DecodedCars2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Minicompact Cars
- Body styles
- Coupe 2dr Coupe GT/GT Premium, Coupe 2dr Coupe RS/Gs, Spyder 2dr Conv FWD /Gs, Spyder 2dr Conv FWD /GT Premium
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 176.8 in
- Curb weight
- 2,910–3,329 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 22% better than the average 2005 minicompact car (18.9 MPG).
- Few owner complaints3 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 22 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a minicompact car offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 101-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,142 lb (Coupe 2dr Coupe GT/GT Premium).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), 22% better than the 2005 minicompact car average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupe 2dr Coupe GT/GT Premium | 176.8 in | 68.9 in | 51.6 in | 100.8 in | 59.1 / 58.3 in | 3,142 lb | 63/37 |
| Coupe 2dr Coupe RS/Gs | 176.8 in | 68.9 in | 51.6 in | 100.8 in | 59.1 / 58.3 in | 2,910 lb | 63/37 |
| Spyder 2dr Conv FWD /Gs | 176.8 in | 68.9 in | 52.8 in | 100.8 in | 59.1 / 58.3 in | 3,098 lb | 63/37 |
| Spyder 2dr Conv FWD /GT Premium | 176.8 in | 68.9 in | 52.8 in | 100.8 in | 59.1 / 58.3 in | 3,329 lb | 63/37 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Spyder | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | +22% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Eclipse | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | +10% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Eclipse Spyder | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | +11% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Eclipse Spyder | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | +11% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Eclipse Spyder | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | +11% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Eclipse | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | 0% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Eclipse | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | 0% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Eclipse | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | 0% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Eclipse | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | 0% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Eclipse | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | 0% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Eclipse | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | 0% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Eclipse Spyder | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +6% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Eclipse Spyder | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | +6% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 minicompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Corvette | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Nissan 350z | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Ford Thunderbird | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Spyker C8 | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 2, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V338000 · 443,442 vehicles
- Problem
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
- Risk
- If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
- Fix
- MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
Not every 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Eclipse years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Eclipse | 23 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 7 |
| 2011 Eclipse | 23 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 Eclipse | 23 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 Eclipse | 23 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 43 |
| 2008 Eclipse | 23 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 71 |
| 2007 Eclipse | 23 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 96 |
| 2006 Eclipse | 23 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 52 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mitsubishi. How we calculate this →