2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse | 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 124 | 20 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 92 | 14 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 15 | 2 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–24 | 23–38 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 38,973 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mitsubishi Eclipse | Volkswagen New Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 31 | 2 |
| Power Train | 20 | 7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 3 |
| Visibility | 10 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 10 | 2 |
| Tires | 9 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 9 | 0 |
| Stalling | 8 | 0 |
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
Compare all Mitsubishi Eclipse vs Volkswagen New Beetle years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.