2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure; 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 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Takata airbag: my incident has already been reported. I am adding the police report. I am still requiring surgery and unable to use my left arm 10 months later.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse spyder equipped with goodyear assurance tripletred tires, size p215/55r16. While driving 25 mph, the front passenger side tire blew out and caused the contact to drive over a curb. The contact inspected the tire and found that the tire tread was separated. The manufacturer was unable to locate the cause of the tire failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. While driving at 70 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I bought an used 2003 eclipse and at the time I didn't realize how badly cracked the dashboard was. To my surprise, I have not been able to find an used dashboard in good condition...every single 2003 eclipse I've found and seen has the same issue and after doing some research, there has not been a recall for this obvious manufacturing defect. The only solution mitsubishi offers is to replace it with a brand new (yet same poor quality) part. How can we (eclipse owners) get a full or partial credit from mitsubishi, even if the temporary solution is to install a similar part? *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2013
“Drivers airbag deployed while turning into a parking space. Airbag deployment caused bruising and lacerations to neck and chest. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2013
“Passenger side door by side mirror water leaks in. Water fouls down the interior of the car and makes a puddle infront of passenger seat. There are no cracks loose seals that could be found or seen. It seems as if the pounding of water on the side causes water to leak in. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2011
“My mitsubishi spyder 03 started having some white/ yellow spotting about a year ago, and the last few months getting worse, looking like the pain is also cracking in some spots. I am real anal about waxing my car, always clean, always looking nice. And now my car looks like crud. Paint fading, and cracking.. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2010
“My ac is leaking into the driver's side just above the gas pedal. The leak is occurring where the ac connects to the fire wall. The connection is square and the leak is coming from the bottom of the square. It occurs everytime I use my ac. I just noticed it about 7 months ago but have only had the car 10 months. I am sure I didn't notice it before because I wasn't using my ac during the winter. I am trying to determine if there has been a recall for this defect. *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Feb 2009
“Paint on hood, trunk and fenders is peeling, cracking, coming off. Continues to worsen. Mitsubishi is aware of the "defect", and state they are not mandated to fix it. Upon doing some research, I am learning that there are hundreds of mistibishis (all black in color, like mine) that are having this problem. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2008
“Dash is cracking into multible pieces due to poor manufacturing material/standards. Pieces could become dangerious projectiles in a collision. *cn”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.
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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have open recalls?
3 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.