Mitsubishi Spyder Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the Mitsubishi Spyder (2001–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 13. Across all years, the part named most often is wheels (8 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 | 12,600 | 0 | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 13 | 58,000 | 0 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Wheels8 36%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)3 14%
- Body and structure3 14%
- Transmission and drivetrain2 9.1%
- Tires2 9.1%
- Engine cooling2 9.1%
- Seat belts1 4.5%
- Exterior lighting1 4.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2001: “All of the wheels on my eclipse Spyder are damaged from normal driving. Mitsubishi claims I have hit pot holes, curbs, etc.but I have not. Making a u-turn in a parking lot caused 4 waves in my rear drivers side wheel and caused my tire to go flat.”
NHTSA complaint #10133540, filed 2005-08, 58,000 miles2003: “The paint on my new vehicle began peeling off the hood in quarter-sized chunks as I was washing it by hand. Although the dealer initially attempted to deny responsibility, they reluctantly agreed to repaint hood, acknowledging that there was an adherence issue. I discovered through a source in the Mitsubishi factory that there was a lot of cars that they failed to place an e-seal on prior painting. When my VIN was checked, my source discovered that it was one of the vehicles in that lot. I was told to expect further paint issues with the doors in the near future by this source. …”
NHTSA complaint #10006547, filed 2002-12, 7,000 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 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology