Buying a Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross? What to Check First

Should you buy a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

Whether a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a good buy depends on the individual vehicle, not the model. Three checks matter before you pay: the NHTSA recall lookup by VIN for open recalls, the seller’s service and accident records, and an independent pre-purchase inspection of that specific vehicle. This page lists the most recent NHTSA recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and what an inspector checks.

As of NHTSA records retrieved 2026-08-27, NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, model years 2016–2024, most often listing electrical system and forward collision avoidance. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, variants, trims or build dates, so any individual vehicle may be affected by all, some, or none of them, and a campaign count is not a reliability ranking. The most recent campaign on file is 18V620000 (September 2018, electrical system).

What are the most recent NHTSA recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

Newest first, from NHTSA campaign records. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

18V620000NHTSA report received September 2018Model years: 2018–2019

NHTSA campaign 18V620000: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross electrical system recall

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Outlander Sport, 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross, and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system that detects pedestrians. Due to incorrect software, the FCM-ECU (Electronic Control Unit) may apply braking for longer than needed, even after a pedestrian is no longer detected.

Consequence: If the FCM-ECU software activates the brake for longer than necessary, the driver may react by applying additional braking. The resulting rapid deceleration of the vehicle can increase the risk of a rear-end collision.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FCM-ECU software with updated software, free of charge.

18V621000NHTSA report received September 2018Model years: 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V621000: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross forward collision avoidance recall

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system and 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross vehicles and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system and/or an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) system. The software for the Hydraulic Unit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may be incorrect, possibly preventing the intervention of a safety system such as automatic emergency braking, Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), or the Brake Auto Hold (BAH) function when any of these systems are in use.

Consequence: If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the Hydraulic Unit-ECU software, free of charge.

What does a pre-purchase inspection cover on a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

The same full inspection at every tier, at the seller’s location, with a photo-documented report:

Condition of the body and paint, including evidence of prior repair or respray

Scratches, cracks, dents, and rust

Underbody check for rust, frame damage, or structural repair

Condition of tires and wheels, including tread depth

Glass examined for cracks, chips, and other flaws

Evidence of previous accident damage or flood damage

Lights, A/C, gauges, and operation of all other electrical items

Interior throughout — upholstery, mats, headliner, and seat belts

Motor and transmission

All driveline components, including 4-wheel and all-wheel-drive systems

Steering, suspension, braking components, and exhaust system

Visual inspection of the engine and everything else under the hood

Fluid levels, oil leaks, and any missing parts

OBD-II scan with any stored trouble codes (1996 and newer)

Any additional areas of concern you identify when you book

Road test evaluating the drivetrain — where the vehicle is street legal, insured, and weather conditions are safe

Photo-documented PDF report with a plain-English go / caution / stop summary

Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Compare Bronze, Silver and Gold. The core inspection is the same at each tier; Silver and Gold add instrumented measurements.

What does a pre-purchase inspection not do?

It does not confirm whether a recall repair was done. That is recorded against the VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

It is not a teardown or a shop diagnosis: it is a visual and operational check with an OBD-II scan.

Internal parts and software updates (for example an in-tank fuel pump or an over-the-air remedy) cannot be judged visually.

The road test happens only where the vehicle is street legal, insured, and conditions are safe.

Common questions about buying a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross have?

As of NHTSA records retrieved 2026-08-27, NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, model years 2016–2024. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, variants, trims or build dates, so a particular vehicle may be affected by all, some, or none of them, and a campaign count is not a reliability ranking. Whether an open recall is a safety risk depends on the campaign, so read the NHTSA entry for the VIN. Each campaign below shows the remedy NHTSA records, which may be a dealer or service-center repair, an over-the-air software update, or, for some campaigns, a repurchase. This page details the most recent campaigns; the full record for any VIN is at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should an inspector check on a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: electrical system, forward collision avoidance. An inspector documents the visible and operational condition of those systems without disassembly; internal parts, software-only issues and whether a recall remedy was performed are VIN-lookup questions, not inspection findings.

Can a pre-purchase inspection tell me whether a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross recall was done?

No. Whether a recall repair was performed is recorded against the VIN, so NHTSA's lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls (or the manufacturer's own) is the authoritative check. Run it before you travel. The inspection covers what a VIN lookup cannot: the physical condition of the vehicle in front of you.

Can you inspect a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross at a dealer, a private seller, or out of state?

Yes. The inspector usually travels to the vehicle at the seller's location — a dealer lot or a private seller — and you do not need to be there. Vehicle Inspectors dispatches an independent inspector within 50 miles of any US ZIP code, widening to 150 miles if needed; more remote locations are quoted case by case. You get a photo-documented PDF report in 24–48 hours.

How much does a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross pre-purchase inspection cost?

A pre-purchase inspection of a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross through Vehicle Inspectors: Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Your card is saved at booking, not charged. A hold is placed when an inspector schedules, and you are charged after the inspection is completed. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours, the request auto-cancels and nothing is charged.

Where can I book a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross pre-purchase inspection?

Vehicle Inspectors matches buyers with independent inspectors nationwide. Local pages for cities with active inspectors:

Recall data from NHTSA recall records (NHTSA public recalls API), retrieved 2026-08-27. Vehicle Inspectors is not affiliated with Mitsubishi. A recall is not a defect finding on any individual vehicle.