1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure; the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2011
“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”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2010
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Coolant tank cracked leading to loss of overflow coolant and potential engine failure from overheating. Mitsubishi no longer makes a replacement part. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 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”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2006
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2005
“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”Owner report · Structure · Sep 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”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 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.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2005
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Eclipse Spyder by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.