NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 20 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder owner complaints

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, describing incidents dated June 11, 1997 to November 9, 2011.

Most-cited components

Power Train 6 complaints
Structure 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Equipment 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11532572 · Filed July 16, 2023
The airbag cover on the passenger side is peeling off. I feel that if I tried to glue it or modify it in any way, this action could result in the airbag not deploying like it should and cause serious injury incase of an accident.
ODI #10436766 · Filed November 22, 2011
MY CAR IS A 1997 ECLIPSE SPYDER AUTOMATIC TRANNY 2.4L . THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT WAS ON LEAN MODE, LOCKED ON 2ND GEAR AND IT COULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MILES PER HR OTHER WISE THE RPM WERE VERY HIGH... *TR
ODI #10327651 · Filed April 26, 2010
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON PASSENGER CAR TIRES. BRAND = KUMHO LINE = ECSTA ASX SIZE = 225/40/R18 DOT # = YOMX YC2F WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY SON NOTICED RUBBER CHUNKS FLYING FROM THE FRONT END OF HIS CAR. WHEN HE STOPPED TO CHECK THINGS OVER, HE FOUND THAT THE TREAD OF ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS…

Read all 20 complaints

AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES/LEAKS

NHTSA #07E055000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported July 26, 2007 · AIRTEX PRODUCTS

Potentially affected: 222 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FP072007-1 · Owners notified November 19, 2007

Defect description

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

Notes

AIRTEX RECALL NO. FP072007-1.THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER OR MITSUBISHI.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MITSUBISHI AMERICA/LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT

NHTSA #00V421001 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2000 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 567,432 vehicles

Owners notified April 2, 2001 · Vehicles built December 1, 1995 – June 30, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES.THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN APRIL 2, 2001, AND THE FINAL PHASE WILL BE COMPLETED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 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 AMERICA AT 1-888-MITSU-2001 (1-888-648-7820).ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

20 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.

Air Bags

ODI #11532572

Incident: January 1, 2010 · Filed: July 16, 2023

The airbag cover on the passenger side is peeling off. I feel that if I tried to glue it or modify it in any way, this action could result in the airbag not deploying like it should and cause serious injury incase of an accident.

Power Train

ODI #10436766

Incident: November 9, 2011 · Filed: November 22, 2011

MY CAR IS A 1997 ECLIPSE SPYDER AUTOMATIC TRANNY 2.4L . THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT WAS ON LEAN MODE, LOCKED ON 2ND GEAR AND IT COULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MILES PER HR OTHER WISE THE RPM WERE VERY HIGH... *TR

Tires

ODI #10327651

Incident: April 22, 2010 · Filed: April 26, 2010

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON PASSENGER CAR TIRES. BRAND = KUMHO LINE = ECSTA ASX SIZE = 225/40/R18 DOT # = YOMX YC2F WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY SON NOTICED RUBBER CHUNKS FLYING FROM THE FRONT END OF HIS CAR. WHEN HE STOPPED TO CHECK THINGS OVER, HE FOUND THAT THE TREAD OF ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS SEPARATING RIGHT DOWN TO THE BASE CORDS OF THE TIRE. THE SEPARATION OCCURRED ON JUST ONE EDGE OF THE TREAD AND WAS BEING UN-SPOOLED FROM THE TIRE. I AM REPORTING THIS SO THAT IT MAY BE DOCUMENTED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE IN THE NHTSA DATABASE. *TR

Structure

ODI #10207753

Incident: September 15, 2005 · Filed: November 2, 2007

PAINT JOB DEFECTS. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL MITSUBISHIS VEHICLES IN MY FAMILY. ALL RESULTING IN PAINT DEFECTS ON THE CAR. ONLY ONE HAS NOT, DEALERSHIP SAID BECAUSE THERE IS A DEFECT AND THAT ONE VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED WAS MADE AND PAINTED IN JAPAN. COST OF REPAINT OF VEHICLE IS $1500 TO $2500 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10162156

Incident: June 18, 2006 · Filed: July 11, 2006

COOLANT TANK CRACKED LEADING TO LOSS OF OVERFLOW COOLANT AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE FROM OVERHEATING. MITSUBISHI NO LONGER MAKES A REPLACEMENT PART. *JB

Power Train

ODI #10151247

Incident: February 24, 2006 · Filed: February 26, 2006

SPEED CONTROL ISSUE, GAS PEDAL STICKING, CAR CONSISTENTLY IDLES BETWEEN 1500 TO 3000 RPMS ENGINE REVVING UP AND DOWN WHILE AT A STOP AND WHILE IN PARK. MANUAL SHIFT VERY STIFF. *JB

Power Train; Equipment

ODI #10145844

Incident: December 20, 2005 · Filed: December 21, 2005

1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF CLUTCH. THE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE SLAVE CYLINDER TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CUT IN THE LINE 1MM FROM THE CONNECTION TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THIS LINE SIX (6) TIMES IN TWO YEARS. FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS. CLUTCH GOES TO THE FLOOR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TWICE & THE SLAVE CYLINDER THREE TIMES, THE LAST TIME WAS 2 WEEKS AGO. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10144372

Incident: May 5, 2005 · Filed: December 3, 2005

CAR FAILS MANDATORY OBD-II SMOG TEST DUE TO NON-CONTINUOUS READINESS MONITORS FAILING TO SET TO COMPLETE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. DEALER MUST USE MUT-II DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO SET MONITORS TO READY STATE. WHEN DIAGNOSTIC MODE IS EXITED AND IGNITION TURNED OFF MONITORS REVERT TO NOT-READY STATE. PROBLEM COMMON TO 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GST ACCORDING TO DEALER. NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. CAR DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL EMISSION REQUIREMENTS.*JB

Power Train

ODI #10132942

Incident: June 1, 2005 · Filed: August 15, 2005

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SO I STOP DRIVING IT. WHEN I TESTED IT OUT AGAIN, IT WAS EVEN WORST AND I CAN'T EVEN GO PAST 40 MPH. SO FAR THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR SINCE I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE ARE TRANSMISSION RECALLS ON THE AUTOMATIC 97 GS ECLIPSE AND WAS ADVISE NOT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT CAN RESULT IN A ACCIDENT. DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS CAR DOES HAVE A RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HTTP://WWW.AUTOSITE.COM/CONTENT/OWN/SERVICE/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/RECALLSVIEW/SERIESID/509. *NM

Structure

ODI #10119399

Incident: March 9, 2005 · Filed: May 2, 2005

CONVERTIBLE TOP WILL NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY. SUPPORT BRACKET IS BENT AND WILL NOT LET TOP LOWER COMPLETELY INTO HOUSING. THERE IS NO COMPLETE FIX FOR THIS. DEALER SAYS, THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, SUPPORT BRACKETS ARE TO THIN FOR THIS TYPE OF TOP.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder model years

Check your 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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