Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross I vs Seat Ateca: which is more reliable?
According to the MotorFiable Score, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross I (8.7/10) has fewer serious documented faults than the Seat Ateca (5.9/10), mainly because of their engines.
| Item | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross I | Seat Ateca |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Compact SUV | Compact SUV |
| Years | 2018–2025 | 2016–today |
| MotorFiable Score | 8.7 out of 10 | 5.9 out of 10 |
| Engine score | 10.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Most recommended engine | Mitsubishi PHEV · Buy | 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI · Buy |
| Score for the rest of the car | 7.4/10 | 4.9/10 |
| Suspension | 9.1 out of 101 faultLow severity | 9.1 out of 100 faults |
| Brakes | 7.9 out of 100 faults | 7.9 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
| Steering | 8.1 out of 100 faults | 7.9 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
| Gearbox and clutch | 8.6 out of 101 faultMedium severity | 4.6 out of 102 faults |
| Electrical system | 9.3 out of 101 faultMedium severity | No documented faults |
| Bodywork and interior | 8.5 out of 101 faultLow severity | 7.7 out of 100 faults |
| Airbags and safety | 7.9 out of 101 faultHigh severity | 7.1 out of 101 faultCritical severity |
Scores out of 10: the higher, the fewer serious documented faults. How we calculate them
Main faults of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross I
Outside the engine
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyAutomatic braking and stability control softwareMitsubishi recalled the Eclipse Cross (2017-2021) over the software of the FCM automatic braking system, which misprocesses camera images; an earlier 2018 campaign corrected the ASC and the brake hydraulic unit.Repair: €0
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchHarsh manual gearbox and grinding from 1st to 2ndOwners of the 1.5 T Eclipse Cross with manual gearbox describe abrupt engagement of 2nd and grinding when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and a German analysis also cites difficulty starting due to poor clutch modulation.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareElectrical systemOverheating of the heated windscreen terminalEclipse Cross models from 2018-2019 with a heated windscreen are under a campaign for poor soldering that can overheat the electrical terminal.Repair: €0
Main faults of the Seat Ateca
Outside the engine
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentSteeringCorrosion of the bolt that secures the steering rackYes: in September 2026 Volkswagen, Audi and Seat recalled cars built between 2016 and 2024, including the Ateca, because a bolt that secures the steering rack to the front axle can break through corrosion and leave the car without steering control. The repair is free at the official network.Repair: €0
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonAirbags and safetyTakata airbag with a risk of inflator ruptureOn very early Ateca vehicles (2016-2017) an airbag with a Takata inflator may be fitted that, in a real accident, could generate excessive pressure and cause the casing to rupture and throw out fragments. It is a Seat campaign covering around 300,000 cars across five models; you check it by chassis number.Repair: €0
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesWeld defect in the brake pedalOn 2020-2021 vehicles with a DSG gearbox, Seat found that a defective weld between the brake pedal and its support plate could deform or come apart under hard braking. The brand contacted the affected owners directly to inspect the weld and change the pedal if necessary.Repair: €0
In their engines
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentDSG7 DQ200Mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housingYes: the mechatronic unit is the DQ200's most cited weak point. Its pressure accumulator and hydraulic pump can fail because of a housing design defect, with fault warnings, limp mode or loss of drive; Volkswagen has acknowledged the problem with service actions and software updates.Repair (garage): €600–€2,200
- High severityFrequency: Common2.0 TSI / TFSIHigh oil consumptionIt is the most repeated complaint on first-batch EA888s (2008-2012) and still appears, to a lesser extent, in later generations. The engine needs topping up between services with no visible leak or obvious smoke at first.Repair (garage): €1,500–€4,000
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonDSG7 DQ200Premature dry clutch wear and judder when drivingYes: the DQ200's dry clutch wears out sooner than a wet one, especially in stop-start urban traffic. It warns of its condition with judder or jerking when pulling away, slipping when accelerating and, in advanced cases, a burning smell; specialists put its service life at between 120,000 and 180,000 km depending on use.Repair (garage): €500–€1,100Appears at around 120,000 km