Which Years Of Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Crosses Are Most Reliable?
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross by Alexander Migl - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Like many other automakers, Mitsubishi has shifted its lineup to be heavy on SUVs. One vehicle arising from this changeover is the Eclipse Cross, a compact crossover positioned between the brand’s Outlander Sport and Outlander. For those searching for a two-row family hauler that doesn’t have a Honda or Toyota badge, the Eclipse Cross presents an alternative, especially as a second-hand car. But what are the most reliable Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross years?
Read on as we explore the answer. We’ll also include an overview of the Eclipse Cross to round out the details about this Mitsubishi.
The company debuted the Eclipse Cross in the U.S. for the 2018 model year. But sales have been modest, with the manufacturer selling about 9,500 examples during the first year. The next year, sales doubled to almost 20,000, followed by a steep decline attributable to the global pandemic and supply chain disruptions in the automotive industry.
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It drew a lot of attention from consumers thanks to its user-friendly “infotainment” devices and integrated systems. However, the worst Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross years to avoid can make finding the right vehicle a little tricky.
Why does this matter? Because there aren’t that many Eclipse Crosses on the road in the U.S., about 50,000 units were sold through 2021. Toyota sells the same amount of RAV4s in about 45 days. The Eclipse Cross’s modest popularity means reliability data is in short supply.
Traditional sources like repairpal.com don’t have any feedback about the dependability of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. And Consumer Reports is equally lacking, except for projections covering the 2023 model year.
So, we’ll reflect on what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and carcomplaints.com have to say for our ratings of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. In addition, our recommendations concentrate on engine and transmission troubles because these components have the greatest impact on reliability.
Comprehensive car shopping includes research on safety, fuel economy, ownership costs, and other facts. Be sure to look at all the facts before buying a car.
Most Reliable Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Years: The Breakdown
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Reliability Verdict: Look Elsewhere
As is the case for all Eclipse Cross model years, there isn’t much feedback about the 2018 edition. Carcomplaints.com succinctly captures this Eclipse Cross conundrum by commenting, “It’s either not very popular … or it’s very, very good.” That makes perfect sense to us.
NHTSA reports 16 complaints about the 2018 Eclipse Cross, with only three involving the engine and transmission. However, seven of these reports concern the electrical system. And while this isn’t a drivetrain issue, it’s equally troubling. The problems hint at first-year gremlins, which aren’t unusual with the first year of an all-new vehicle.
So although reliability data is limited, we’ll take a cautious approach and suggest picking out a different model year. If for no other reason than reducing the risk of a problematic first-year model.
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2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Reliability Verdict: Proceed With Caution
Sales doubled for the 2019 Eclipse Cross, so you’d expect complaints to follow a similar upward trajectory. However, the opposite occurs. NHTSA has only seven owner reports on file. That’s encouraging.
A few complaints exist, but these are single reports about the engine or transmission. A pattern of problems isn’t noticeable from the available information. But we’ll still advise vigilance as Mitsubishi has a history of taking several model years to work out first-year kinks.
However, if precautionary buying steps like a pre-purchase inspection are taken, you can add the 2019 edition to the list of most reliable Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross years.
2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Reliability Verdict: Go For It
Although sales of the 2020 Eclipse Cross got chopped in half due to the pandemic, this still resulted in about 10,000 sales in the U.S. From these purchases, only three owners reported troubles (all of which are minor issues, like problems with an interior accessory). Even with such few examples on the road, you’d think more people would spread the word about any issues. Perhaps the 2020 model year is “very, very good.”
So, until the data says otherwise, it’s OK to add this edition to the most reliable Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross years list.
2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Reliability Verdict: Toss A Coin
In case you’re wondering, Mitsubishi skipped the 2021 model year of the Eclipse Cross. It used the time off to introduce an updated edition for the 2022 model year.
We’re in the dark about this version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross because there is so little owner feedback. Consumer Reports is silent, as is carcomplaints.com. NHTSA has just two reports about a finicky electrical system or faulty steering. Is this enough to give the 2022 Eclipse Cross a thumbs down? Your guess is as good as ours.
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2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Reliability Verdict: The Jury Is Still Out
Do you hear the crickets chirping? That’s due to the total silence of owners with a 2023 Eclipse Cross. We’ll assume that Mitsubishi has sold some, but no one with their name on a vehicle registration has a bad thing to say.
For once, Consumer Reports chimes in by giving this vehicle a 3 out of 5 for “predicted reliability,” which is the organization’s term for educated guess (they also use the phrase “informed prediction”). But this mid-tier grade (even if it’s a guess) isn’t overly helpful.
To be fair, we can’t make a recommendation either. So, we’ll reserve deciding the 2023 Eclipse Cross’s fate until hard data becomes available.
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Overview: 2023 Eclipse Cross
For those unfamiliar with Eclipse Cross, here’s a brief overview. This information is based on the 2023 model year.
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (standard on all trims) controlled by a continuously variable transmission
Trims/Feature Highlights:
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