Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 235 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (1996–2009) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 81. Across all years, the part named most often is wheels (52 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Eclipse Spyder model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 | 60,284 | 1 | 32 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 16 | 59,500 | 1 | 35 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 22 | 52,000 | 4 | 33 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 6 | 42,925 | 4 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 27 | 92,500 | 3 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 24 | 38,000 | 2 | 30 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 81 | 42,300 | 8 | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 11 | 65,000 | 1 | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 16 | 58,000 | 1 | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 20 | 98,500 | 1 | 14 | — | Rising |
| 1996 | 5 | 100,000 | 0 | 14 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Wheels52 25%
- Body and structure36 17%
- Brakes32 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain28 13%
- Air bags18 8.7%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)14 6.7%
- Tires14 6.7%
- Engine cooling14 6.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “I was driving my wifes 2007 Mitsubishi eclipse spider home from the store when deer ran out in front of me going 25 MPH went to apply the brakes pedal went to the floor causing me to go offroad instead of stopping ending up in a ditch”
NHTSA complaint #10836549, filed 2016-02, 10 miles2003: “On november 28, 2015 my passenger front tire explosively failed coming out of a left turn at about 25 MPH causing my car to drop and swerve, crashing into a tall street curb and storm sewer drain causing $2000 damage to my car. The outer sidewall separated circumferentially from the tread. This premium tire was only seven months old with minimal wear. I check my tire pressure and fluids every time I buy gas, overhauled the suspension that summer and didn't believe it was my fault. …”
NHTSA complaint #10851094, filed 2016-03, 106,000 miles2009: “In july of 2015,I received a safety recall notice concerning the ABS in my vehicle. Mitsubishi wrote, mmna will contact you again by mail, with a follow-up recall notice, when the remedy parts are available. I have called my local dealership, and have been told that nothing has happened with the recall. So, I have been driving (as little as possible) a vehicle that could cause injury or death for seven months, while new parts are manufactured. Please light a fire under Mitsubishi to get the parts made!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10821515, filed 2016-01, 60,000 milesOther Mitsubishi models
2,131 complaintsMitsubishi Galant
1,781 complaintsMitsubishi Outlander
1,323 complaintsMitsubishi Lancer
861 complaintsMitsubishi Montero
770 complaintsMitsubishi Mirage
689 complaintsMitsubishi Diamante
502 complaintsMitsubishi Outlander Sport
473 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology