Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
What to check on a used Eclipse Cross, petrol or PHEV, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- YA 2018–2020
- YB 2021–2025
Or get a checklist built for the exact Eclipse Cross you're looking at:
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The most commonly reported problems on a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross are shudder or surging from the CVT automatic, touchscreen and Bluetooth faults, the emergency braking system braking when there's nothing there, and hesitation or stalling when cold. On a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), check the battery's range and charging too.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
CVT Automatic Problems
Many Eclipse Crosses use a CVT automatic, which uses a belt between two pulleys instead of fixed gears. A worn CVT can judder, surge or whine, and the fluid needs changing on schedule, which owners often skip.
On the test drive, accelerate gently from a stop and then firmly up a hill. Feel for a shudder as you pull away, revs rising without the car speeding up to match, surging at steady speeds, and listen for a whine that grows with speed. Any warning light or the car going into a limp mode is a bad sign.
Ask when the CVT fluid was last changed and whether the gearbox has ever been repaired or replaced, with receipts. A CVT replacement is one of the most expensive repairs on the car, so if it shows any of these signs, walk away or have a specialist check it.
Infotainment and Bluetooth Faults
Owners of Eclipse Crosses report touchscreens that freeze, reboot or lose the phone connection. It's an annoyance more than a danger, but on later cars the screen also runs the reversing camera and settings.
Connect your phone by Bluetooth and by cable (CarPlay or Android Auto, if fitted), make a call, play music and use the navigation. Select Reverse and check the camera comes up straight away and stays on.
A software update at a dealer sometimes fixes it; a replacement screen costs much more. Ask whether it's had either, and price a fault into your offer.
Emergency Braking When There's Nothing There
Owners report the automatic emergency braking system warning or braking hard for no reason, sometimes called phantom braking. It's unsettling and can be dangerous in traffic.
On the test drive, drive on a mix of roads, past parked cars and under bridges, and watch for false collision warnings or sudden braking. Check the windscreen in front of the camera and the front sensor area for damage or a poor repair.
A software update or recalibration at a dealer sometimes fixes it. Ask whether it's happened and what was done, with receipts; if it brakes for no reason on the test drive, have a dealer check it before you buy.
Hesitation or Stalling When Cold
Owners report the engine hesitating, running roughly or stalling in the first minutes after a cold start.
Ask for the engine to be cold when you arrive. Start it yourself, let it idle, then drive off gently: it should idle smoothly and pull away without stumbling or cutting out. Check for an engine warning light.
Ask whether any engine software updates or repairs have been done, with receipts. If it stalls or the engine light is on, have a mechanic check it before you buy.
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Years to Avoid?
No Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
- YA (2018–2020). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
- YB (2021–2025). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Eclipse Cross you're looking at, from its listing.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Inspection Checklist
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
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Before You Go
01
Exterior
02
Under the Bonnet
03
Underbody and Wheels
04
Interior and Electrics
05
Test Drive
06
Documentation
Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Take this checklist to the viewing.
Download the free PDFOr let Shufti tailor it to the car from the listing link, with PPSR and recall checks included.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mitsubishi; Mitsubishi and Eclipse Cross are trademarks of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What This Guide Can't Tell You About the Eclipse Cross You're Looking At
3+
recalls on Eclipse Crosses built since 2018
5
common faults reported on Eclipse Crosses built since 2018
100
owner complaints on Eclipse Crosses built since 2018
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
A Shufti inspection covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- PPSR and government recall checks included
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
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Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them.
Buying a Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Questions Answered
Is a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross years should I avoid?
No Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
This checklist covers the YA (2018–2020) and YB (2021–2025) Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. Problems reported across them include CVT shudder or surging, infotainment and Bluetooth faults, emergency braking when there's nothing there and hesitation or stalling when cold.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre SUV with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services, done short trips or been used for rideshare. Check the history for regular servicing, and on a hybrid ask for a battery health check.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?
It's worth it if you can. All-wheel-drive and hybrid systems can hide faults that only a mechanic's tools will show. Most buyers don't book one, though, so whatever you decide, check the car thoroughly yourself with this checklist first. See Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?
How do I check a used Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off, and costs $2. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | This Guide Free the basics, on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
PPSR and government recall checks | Yes | No | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
See it for yourself. Open the free sample report in the app, no sign-up needed.
Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the general used car inspection checklist or browse every inspection checklist.