Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 | −36% | 1 | Brake | Average |
| 2008 | 16 | typical | 1 | Brake | Average |
| 2007 | 22 | 1.6× | 4 | Brake | Caution |
| 2005 | 2 | −79% | 2 | Fuel System | Good |
| 2004 | 6 | −50% | 4 | Wheel & Tire | Good |
| 2003 | 27 | 1.5× | 3 | Body | Caution |
| 2002 | 24 | 1.7× | 2 | Wheel & Tire | Caution |
| 2001 | 81 | 5.3× | 8 | Wheel & Tire | Avoid |
| 1999 | 11 | −14% | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 1998 | 16 | typical | 1 | Body | Average |
| 1997 | 20 | 1.2× | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 1996 | 5 | −57% | — | Airbag | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Eclipse Spyder year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems
Latest Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and…
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may seize, the ABS unit will be replaced.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Mitsubishi is recalling 45,988 my 2005-2007 endeavor, galant, eclipse coupe, and my 2007 eclipse spyder vehicles. The bracket that is the attachment point for the left rear fuel tank mounting strap May have been improperly formed during a metal stamping process.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the left rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket has splitting beyond a specific limit. Vehicles with moderate to severe splitting will be repaired using a reinforcement cap, a special…
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the key lock cable was improperly manufactured and May not allow the cable end to lock into the floor shifter mechanism. This can result in the interlock system to become inoperative and allow the ignition key to be removed without the gearshift mechanism being placed…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ignition interlock cable and replace it if necessary. The recall began on November 20, 2006. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.
Structure › Frame and members
On certain passenger vehicles, the metal forming part of the front crossmember May have been improperly stamped resulting in the metal becoming thinner in the cross-section than specified. This could, over time, result in breakage of the crossmember.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the crossmember free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2006. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 888-648-7820.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder should you avoid?
2001, 2002, 2007 and 2003 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Eclipse Spyder years at the same age, led by wheels & tires problems in the 2001.
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?
2005 has the fewest complaints compared with other Eclipse Spyder years at the same age, followed by 1996 and 2004. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the wheels & tires (59), body & structure (36) and brakes (32). Wheel & Tire complaints peak in the 2001 model year.
How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder had?
15 recalls across 1996–2009. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.