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: 11 of 24 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.
Wheels. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
24 reports
138,000 miles · Jun 9, 2022
Power TrainService BrakesSteering
The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, th…
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The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle instead started reversing unintendedly. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the power train needed to be reprogrammed and other repairs needed to be completed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked and the brake pedal was firm. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #11468436
73,500 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INOPERABLE AND WERE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INOPERABLE AND WERE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE CRACKED RIBS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ALSO CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500. MITSUBISHI WAS CALLED WITH SAME INFO. UPDATED 11/03/2011 *LN *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425768
69,050 miles · Mar 28, 2011
Wheels
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, TIRE BEGAN LOSING AIR. TOOK TO THE TIRE DEALER AND NO TIRE PROBLEM WAS FOUND. TWO WEEKS LATER TIRE WOULD HOLD NO AIR, RETURNED TO THE TIRE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE TIRE TO HOLD AIR. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW WHEEL AND A NEW TIRE SINCE RIDING ON LOW…
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UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, TIRE BEGAN LOSING AIR. TOOK TO THE TIRE DEALER AND NO TIRE PROBLEM WAS FOUND. TWO WEEKS LATER TIRE WOULD HOLD NO AIR, RETURNED TO THE TIRE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE TIRE TO HOLD AIR. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW WHEEL AND A NEW TIRE SINCE RIDING ON LOW / NO AIR DAMAGED THE TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393118
38,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE DASHBOARD COVER SUSTAINED EXCESSIVE CRACKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE PART.…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE DASHBOARD COVER SUSTAINED EXCESSIVE CRACKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10302350
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFireInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CONVERTIBLE. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE MITSUBISHI MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CONVERTIBLE. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE MITSUBISHI MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER NOR THE DECEDENT HER HUSBAND OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HUSBAND DIED TRYING TO HELP THE OTHER OCCUPANT WHO DID OWN THE VEHICLE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROADWAY ON THE LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY ON THE LEFT A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE MEDIAN BARRIER CABLE FACE AND A BRIDGE PIER. THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO REST IN THE MEDIAN FACING NORTH AFTER THE COLLISION. UPDATED 02/03/10
NHTSA ODI #10299083
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2008
Structure
INCIDENTS: THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS AND THE SEATBELTS GET COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS ESPECIALLY IN DOWNPOURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220434
69,000 miles · May 9, 2007
Electrical System
MITSUBISHI PAINT PROBLEM! 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, BLACK. THE PAINT HAS FAIDED WHITE INTO HUGE PATCHES ON THE HOOD AND TRUNK. A SHAME MITSUBISHI HAS SUCH A PAINT PROBLEM FROM THE EARLIER 2000'S AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10190308
35,000 miles · Jun 17, 2006
Suspension
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN APR. 2002 AND SINCE THEN HAVE ONLY PUT 40K MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A SQUEAKY NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION WHEN I BOUGHT IT BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS NOTHING. NOW, THE CAR SHAKES AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND MORE AND IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME, IT SHAKES ALMOST AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. DIAGNOSIS…
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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN APR. 2002 AND SINCE THEN HAVE ONLY PUT 40K MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A SQUEAKY NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION WHEN I BOUGHT IT BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS NOTHING. NOW, THE CAR SHAKES AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND MORE AND IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME, IT SHAKES ALMOST AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. DIAGNOSIS HAS REVEALED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE RESULTING IN THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ASKED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR CONTROL ARM. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE FOR POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING FAULTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10160083
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2005
Structure
CRACKING DASHBORD ON 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPIDER .NO INCIDENT YET,COULD HAPPEN DRIVING WITH THE TOP DOWN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135908
44,000 miles · Jun 9, 2005
Fuel System, Other
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR FELT WOBBLY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE WAS A MISFIRE WHICH COULD MEAN I NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS BUT SHOULDN'T UNTIL 60,000; I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON MY CAR. HE REPLACED ALL SIX SPARK PLUGS BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SO HE REPLACED THE WIRES, CAP AND ROTOR, THE CH…
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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR FELT WOBBLY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE WAS A MISFIRE WHICH COULD MEAN I NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS BUT SHOULDN'T UNTIL 60,000; I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON MY CAR. HE REPLACED ALL SIX SPARK PLUGS BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SO HE REPLACED THE WIRES, CAP AND ROTOR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON SO HE DID A COMPRESSION TEST AND SAID MY 6TH PISTON WAS NOT HOLDING COMPRESSION AND THIS WAS A BIGGER PROBLEM SO I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT TO MILLER MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A MISFIRE AND MY 6TH PISTON WAS NOT HOLDING COMPRESSION. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY SAID THERE ARE DENTS ON THE 6TH PISTON FROM SOMETHING BEING DROPPED INTO THE ENGINE THEREFORE THAT IS WHY IT WON'T HOLD COMPRESSION AND I NEED A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. THE ONLY WORK I EVER HAD DONE PRIOR TO THIS WAS OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE AT 44,000 MILES. MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.
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.
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.
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
1
EA02007 · Aluminum Alloy Wheel Denting
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed May 1, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year