2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 81 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is wheels (41% of complaints); the 1999 and 2002 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. The contact stated that the transmission failed due to an internal spring fracturing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who rebuilt the transmission. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01v011001 (power train). The dealer and manufacturer had been notified of the failure and indicated that there was no service campaign and recall to provide a solution. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a tune up and the failure codes for p0301, p0401, and the egr appeared. The codes were cleared, but the p0301 failure code reappeared. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle was later taken in for smog inspection and failed. The vehicle was diagnosed for egr failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician repaired the problem, however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to a dealer but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 315,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. While driving approximately 30 mph, the drivers side sun visor opened independently and struck the contact on the bridge of her nose, breaking her glasses. The contact pulled over and repositioned the sun visor back on the clips. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The failure recurred on several occasions on the driver and passenger side sun visors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that NHTSA campaign number: 15v338000 (air bags) did not include the driver side sun visor. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Apr 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving from the highway on an off ramp at 50 mph, engine (rpm) started bogging down, then both front tires locked up to a screeching halt. I almost slide off the ramp and almost got rear ended by a semi truck behind me. Front tires were locked up, would not move out of the road and would not come out of gear. Had it towed to repair shop and was quoted $3,000 just to pull the transmission for diagnostics. Was told transmission failed and vehicle would not be worth the money to fix because front strut towers both were rusted. Had vehicle towed home and I will try to perform the repair myself. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant to start and exhibited an overpowering gasoline odor. When the vehicle was able to be started, it would sputter and stall sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not determine what caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 127,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2011
“On the morning of march 3, 2011 I was involved in a wreck, slamming into a chevrolet cobalt which was later cited for failure to yield. I was driving a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse gt convertible at the posted speed of 45 mph. I slid approximately 8 feet before hitting the passenger side door of the cobalt. My airbags did not deploy at the time of the crash, or even afterward for that matter. The frame in the front is bent significantly higher than its previous arrangement, and is being found as a total loss. I plan on pursuing legal action because of the faulty making of this vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2011
“The headlight plug burned the connection. This resulted in a substantial loss of light output/ no headlights. The plastic plug is also melted, causing a concern for fire and appearing that a small fire may have happened. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 50 mph, the transmission failed. He was able to move the vehicle off of the road and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the transmission was contaminated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure and current mileages were approximately 106,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. After parking her vehicle, she was unable to restart it. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the harness for the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the existing recall applied to 2.4 engines not 3.0. The contact stated that recall number 00v299001 does not stipulate the engine size. The failure mileage was 87,334. Updated 5/26/09 *cn the consumer mentioned recall# 99v333001, but was told his/her vehicle was not included in the recall due to the manufactured date. Updated 05/28/09.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2009
“On my 2001 eclipse spyder, headlights began to go out, but moving wire connection on back of headlamps would correct the problem momentarily. The problem occurred more and more frequently, and one headlamp stopped functioning altogether, and now both went out on me while driving almost getting into a accident. When I checked the problem the headlight boxes that connect to the wires were melted and eventually burned off and broke. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 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 AT 1-800-222-0037.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 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 AT 1-800-222-0037.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 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 AT 1-800-222-0037.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?
NHTSA has 81 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The most complained-about area is wheels (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,650 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.