1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 20%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, 20% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Car fails mandatory obd-ii smog test due to non-continuous readiness monitors failing to set to complete during normal driving. Dealer must use mut-ii diagnostic tool to set monitors to ready state. When diagnostic mode is exited and ignition turned off monitors revert to not-ready state. Problem common to 1997 Mitsubishi eclipse gst according to dealer. No remedy available. Car does not meet federal emission requirements.”
NHTSA complaint #10144372, filed 2005-12, 57,595 miles“Coolant tank cracked leading to loss of overflow coolant and potential engine failure from overheating. Mitsubishi no longer makes a replacement part.”
NHTSA complaint #10162156, filed 2006-07, 96,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology