What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Typical pattern

11.2% of complaints about the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.2 yr in service. The most-reported system is wheels (32 complaints), typically at 3.2 yr or about 30,512 miles.

Complaints
89
Median age at failure
4.2 yr
Median mileage
50,000 n=54
Crash / fire / tow
11.2% of reports
Safety recalls
8

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Wheels
32 reports · 30,512 mi
3.2 yr
3.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V338000 2015-06-02
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 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.

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

04V428000 2004-09-01
Equipment:other:labels

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.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

01V069000 2001-03-08
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

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.

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

01V011001 2001-01-16
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines

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.

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

01V005001 2001-01-08
Seats

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

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.

00V320001 2000-10-27
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.

THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.

00V299001 2000-10-02
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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

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.

00V225001 2000-08-10
Steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)

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.

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

In owners’ own words

Wheels mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS LOW, TOOK OFF TIRE TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR A LEAK. CONSUMER THEN NOTICED INSIDE LIP OF RIM WAS BROKEN, 9 INCHES LONG. MITSUBISHI REFUSED TO REPLACE RIM.*AK
Wheels 24,816 mi 1.4 yr in service
THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ON THE 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER DENT ALMOST EVERYTIME A MINOR POTHOLE OR RAILROAD TRACKS ARE RIDDEN OVER. I HAVE HAD TO REMOLD THE RIMS 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO. THESE RIMS SHOULD BE RECALLED FROM MITSUBISHI. FROM ALL THE REMOLDING OF THE RIMS, NOW I HAVE TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *NLM
Wheels mileage not reported 1.8 yr in service
TIRES ARE LOSING AIR, OR I AM GETTING FLATS DUE TO THE FACT THAT RIMS ARE DEFECTIVE, THEY ARE BENT OUT OF SHAPE VERY EASILY.*JB

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