2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 24 owner complaints on record; most reports concern wheels; the 2004 model year looks 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 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. The contact stated that he approached an intersection driving 15 mph when he was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not restrain him. Both vehicles were inoperable and were towed from the scene. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained three cracked ribs and was transported to the hospital. The police were also contacted and a report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,500. Mitsubishi was called with same info. Updated 11/03/2011 *ln *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2011
“Under normal driving conditions, tire began losing air. Took to the tire dealer and no tire problem was found. Two weeks later tire would hold no air, returned to the tire dealer and they found that the wheel was cracked and would not allow the tire to hold air. I had to purchase a new wheel and a new tire since riding on low / no air damaged the tire. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2011
“Incidents: the convertible top leaks and the seatbelts get completely soaked with water every time it rains especially in downpours. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. While driving approximately 45 mph the driver observed that the dashboard cover sustained excessive cracks. The manufacturer was notified of the defect; however, the part was unavailable. The vehicle has not been repaired due to the unavailability and uncertainty of the part. The failure mileage was 38,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2007
“Mitsubishi paint problem! 2002 mitsubishi eclipse, black. The paint has faided white into huge patches on the hood and trunk. A shame mitsubishi has such a paint problem from the earlier 2000's and will not do anything about it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2007
“I bought the car in apr. 2002 and since then have only put 40k miles on it. There was a squeaky noise from the suspension when I bought it but the dealership said it is nothing. Now, the car shakes at speeds of 60 mph and more and if brakes are applied at the same time, it shakes almost as if it is going to fall apart. Diagnosis has revealed that the rear control arm bushings are resulting in this problem. I have asked to replace the entire rear control arm. I would like to request NHTSA to investigate for possible manufacturing faults. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2006
“I own a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse spyder gt. I was in a relatively minor car accident. About 2 months ofter the accident and repairs had been made, one of my tires could not hold tire pressure. I had the tires replaced on the vehicle. The same tire continued to go flat. I inspected the factory 17" alloy rim and I found a crack in the rim. I inspected the other rims as well and noticed similar smaller cracks forming. I do not now if the cracks are due to the accident or due to faulty workmanship. A well made rim would not have cracked due to a relativley minor impact. Accident report on file hamilton twp police. Accident not caused due to failure of the rim.*ak”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2004
“Aluminum wheel cracked in the front drivers side this problem had been under investigation by NHTSA and the investigation was concluded.*ak”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2004
“While driving the driver heard a loud noise coming from the rear. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Consumer noticed that the passenger rear rim was bent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed consumer that the rim was cracked ,and needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2004
“The boot cover for the convertible top blew off two times onto the highway behind me on a recent trip to houston, tx. After passing a u-haul and noticing that the boot cover was about to blow off again, I immediately pulled off the highway, removed the boot cover and placed it in the trunk. This could have caused a major accident if the cover had blown off in the path of a vehicle following me. I dread to think what might have happened if the cover had blown off in the path of the u-haul I was passing.*ak”Owner report · Structure · May 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
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.
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 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The most complained-about area is wheels.
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have open recalls?
2 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.