IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

We've identified 2 known issues that can affect the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. 1 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

2
Known Issues
1
Serious
0
Moderate
1
Minor

All Known Issues

CVT judder, shudder and belt slip (automatic)

SeriousGearbox & Transmission

The Jatco CVT fitted to automatic Eclipse Cross models can develop whine, judder or shudder, particularly when hot, and in severe cases slip into limp mode. Fault data logs CVT belt slip or overheating as a high-risk issue typically appearing from around 50,000 miles, starting with a fluid change or valve-body work and ending in a costly rebuild. Honest John owners describe the CVT as noisy under acceleration, and Car Magazine's long-term testers named the gearbox among the car's main irritants, preferring the manual. As the Eclipse Cross was petrol-only in the UK, every automatic example has this CVT.

Est. Repair Cost: £200-£3,500
Warning Signs:

Whine or whistling from the gearbox under acceleration, Judder or shudder when pulling away, Limp mode or loss of drive when hot, Delayed or hesitant gearbox response

What to Inspect:
  • Drive the car for 20+ minutes then accelerate hard to check for shudder or limp mode
  • Ask for CVT fluid change records (Mitsubishi advises changes every 60,000 km)
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Brake pads and discs wearing thin

MinorBrakes

DVSA MOT data for 2024 shows brakes as an above-average failure area for the Eclipse Cross, with worn brake lining or pads below 1.5mm the single most common failure item, appearing in about 30% of failed tests. As a relatively heavy SUV often used on short urban trips, pads and discs can wear faster than expected, and rear discs can corrode where the car sits idle. Scraping or grinding under braking, pedal vibration or pulling to one side are the warning signs; pads are cheap, but discs left too long cost more.

Est. Repair Cost: £90-£250
Warning Signs:

Scraping or grinding noise when braking, Brake pedal vibration or pulsation, Car pulling to one side under braking

What to Inspect:
  • Check MOT history for brake pad or disc advisories and failures
  • Test the brakes from 30-50 mph for noise, vibration or pulling
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

  • Prefer a manual or a CVT with recorded fluid changes; on the test drive accelerate through 30-50 mph and reject any judder, whine or shudder from the gearbox.
  • Enter the registration on the GOV.UK recall checker - the 2018 brake/FCM software recalls and the 2021 wheel-arch moulding recall were free fixes that may never have been done.
  • The 1.5 petrol is chain-driven, so there is no cambelt, but listen for a cold-start rattle that could indicate a stretched timing chain on high-mileage cars.
  • Operate every button on the 7-inch SDA touchscreen and the trackpad; Bluetooth audio dropouts and unresponsive controls were common.
  • Check the front-right wheel arch moulding is securely fitted - a detached moulding at speed is a hazard and was the subject of the November 2021 recall.
Check a 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross by Registration