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2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, most often about the wheels and tires (46% of complaints, typically around 29,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Eclipse Spyder model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.

Complaints81
Recalls8
Crashes reported6
Fires reported2
Injuries reported41 death reported

Most common 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

  1. Wheels and tires

    37 complaints · 46%

    Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, hubcap/cover.

    I purchased a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder gt convertible on november 24, 2003. When I purchased this car, the right front rim was significantly bent. This defect could lead to failure of the rim and catastrophic damage to the vehicle and occupants if this occurred at higher speeds.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 27,919 miles
    Car has about 30000 miles, owner went out to look at car this morning and found that front passenger's side tire is completely flat and rim is severely dented. Owner does not recall hitting anything that would have dented rim. Front driver's side rim was minorly dented on pothole about six weeks ago, suspected to have…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 30,512 miles

  2. Transmission

    11 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, axle assembly.

    After 39,000 miles on my 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, the manual transmission is experiencing problems. Specifically, the car has trouble shifting into first and second gears (worst when cold), studders when first accelerating, and makes a continuous rattling noise when the clutch is not engaged. These problems are…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 37,000 miles
    Left rear wheel hardware attaching the wheel, backing plate, brake calipers to rear axle failed. There were four attaching bolts that sheared off under stress of crash avoidance that caused the rear wheel to fall off and lose contro of the vehicle.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 30,650 miles

  3. Body and structure

    9 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    Body paint on hood and trunk are deteriorating to the point that there are huge white patches showing through the black paint. The vehicle has been washed and waxed at least once a month for the past 6 years. The paint was obviously defective when it was applied to the vehicle in the factory. I contacted Mitsubishi…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 50,000 miles
    My dash on my 2001 Mitsubishi eclipse spider gt is cracking. I have talked to many other people who say this is all happening to them also. This is a manufactures defect that needs to be fixed!!
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 23,000 miles

  4. Air bags

    6 complaints · 7%

    Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.

    I was leaving my driveway and something popped and hit me in the right eye. After stopping car on the side of the street,I heard more popping sounds and a piece of the dash hit the windshield. After looking at the dash I found 4 cracks in the dash material, 2 of the vent grates had popped off. This could have caused…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 57,004 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 168,000 miles

  5. Visibility and wipers

    5 complaints · 6%

    Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, power window devices and controls.

    Convertible top around back glass window in convertible top of my 2001 Mitsubishi spyder eclipse is comming apart. Window is getting ready to fall out. Upon callinga repair shop, bay auto glass in daphne alabama, they tell me they see this a lot in this car and the only way to fix it is to replace the whole…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 62,000 miles
    I. The events leading up to the failure are: 1. I washed and waxed my car on a regular basis. 2. I drove my car on the highway at a speed of approximately 70 miles per hour. Ii. Failure and its consequences: 1. The passenger side molding on the front windshield officially called the a pillar separated form the bolts…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 95,262 miles

  6. Suspension

    4 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: front.

  7. Engine

    4 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.

    - the contact called regarding the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH the support bolt came out. The vehicle started to vibrate and made noise. The check engine light turned on. The contact took the vehicle to a Mitsubishi dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed as needing a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 100,000 miles
    Tl 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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 87,334 miles

  8. Lights

    4 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: headlights.

    One afternoon I got into my car and started it up, when suddenly I saw smoke arise from the front of my engine and smelled a sweet smell, but the smoke and smell soon dissipated, however I then noticed that my driver's side headlight was going dim and shortly thereafter I had no headlights! I am currently without…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 51,998 miles
    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 64,526 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder recalls

  1. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 15V338000 · June 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles

    Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  2. Equipment: labels

    NHTSA 04V428000 · September 1, 2004 · 100,432 vehicles

    Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  3. Fuel system: tank assembly

    NHTSA 01V069000 · March 8, 2001 · 192 vehicles

    Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  4. Transmission: cooling unit and lines

    NHTSA 01V011001 · January 16, 2001 · 277,227 vehicles

    Risk: Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  5. Seats

    NHTSA 01V005001 · January 8, 2001 · 47 vehicles

    Risk: The rear anchor bolts securing the driver's seat may not properly secure the seat and could increase the risk of driver injury in an accident.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles.

  6. Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    NHTSA 00V320001 · October 27, 2000 · 10,510 vehicles

    Risk: This hose is considered to be inadequate.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel return hose.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  7. Engine

    NHTSA 00V299001 · October 2, 2000 · 6,037 vehicles

    Risk: Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will re-route the crankshaft position sensor harness.

    Full defect summary

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit.

  8. Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

    NHTSA 00V225001 · August 10, 2000 · 228,294 vehicles

    Risk: A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the steering gear assembly if a loose nut connection is found.

    Full defect summary

    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.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?
By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (37 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); transmission (11 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles); body and structure (9 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have?
8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2015 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2001 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?
It is the most complained-about Eclipse Spyder model year since 2000, with 81 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder years

Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems by year