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Mitsubishi Eclipse SpyderModel year report

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
92,500miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The part named most often is body and structure, with 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and other or unknown (4). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 15% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 92,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 30 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “My Mitsubishi spyder 03 started having some white/ yellow spotting about a year ago, and the last few months getting worse, looking like the pain is also cracking in some spots. I am real anal about waxing my car, always clean, always looking nice. And now my car looks like crud. Paint fading, and cracking..”

NHTSA complaint #10347294, filed 2010-08, 83,000 miles

Air bags: “Takata airbag: my incident has already been reported. I am adding the police report. I am still requiring surgery and unable to use my left arm 10 months later.”

NHTSA complaint #11024118, filed 2017-09, 135,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Takata recall: my vehicle is involved in the NHTSA campaign number 15v338000.on october 29, 2016, I was driving towards my home. After being in the stopped position for the duration of the left turn signal at the intersection of fm 518 and fm 1128 in pearland, texas, the light turned green and I proceeded down 1128 toward my home. After proceeding about1 block, my passenger airbag suddenly deployed. There was no passenger in my vehicle and nothing on the passenger seat, either.there were no other cars on the road. I had the windows open and the top down. …”

NHTSA complaint #11001575, filed 2017-06, 136,000 miles

Tires: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

15% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,500 and 126,300 miles.

5%0–1010%10–250%25–5015%50–7520%75–10040%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 92,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’024’05’074’09’11’15’17
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Eclipse Spyder FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual202823$2,900
Eclipse Spyder FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
Eclipse Spyder FWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual182621$3,900
Eclipse Spyder FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182520$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 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. 30 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 30 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2009760,2841—22—Not enough data
20081659,5001—22—Falling
20072252,0004—22—Stable
2004642,9254—21—Not enough data
20032792,5003—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022438,0002—21—Falling
20018142,3008—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19991165,0001———Not enough data
19981658,0001———Stable
19972098,5001———Rising
19965100,0000———Not enough data

All Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.

Has the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (Eclipse Spyder, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 92,500 miles and the middle half falls between 62,500 and 126,300 miles; 15% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.