1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 98,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (30% of the total), followed by body and structure (5) and engine cooling (4). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,500 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure5 25%
- Engine cooling4 20%
- Tires2 10%
- Air bags1 5.0%
- Equipment1 5.0%
- Fuel system1 5.0%
- Wheels1 5.0%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder catastrophic failure of clutch. The line that runs from the slave cylinder to the master cylinder has what appears to be a cut in the line 1mm from the connection to the master cylinder. I have now replaced this line six (6) times in two years. Failure usually occurs after driving the car at highway speeds for 2 or more hours. Clutch goes to the floor due to loss of fluid. I have also replaced the master cylinder twice & the slave cylinder three times, the last time was 2 weeks ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10145844, filed 2005-12, 104,000 milesBody and structure: “Roof leaked & would not fully retract due to deformation of structural roof members (roof pillars). Required replacement of 3 major roof members plus installation of straps (as defined in technical service bulletin). This was a structural failure of the roof design known to Mitsubishi, but no recall or consumer alert was communicated.”
NHTSA complaint #10110684, filed 2005-02, 47,000 milesEngine cooling: “The thrust washer is welded to the crankshaft in my car. For whatever reason, there is a defect in the thrust washers that cause there to be an increase in the amount of play in the crankshaft. This causes what had been termed the crankshaft walk . Among other symptoms, common and what happened to my car was that the 5 speed manual transmission started to lock up on me where I could not even get the car in gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007353, filed 2002-09, 232,110 milesTires: “Front left tire continuously deflating, leading to rapid deflation because of a seven inch cut along the seam of the tire. Fortunately it happened at a very low speed and I was able to get off the road safely. I had just left the highway and was driving 70 MPH. Replaced all four tires.”
NHTSA complaint #10088718, filed 2004-08, 103,277 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,000 and 104,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 00V421001Dec 18, 2000Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 1997–1999, Galant 1994–1998, Eclipse 1995–1999 +1 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the…
Recall details for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022Other or unknown, Exterior lighting. This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a…
- 10169006Nov 26, 2019Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703Jul 30, 2019Equipment. This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10130469Feb 26, 2018Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015Wheels, Exterior lighting, Visibility (wipers, defrost…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170070Jul 29, 2015Equipment. This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015Suspension, Transmission and drivetrain, Seats, Fuel…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170099Mar 5, 2013Equipment. This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain, Steering…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain, Fuel…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 | 60,284 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 16 | 59,500 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 22 | 52,000 | 4 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 6 | 42,925 | 4 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 27 | 92,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 24 | 38,000 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 81 | 42,300 | 8 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 11 | 65,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 16 | 58,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 20 | 98,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 1996 | 5 | 100,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (30% of the total), followed by body and structure with 5.
Has the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,500 miles and the middle half falls between 47,000 and 104,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.