Making its debut in 2018, the Eclipse Cross is a crossover SUV from Japanese automaker Mitsubishi.
It offers lots of standard features, peppy performance from its turbocharged engine and a user-friendly infotainment system.
If you’re wondering about the average lifespan of the Eclipse Cross, this article is here to help.
Table of Contents
Here is the short answer to how long the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross lasts:
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross should last on average between 200,000 to 250,000 miles providing it’s adequately maintained and driven sensibly. Based on the national average mileage of 15,000 miles per year, you can expect the Eclipse Cross to last 13 to 17 years before requiring uneconomical repairs.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
Japanese carmakers are often synonymous with reliability, and Mitsubishi is no different.
In fact, they have been ranked 6th out of 32 car manufacturers by car review giant Repair Pal with an above-average reliability of 4.0 out of 5.0.
And whilst the Eclipse Cross has only been on the market since 2018 and features a new turbocharged 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, there’s no reason to suspect that it won’t go the distance.
Mitsubishi has had plenty of experience with turbo performance engines over the years.
With this in mind, we expect the average Eclipse Cross to easily last 100,000 miles. And suspect most models will need replacing after 200,00 – 250,000 miles, simply because the cost of repairs will outweigh the value of the vehicle or despite repairs, the vehicle remains too unreliable.
Keep in mind there’s no exact timeframe on any car’s lifespan and it ultimately comes down to good ownership habits and to some degree, luck.
Sure, the Eclipse Cross is designed to venture off-road but being too aggressive with the gas and brake pedals can be harsh on any vehicle and will accelerate wear and tear on vital components.
Following the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner’s manual and practicing smooth driving habits will give you the best chance of getting the most miles from your Eclipse Cross.
The life expectancy of your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be cut short if you avoid:
- Using quality parts
- Service appointments
- Routine oil changes
- Regular car washes
- Tire rotations
- Driving smoothly
Do Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Rust Easily?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross should not rust easily, this is due to a good standard of corrosion protection that is applied during the manufacturing process. It is also a relatively new model and will therefore have the most up-to-date rust protection.
That’s not to say the Eclipse Cross is immune from rusting issues – as long as car bodies continue to be made from sheet steel, and road surfaces have small stones and grit, it is not possible to prevent rust entirely.
These stones damage the paint while driving, creating points of attack for water and road salt.
One owner has reported a few white corrosive marks along the rim of their EC’s front passenger wheel, and to the credit of Mitsubishi, they changed it without question under warranty.
Mitsubishi offers an industry-leading Anti-Corrosion Perforation Limited Warranty of 7 years/100,000 miles.
Rust will be much more of a problem if you live in a region where roads are salted during the winter or by the coast where salt air is prevalent.
In which case you will need to wash your car regularly, including the underside, to keep rust at bay.
What is High Mileage for a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
A Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with over 100,000 miles would be considered high mileage. After this many miles have been accumulated, there will be some degree of wear and tear on parts, however, you should not base your purchase decision on mileage alone.
Keep in mind you will also want to make sure the car hasn’t clocked way more or less than 15,000 miles per year, if it has this is a potential red flag.
Purchasing a high mileage Eclipse Cross won’t necessarily be a bad investment, but it’s important to check the vehicles overall condition.
A well-looked-after Eclipse Cross with over 100,000 miles on the clock will be a safer bet than one with 60,000 miles that’s been neglected.
If you’re buying a used Mitsubishi consider the following:
- Maintenance history. Check that the car was properly serviced and the owner can provide proof of this.
- Get a second opinion. Take it to an independent auto repair shop or have it inspected by a mechanic you trust.
- Number of previous owners. As a general rule, less is better. More owners usually equate to more wear-and-tear.
- How long you are planning on keeping the car. If you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time, evaluate whether the short-term savings outweigh spending extra on something more reliable.
- Take it for a test drive: Ask the owner to leave the car cold, keep an ear out for any strange noises.
- Examine the interior. The condition of the interior tells the story of how well the car was maintained and cared for.
- Check the car’s VIN and get a full history report. Was it a taxi or rental car? Recalls? How many owners? Real mileage? Stolen? Any accidents? If you’re buying a used Mitsubishi, always check the VIN – you never know what the car has been through.
How Long Does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Last Compared to Similar SUVs?
In this section, we’ll compare the Eclipse Cross to its closest competitors.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs. Toyota Corolla Cross
The Toyota Corolla Cross is based on the ever-popular Corolla Sedan, offering more horsepower and available AWD.
The Toyota Corolla Cross can last 250,000 to 300,000 miles or 17 – 20 years, greater than what is expected of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Toyota Corolla Cross | |
| RepairPal Reliability Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| RepairPal Reliability Ranking | NA Compact SUVs | NA Compact SUVs |
| Average Annual Repair Cost | $535 | $441 |
The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (169 vs. 152) than the Eclipse Cross’ 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Corolla Cross higher (7 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (5). This means the Corolla Cross produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Eclipse Cross every 15,000 miles.
The Corolla Cross fuel economy in MPG is 31 city/33 highway, whilst the Eclipse Cross is 26 city/29 highway.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs. Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a rugged compact SUV designed for adventure seekers.
The Subaru Crosstrek is one of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. and can last 200,000 – 250,000 miles or 13 – 17 years, equal to what is expected of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Subaru Crosstrek | |
| RepairPal Reliability Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| RepairPal Reliability Ranking | NA Compact SUVs | 1st / 26 Compact SUVs |
| Average Annual Repair Cost | $535 | $631 |
The Crosstrek base MSRP is $22,445 Vs. $23,395 for the Eclipse Cross.
With slightly higher torque, the Eclipse Cross delivers power to its wheels a bit more effectively than the Subaru Crosstrek.
In terms of seating, both cars fit the same number of people.
You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Subaru Crosstreks Last?
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vs. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is one of the best-selling compact SUVs of all time.
The Honda CR-V can last 250,000 – 300,000 miles or 17 – 20 years, greater than what is expected of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Honda CR-V | |
| RepairPal Reliability Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.5/5.0 |
| RepairPal Reliability Ranking | NA Compact SUVs | 2nd / 26 Compact SUVs |
| Average Annual Repair Cost | $535 | $407 |
The CR-V is a popular choice due to its excellent cabin space and comfort, although lacks safety tach compared to its rivals.
The Eclipse Cross also has good interior space, features an intuitive media interface although it’s not overly fun to drive.
You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Honda CR-V Hybrids Last?
Comparison Chart
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Toyota Corolla Cross | Subaru Crosstrek | Honda CR-V | |
| Annual Repair Cost | $535 | $441 | $631 | $407 |
| Reliability Rating | 4.0/5.0 | 4.0/5.0 | 4.5/5.0 | 4.5/5.0 |
| Lifespan (miles) | 200k – 250k | 250k – 300k | 200k – 250k | 250k – 300k |
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Reliable?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has received good reliability scores so far, however there is not a huge amount of data available at this time as the car is still relatively new.
The fact that the Eclipse Cross doesn’t sell as many units as its rivals and it’s only been on sale since 2018 means that industry data surrounding its reliability is fairly low.
What we do know is that Repair Pal ranks Mitsubishi highly as a manufacturer (6th out of 32 car brands) in terms of reliability and that early customer feedback with regards to the Eclipse Cross’ reliability, has so far been positive.
- Consumer Report gave the 2022 Eclipse Cross a predicted reliability score of 3/5 although they describe the car as underwhelming.
- Based on 22 owner reviews, Kelley Blue Book give it a reliability score of 4.7 / 5.0
As with longevity, the reliability of your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will also depend on keeping up to date with the service schedule and adopting good driving habits.
Reliability Compared to Other SUVs
| Model | Reliability |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Honda CR-V | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Rogue Select | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Kia Sportage | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mazda Tribute | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Compass | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Kia Sorento | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Rogue | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Honda Element | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Patriot | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Ford Escape | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Xterra | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Chevrolet Captiva | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Murano | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Subaru Forester | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| GMC Terrain | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Fiat 500L | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Wrangler | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 3.0 / 5.0 |
| Avg. Compact SUV | 4.0 |
The Best and Worst Years for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Worst Year
The worst model years for the Eclipse Cross are 2018 and 2019.
When a new vehicle first debuts, it is almost always going to be the most problematic.
This is the case with the 2018 and 2019 Eclipse Cross models which had significantly more issues than its latest editions.
The most common problem with these models was due to the engine control module which required a software update, with customers complaining of low heater output temperatures while idling or during low vehicles speeds.
There were also reported issues with the sounds system, specifically the subwoofer.
Best Year
The best year for the Eclipse Cross is the 2022 model.
The latest model will have fewer issues as Mitsubishi will have ironed out any teething issues from the earlier years.
The 2022 model also boasts refreshed styling, upgraded suspension and other smaller tweaks to improve the overall driving experience.
Number of Complaints & Technical Service Bulletins
Here is the total number of complaints from the Car Complaints database and TSB’s for every Eclipse Cross model year.
A TSB covers components that may be malfunctioning but don’t compromise the safety of the vehicle.
| Model Year | No. of Complaints (Car Complaints.com) | TSB’s |
| 2022 | NA | 1 |
| 2021 | NA | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 | 14 |
| 2019 | 1 | 21 |
| 2018 | 3 | 25 |
Note from Car Complaints: We don’t have a lot of complaints on file for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. It’s either not very popular … or it’s very, very good.
What About Recalls for These Models?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has had a total of 3 recall campaigns since 2018.
You can check if your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has been subjected to a recall campaign by entering your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on Mitsubishi’s recall site or the NHTSA recall database.
It is important to note that recalls are manufacturing faults that affect the safety of the vehicle. These are repaired at no charge for the consumer.
Recall campaigns for every model year of the Eclipse Cross:
- 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 0
- 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 0
- 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 0
- 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 1
- 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 2
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Model Year List
First Generation (2018 – Present)
- 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Are Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Expensive to Maintain?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross should cost around $535 per year to maintain, based on data from Repair Pal. This is about average for the compact SUV segment which is $521 per year.
| Model | Avg. Annual Repair Cost | Frequency of Unscheduled Repairs (per year) | Probability of Severe Repairs |
| Subaru Crosstrek | $492 | 0.1 | 7% |
| Honda CR-V | $407 | 0.3 | 9% |
| Toyota RAV4 | $429 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Nissan Rogue Select | $436 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Hyundai Tucson | $426 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Kia Sportage | $462 | 0.2 | 11% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $498 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | $519 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | $535 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Jeep Cherokee | $420 | 0.2 | 12% |
| Mazda Tribute | $523 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Jeep Compass | $526 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Kia Sorento | $533 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Nissan Rogue | $467 | 0.3 | 12% |
| Honda Element | $491 | 0.6 | 10% |
| Jeep Patriot | $596 | 0.3 | 12% |
| Ford Escape | $600 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | $631 | 0.4 | 11% |
| Nissan Xterra | $514 | 0.3 | 14% |
| Chevrolet Captiva | $585 | 0.3 | 13% |
| Nissan Murano | $507 | 0.5 | 14% |
| Subaru Forester | $632 | 0.4 | 13% |
| GMC Terrain | $558 | 0.3 | 17% |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $537 | 0.3 | 18% |
| Fiat 500L | $640 | 0.2 | 17% |
| Jeep Wrangler | $694 | 0.3 | 16% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | $730 | 0.9 | 12% |
| Avg. Compact SUV | $521 | 0.3 | 11% |
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross brake pads will typically last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. This can vary widely and depends mostly on your style of driving and the traffic conditions you normally experience.
- You can expect your brakes to wear out sooner if you frequently stop and accelerate in rush-hour traffic
- Brake pad replacement, which includes parts and labor, can cost anywhere between $200 and $300.
- Full and complete stops from a high speed are the #1 cause of premature brake pad wear.
- A sporty driving style will lead to faster deterioration of brakes. A slow and steady style will help them last longer.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross’s stock tires usually last around 40,000 to 50,000 miles or 3 to 5 years. However, they can wear out much sooner. This depends on various factors, such as driving habits, climate, and road conditions.
- Rotate tires every 5,000 miles to ensure even wear.
- If you have to drive off-road your tires will wear out faster.
- Check your tire pressure every few weeks to make sure they’re at the correct tire pressure.
- Have a mechanic or tire shop check your wheel alignment every 6 months.
How Long Do Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Engines Last?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that should last at 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Regular oil and filter changes are critical for engine longevity.
How Long Do Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Batteries Last?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross battery should last between 3 – 5 years. A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.
- Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your car can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
- Limit short rides: Quick car rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
- Storage: Keep your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross stored indoors to protect it from extreme temperature changes.
- Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
The Eclipse Cross’ iridium spark plugs should last 100,000 miles although they may last much longer. Spark plugs are usually inspected every time you take your car in for a tune-up.
Signs of a fouled spark plug include:
- Reduced gas mileage
- Lack of acceleration
- Rough idling
- Hard starts
- Engine misfires
What About Insurance Costs?
The average cost of full comprehensive coverage for a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is $1,280 per year or around $107 per month.
Insurance costs can vary from person to person; be sure to shop around to find the best potential deal for your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- Adopt smooth driving habits.
- Keep up to date with factory-recommended maintenance.
- Use quality parts and fluids.
- Keep on top of repairs to prevent them from developing into larger problems.
- Regularly wash your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross to remove dirt and grime to protect the paint and undercarriage from rust developing.
- Check your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross’s engine oil, coolant, brake, and transmission fluid levels and top them up when required.
- Keep your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross stored in a garage to help protect it from the elements.
- Read the owner’s manual to learn the location of important components, what your Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross needs and what quantity, and to understand the symbols and dashboard warning lights.
Resources
- https://caredge.com/mitsubishi/eclipse-cross/maintenance
- https://www.kbb.com/mitsubishi/eclipse-cross/
- https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2022/mitsubishi/eclipse-cross/se-fwd
- https://www.carcomplaints.com/Mitsubishi/Eclipse_Cross/
- https://www.carproblemzoo.com/tsb/mitsubishi/eclipsecross/
- https://www.cars.com/research/mitsubishi-eclipse_cross/recalls/
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/mitsubishi/eclipse/brake-pad-replacement-cost
- https://insuraviz.com/vehicles/mitsubishi/mitsubishi-eclipse-cross-insurance/
