← New search

1997 Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse Spyder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Eclipse Spyder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Structure complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
88,000 miles · Feb 24, 2005
Structure

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LITERALLY LEAKS SO BAD THAT THE WHOLE INTERIOR IS MOLDY. THERE IS A "LAKE" IN THE TRUNK UNDER THE SPARE TIRE. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THE TOP WILL BECOME UNLOCKED AND FLY UP. THE SUPPORT BARS ARE BENT AND THE STRAPS ARE JUST HANGING. THE TOP DOES GO UP AND DOWN, BUT VERY SLOW…

Read full complaint

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LITERALLY LEAKS SO BAD THAT THE WHOLE INTERIOR IS MOLDY. THERE IS A "LAKE" IN THE TRUNK UNDER THE SPARE TIRE. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THE TOP WILL BECOME UNLOCKED AND FLY UP. THE SUPPORT BARS ARE BENT AND THE STRAPS ARE JUST HANGING. THE TOP DOES GO UP AND DOWN, BUT VERY SLOWLY AND NOT STRAIGHT. I HAVE TO ADJUST THE TOP AS IT IS GOING UP AND DOWN. MITSUBISHI HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN MY CAR. THE TOP HAS GOTTEN SO UNSTABLE THAT I CAN'T GO OVER 60 MPH. OR I CAN HEAR THE LOCKS LOOSENING UP AND WIND STARTS TO COME IN TO THE CAR NEAR THE LOCKS. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME IN MY BATTLE TO DRIVE A SAFE CAR. I ALSO HURT MY SHOULDER WHEN I CAUGHT THE TOP WHEN IT FLEW UP THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE ALL THE DOCTOR RECORDS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY RECORDS." *NM

NHTSA ODI #10113028

Official recalls

1

00V421003 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Apr 6, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.