Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: common faults & what to check
Thinking about buying a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2017–2023) in New Zealand? We've documented 25 known faults for this model spanning brakes, electrical, transmission, and engine. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
25
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$350–$1,200
Typical repair
7
Systems covered
Known Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
On the Eclipse Cross PHEV the rear brakes are used sparingly because the regenerative braking system captures most deceleration energy through the rear motor. The rear hydraulic calipers can go many months without significant mechanical application, causing the piston seals and slides to corrode and seize in position. When the hydraulic brakes are eventually called upon in an emergency or during a WOF inspection, the seized piston either drags the pad against the disc or fails to apply at all.
Symptoms to notice
Rear brake drag felt as rolling resistance after the vehicle has sat parked for an extended period
Deep rust lip visible at the inner and outer disc edge where the pad never contacts
Uneven braking — vehicle pulls to one side under hard braking as one rear caliper applies and the other does not
Rear brake pads show near-zero wear despite high odometer reading due to regenerative braking dominance
What to check
Inspect rear disc faces for a deep rust ridge at the outer edge of the swept area — a clear indicator the pads have not been contacting that zone. Manually push each rear piston with a caliper wind-back tool; a piston requiring more than normal force is seizing. Check rear pad thickness is not dramatically uneven side-to-side. Inspect caliper slide pins for corrosion and seizing under their rubber boots.
Where to look: Rear brake calipers, both sides
Ask the seller
“Does the car pull to one side when braking hard?”
“Have the rear brakes ever been serviced or calipers replaced?”
“Has a mechanic or WOF inspector ever commented on rear brake condition?”
02Infotainment (Smartphone Display Audio) freezes, reboots and climate control glitches
MinorCommonInterior $300–$2,500 to fix
The most common owner complaints on the Eclipse Cross are software-related: the Smartphone Display Audio head unit freezing or rebooting mid-drive, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto dropping out, and occasional climate control display errors. Dealers fix most cases with software updates, but persistent faults need a replacement head unit which is expensive out of warranty. It is an annoyance rather than a breakdown risk, but a bargaining chip on price.
Symptoms to notice
Touchscreen freezing or rebooting while driving
CarPlay/Android Auto disconnecting randomly
Reversing camera slow to display or black screen
Climate control display errors
What to check
Spend five minutes working the touchscreen: pair a phone, run CarPlay/Android Auto, use the reversing camera several times, and switch audio sources. Any freeze or reboot during a short test is a sign of a unit that misbehaves regularly.
Where to look: Centre dash touchscreen head unit
Ask the seller
“Has the head unit software ever been updated by the dealer?”
“Does CarPlay/Android Auto stay connected on long drives?”
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23 more documented faults on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 25 documented faults for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the recurring problem areas are brakes, electrical, and transmission. A Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
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We've catalogued 25 known faults for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, covering brakes, electrical, and transmission. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
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Most single repairs on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross fall between $350–$1,200 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 25 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
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Yes. A Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.