← New search

2001 Mitsubishi 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

All reported categories

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 34 unknown

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.

  • Wheels. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND EXHIBITED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED, IT WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND EXHIBITED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED, IT WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10432234

87,334 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE EXISTING RECALL APPLIED TO 2.4 ENGINES NOT 3.0. THE CONTACT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE EXISTING RECALL APPLIED TO 2.4 ENGINES NOT 3.0. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NUMBER 00V299001 DOES NOT STIPULATE THE ENGINE SIZE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,334. UPDATED 5/26/09 *CN THE CONSUMER MENTIONED RECALL# 99V333001, BUT WAS TOLD HIS/HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MANUFACTURED DATE. UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10266528

100,000 miles · Mar 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE SUPPORT BOLT CAME OUT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND MADE NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING…

Read full complaint

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE SUPPORT BOLT CAME OUT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND MADE NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A TUNE UP. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, THAT THE ONE IN THE VEHICLE WAS WORN OUT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10184984

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER 6/2001 I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK 2 TIMES DUE TO THE DEFECT OF THE HOSE HOOKED TO THE RADIATOR, THEY REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANY, AND NOW IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WHICH ALL MITSUBISHI DEALERS TELL ME BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT ON THE RECALL LIST THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO…

Read full complaint

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER 6/2001 I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK 2 TIMES DUE TO THE DEFECT OF THE HOSE HOOKED TO THE RADIATOR, THEY REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANY, AND NOW IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WHICH ALL MITSUBISHI DEALERS TELL ME BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT ON THE RECALL LIST THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I JUST GOT DONE PUTTING BRAND NEW SWAY BAR LINKS ON THE CAR, AND PAID 350.00 TO DO THIS IN WHICH THEY TOLD ME SHOULD NEVER OCCURRED ON THIS NEW OF A CAR. I FEEL SINCE I REPORTED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE NOISE FROM THE FIRST WEEK I GOT THE CAR ALL THE WAY UNTIL RECENT WHEN I FIXED IT, THEY OVERLOOKED IT AND IGNORED THE PROBLEM WHICH COULD HAVE COST ME AND MY SON OUR LIVES. I FEEL MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER THESE THINGS SINCE THERE IS PROOF I TOOK IT IN OVER 13 TIMES FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT NOISE UNDER THE CAR (SWAY BAR LINKS) AND RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BURNING. PLEASE NOTE THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE 7/2001 THE MONTH AND YEAR I HAVE MARKED BELOW ARE FOR THE DEFECTIVE HOSES ON MY RADIATOR CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BURN AND THIS WAS VERIFIED ON THIS DATE BELOW BY A PROFESSIONAL SHOP. THIS HAS NOT CAUGHT FIRE YET BUT SMOKE COMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR ALL THE TIME AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116576

Official recalls

8

15V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 2, 2015

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 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

01V069000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Mar 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

01V011001 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Jan 16, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

01V005001 · Seats

Jan 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE REAR ANCHOR BOLTS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

00V299001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Oct 2, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

00V225001 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Aug 10, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.

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

2

EA02007 · Aluminum Alloy Wheel Denting

Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed May 1, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

PE01044 · Alloy Wheel Denting And Fracturing

Opened Dec 18, 2001 · Closed May 31, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels

No summary supplied.