Most common 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder complaints by model year
Best Eclipse Spyder years: 2005, 1996, 2004. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2007, 2003. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder:
Lower contrtol arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Eclipse Spyder rates better than average: 57% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Eclipse Spyder at the same age. It is one of the best Eclipse Spyder years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?
The air bags — 1 complaint, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the electrical system (1) and wheels & tires (1).
How many recalls does the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1996 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2003. See the full Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.