn't told where exactly, and the last time the dealership manager told me that service department had to keep the car for a week, ( I got a loaner, but it has the same issue). The service department replaced the brake system, and rotors, inspect and lubricate all parts. But, I was told that they couldn't pin point the problem. The noise stopped, but I was told if it comes back, I had to take the car back to the dealer. After this incident, the next day in the morning while driving to work, my car stopped working, I couldn't break (I was driving at 27mph), the steering wheel got locked, I got all the alarms on, fcm, power steering problem, abs problem, asc, acc not available. I got really affraid, luckily I had no cars around. |
| Category | Electrical System, Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes |
| Date | May 18, 2018 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | Stopped at a red light. Light turned green stepped on the gas, truck accelerated. Then began to feel like something wasn't normal, engine began to make quick high and low pitched sounds. Was only going 10mph if that. Tried to step on the brakes and pull over, but the brakes didn't respond. Then tried to step on the gas slightly to pull over, but the gas pedal also didn't respond. I was able to let the truck roll to a stop in the right turning lane, put it in park, and turn on the hazards. Then followed every possible service light came on. The engine never actually stalled. It was still running but not responsive to the brake or gas pedals. I attempted to 'reset' the car, as per the manual suggested. Turned it off for 5 minutes and then back on. The high and low pitch sounds continued, service lights remained lit, and vehicle was still unresponsive. Roadside assistance was then called and towed the truck to the dealership I leased from. Thankfully I wasn't going more than 10mph when my brakes failed and was able to roll to a stop, opposed to being on the highway going 60mph, as I was just 10 minutes before this occurred. The truck is not even 3 months old, with only 3,600 approx. Miles. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I’ve had my 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse cross sel since October of 2021(25k miles). In the last 4 months my electrical system failed and I almost got into an accident with a huge truck. Mitsubishi did tow it into their service center did an “update “ and I took it home. It has been reving off and on when I first start it sometimes it is up to 2000. But sometimes it goes up past 2500 and keeps going to where I get scared and put in reverse. Last two months I noticed it was using a lot of oil to where I’m checking on a weekly basis and noticed it is burning it. There is no oil or marks on my drive but the exhaust yesterday, after noticing it was literally out. … had actual oil in the exhaust when I swiped my finger (along with the black residue from it burning). I’ve now taken this car, which is under warranty, 8 times in the last 4 months to Mitsubishi.
The reving—— they claim is normal according to the Mitsubishi website
This is after the 3rd time taking it and then having it for 3 days.
I’m sick of it. They don’t listen to what I’m saying and I’ve already paid 10k towards this car in 15 months.
I have an Eclipse Cross 2018 model UK
I have experienced numerous issues with the manual gearbox gearchange, changing from first to second and you can feel and hear the gears engaging. Accelerating makes the issue worse and accelerating from third into fourth regularly the gear will not engage. Recently I had a long journey in sixth gear and when it came to changing gear the shift was totally jammed until I was under 30 MPH
The gearbox was changed at under 20,000 miles but bu 29,000 the issue had returned and was worse than ever. Local Fife Mitsubishi dealer has been less than helpful, in fact downright rude and want nothing to do with the issue saying it is a ‘NOTCHY’ gearbox which might be true if all gears were ‘NOTCHY’ The dealer will not reply to a letter (hand delivered) and an email and face to face was nothing short of abusive and bullying behaviour saying they had 3 cars in the forecourt were exactly the same. I presume with the same issue. So how would one proceed with this? I am retired and legal fees would be a problem.
My 2018 eclipse cross has only 9000 miles and its july 2022! My front pads are completely gone! Dealer basically said not their problem! Anyone ever have the pads gone in less than 10000 mikes??
My 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse cross does not have heat when sitting at an idle for to long I can let it run for an hour in the driveway and still no heat unless your driving