1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure738.9%
- Interior & seats316.7%
- Other / unspecified211.1%
- Steering15.6%
- Suspension15.6%
- Transmission15.6%
- Visibility15.6%
- Engine15.6%
- Powertrain (other)15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
CONVERTIBLE ROOF DOES NOT FOLD DOWN DUE TO BENT FRAME MEMBERS ON EACH SIDE - CALLED "BENT TOP STACK CONTROL LINKS". THIS PREVENTS THE TOP FRONT BOW FROM CLOSING TIGHTLY AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE CAB CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE FROM MOLD AND MILDEW - HEALTH HAZARDS. THE HEAD LINER PULLS 1-1/2" FROM THE FRONT BOW AND SAGS SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO THE SLACK DISTORTING THE VIEW FORWARD AND LIMITS THE VIEW IN THE MIRROR - A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPAIR SHOULD BE A FACTORY ISSUE AND NOT COST ME MORE THAN $500 FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR. IF THIS BAR BREAKS IT WILL FURTHER DAMAGE THE RAG TOP AND QUADRUPLE THE REPAIR COST. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MANY MITZU ECCLIPSE SPYDERS SINCE THEY WERE INTRODUCED. RECALL - RECALL - RECALL. THANKS *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW IN FEBRUARY 1998. AFTER 9 YEARS I ONLY HAVE 43,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SO THERE IS NO EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGES WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE DOOR HANDLE TO BE COMPROMISED, NOR ABUSE AS I SEE OTHERS ARE BEING TOLD BY SERVICE SHOPS. I DID NOT EXPECT TO OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE CAR DOOR LAST WEEK AND HAVE IT COME OFF IN MY HAND. THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS CAR WAS THAT A FRIEND HAD JUST BOUGHT ONE FOR HIMSELF THE MONTH BEFORE I DID. I WAS VISITING HIM YESTERDAY AND ASKED HIM TO GUESS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR AND HE BEAT ME TO IT. HIS DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD COME OFF IN HIS HAND 2 WEEKS AGO. I WAS FIRST CHECKING FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL BEFORE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. RIGHT NOW, I HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO POP OPEN MY DOOR OR LEAVE THE WINDOW DOWN WHEN RUNNING ERRANDS. I THINK THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SEEMS TO WARRANT SOME SORT OF A RESPONSE TO THIS FROM MITSUBISHI. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
I RECENTLY SENT A LETTER TO THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION REGARDING MY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER (PLEASE RE-READ ATTACHED). I WAS CONTACTED BY THE CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING MY ERRATIC SHIFT PROBLEM IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WAS EVENTUALLY TOLD THAT I WOULDNT BE PROVIDED ANY SORT OF ASSISTANCE ON MY VEHICLE. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES TO MY CAR WHEN I WAS WELL WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR MY CAR (BEFORE 50,000 MILES). I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MITSUBISHI SERVICE CENTER, AND GOT THE RESPONSE: TECHNICIAN CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. IF PROBLEMS PERSIST, PLEASE BEING THE VEHICLE BACK. I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT MITSUBISHI SERVICE CENTERS SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT, AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE ( I HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON THIS). NOW, BECAUSE YOUR SERVICE TECHNICIANS COULDNT IDENTIFY MY CARS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS IN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, I AM BEING HELD LIABLE. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEB SITES DOCUMENTING PROBLEMS WITH MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE VEHICLES, RANGING FROM THE YEARS 1990-PRESENT. I HAVE FOUND A GREAT DEAL OF MITSUBISHI ECLIPSES WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR OR DRIVER RELATED ISSUES, IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE (SEVERAL MECHANICS WILL SWEAR TO THIS STATEMENT, SINCE THEY HAVE WORKED ON SEVERAL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM). BELOW ARE SOME QUOTES FROM THE WEBSITES PROVING THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE VEHICLES: TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT 50,000. CAR WOULD POP OUT OF 4TH GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING TO GET ON HIGHWAY. " <HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEW_32883.HTML> 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE MILEAGE: 73000. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS HAVING ERRATIC SHIFTING PROBLEMS ALTHOUGH THEY ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE CAR IS NOT AT THE MECHANICS. " <HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/MAKES/MITSUBISHI/ECLIPSE.HTM>*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I RECENTLY SENT A LETTER TO THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION REGARDING MY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER (PLEASE RE-READ ATTACHED). I WAS CONTACTED BY THE CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING MY ERRATIC SHIFT PROBLEM IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WAS EVENTUALLY TOLD THAT I WOULDNT BE PROVIDED ANY SORT OF ASSISTANCE ON MY VEHICLE. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES TO MY CAR WHEN I WAS WELL WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR MY CAR (BEFORE 50,000 MILES). I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MITSUBISHI SERVICE CENTER, AND GOT THE RESPONSE: TECHNICIAN CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. IF PROBLEMS PERSIST, PLEASE BEING THE VEHICLE BACK. I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT MITSUBISHI SERVICE CENTERS SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT, AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE ( I HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON THIS). NOW, BECAUSE YOUR SERVICE TECHNICIANS COULDNT IDENTIFY MY CARS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS IN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, I AM BEING HELD LIABLE. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEB SITES DOCUMENTING PROBLEMS WITH MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE VEHICLES, RANGING FROM THE YEARS 1990-PRESENT. I HAVE FOUND A GREAT DEAL OF MITSUBISHI ECLIPSES WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR OR DRIVER RELATED ISSUES, IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE (SEVERAL MECHANICS WILL SWEAR TO THIS STATEMENT, SINCE THEY HAVE WORKED ON SEVERAL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM). BELOW ARE SOME QUOTES FROM THE WEBSITES PROVING THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE VEHICLES: TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT 50,000. CAR WOULD POP OUT OF 4TH GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING TO GET ON HIGHWAY. " <HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEW_32883.HTML> 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE MILEAGE: 73000. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS HAVING ERRATIC SHIFTING PROBLEMS ALTHOUGH THEY ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE CAR IS NOT AT THE MECHANICS. " <HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/MAKES/MITSUBISHI/ECLIPSE.HTM>*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLEX PLATE BROKE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .