1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure.
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 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The spyder gs has always leaked from the soft top seals specially from the top right passenger side. It is a very common issue in the 2nd generation spyder gs which im suprised it has never been a recall for the weather stripping. Dealership charges 300 for the weatherstripping and they still leak after a couple years. I dont have pictures but after rain, the whold car is wet and as I drive and take my first turn, the vehicle starts to leak from the corner and gets center console and radio wet. All over the eclipse forums you will see the issue without a recall. Mitsubishi has not yet given advice on how go fix this. Car cant be driven in the rain without having to leak.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2018
“Both my handles broke off, the drivers side arm rest,( where the buttons for the windows are), fell off and into the cavity below. The convertible top leaks badly along the point where the top meets the car windshield,windows,and back window. Very upset that there are many people with same problem yet no one wants to address the issue...mitsubishi should pay for repairs... *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Jun 2005
“The convertible top motors have gone out again. I have had the motors serviced several time over 4 times in two years. Apparnetly the gear pins break within the motors and cause them to fail. I cannot open nor close my convertible top.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“In the summer of 2003 my clutch master cylinder started leaking so ireplaced it. Then in may of 2004 my clutch failed so I had it replaced with a stock clutch. Two months later the engine developed signs of "crankwalk", which happens to alot of 95-99 mitsubishi eclipses. I had it formally diagnosed with crankwalk and now I can no longer drive my car. I now have to replace my motor with a new one that will cost $3000 and it might end at the same fate. I have done alot of research and there are thousands who have had this happen but, mitsubishi will not issue a recall for their product. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2004
“Convertible top does not go down all the way. Design flaw causes the top stack control links to bend upon opening and closing the top. The replacement parts along with labor is ridiculously high over $650. Mitsubishi who is fully aware of this design flaw, refuses to accept any responsibility.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2004
“Recall work that would not be completed, unless additional diagnostics were purchased and paid for. Subsequently, I continue to drive around with the defective control-arm ball joints on my 1998 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. I have no other dealerships within 25 miles of my town, and I believe concord mitsubishi uses this fact to take advantage of their customers. *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2004
“Both of my outside handles on my car fell off within a couple months of each other. I didn't realize that my passenger side handle fell off until I saw it missing on day. The driver side handle fell off as I went out to my car one morning to leave for work. I went to lift up on the handle and it came right off. There was no vandalisim, just a faulty product. I had to pay $367 to get new handles put back on the car, plus $22.50 for towing the car to a mitsubishi dealer because you can't get into a car if you have no handle to lift.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2003
“The roof of my 1998 mitsubishi eclipse spyder is not functioning properly due to two brackets bending when you open the roof. I had this fixed at the dealer in september 2002 and then it just happened again the first time that I opened the roof this spring (march 14, 2003). *nlm”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2002
“Consumer states that vehicle pulls excessively to the right. Vehicle checked by dealer who ruled out the tires or vehicle's alignment as causes. The dealer informed the consumer issue is part of vehicle's normal operation. Ts”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2002
“Convertible top is not functioning properly. Adhesive is loosening, creating a strain on the straps. Two levers that help top fold are bending, so top does not close properly.*ak”Owner report · Structure · May 2002
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 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 1998 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.