RoadVitals

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Apr 2, 2009
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 26, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, most frequently naming the transmission, engine and other / unspecified categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 33 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission545.5%
  • Engine327.3%
  • Other / unspecified19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%
  • Visibility19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E055000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Jul 26, 2007
222 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
AIRTEX PRODUCTSManufacturer number FP072007-1View on NHTSA.gov
00V421001

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Dec 18, 2000
567,432 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Transmission
Filed Apr 2, 2009

TRANSMISSION STICKING BETWEEN 40-60 MILES PER HOUR AT 3000 RPMS AND HAS A PROBLEM SHIFTING DOWN CAUSING THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO COME ON. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS ON THE SAME 2 ROADS IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT. I HAD THE PULSE GENERATORS IN THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND ONE WEEK LATER IT WAS DOING IT AGAIN. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF IT IS AIR INTAKE RELATED SINCE IT HAPPENS ONLY AT THOSE 2 SPOTS ON THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION WAS DIAGNOSED OK (ON COMPUTER UNHOOKED TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE CAR) I AM TAKING IT BACK IN TODAY TO HAVE THE CODE READ AGAIN, HOWEVER IT RESETS ITSELF IF IT DOES NOT STICK FOR WHILE WHEN DRIVING. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT STARTING AROUND AUGUST OF 2008 AND THE PROBLEM HAD BECOME MORE PERSISTENT UNTIL LAST WEEK 3/25/09 WHEN I HAD THE PULSE GENERATOR REPLACED. IT DID THE SAME THING 4/1/09 ONE WEEK LATER IN THE SAME 2 SPOTS ON THE ROAD. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL AND AIR TAKE RELATED BUT THE CODES GIVEN AT THE TIME IT IS DIAGNOSED IS NOT SPECIFIC ENOUGH. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH A MITSUBISHI REP THAT CAN HELP DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE WITH OUT HAVING TO KEEP PAYING FOR IT SINCE I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME ISSUE. I WANT MY CAR FIXED BEFORE MORE DAMAGE IS DONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263972
Incident
Aug 1, 2008
Mileage
107,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 20, 2008

I PURCHASED A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CONVERTIBLE 6-15-06. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR 3 MONTHS THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS OUT OF TOWN SO TOOK TO NEAREST CAR REPAIR STATION. THEY RESET LIGHT & RCVD CODE P1750. WHEN I RTND HOME I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE & TO RESET THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS I WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY REBUILT THE TRANNY. I DROVE 200 MILES AND THE TRANNY BURNED UP. I WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT ON HWY 5...THE CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST AUTHORIZED TRANSMISSION STATION IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. LONG STORY SHORT THE TRANNY HAS BEEN REBUILT 8 TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, I HAVE SPENT OVER $20,000 IN RENTAL CARS, CABS, HOTELS. ETC. I ONCE AGAIN WAS GIVEN DEC 2007. THE TRANNY BEGAN TO SLIP WITHIN 3 MONTHS. I TRIED TO CONTACT THE ORIGINAL TRANNY SHOP AND THE PLACE WAS GONE, NO NOTICE WAS GIVEN & NOW I NEED TO PUT CAR IN SHOP. THE CAR ORIGINATED OUT OF STATE & HAD 3 OWNERS, EACH OWNER BEING FROM ANOTHER STATE. MITSUBISHI BOUGHT THE CAR AT AN AUCTION & IT ACCRUED OVER 12,000 MILES WHILE CAR WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. I HAVE BEEN SO STRESSED THAT I HAVE COME OUT OF REMISSION WITH 2 TERMINAL ILLNESSES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231839
Incident
Sep 12, 2006
Transmission
Filed Nov 6, 2007

I PURCHASED A USED 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER IN AUG 2006. THE FIRST TIME I DROVE IT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK TO A SHOP, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG & RESET THE BUTTON. WHEN I RETURNED HOME THE SES LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN & I TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP TO SEE WHY?THEY FOUND NOTHING....I THEN DROVE IT & THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY BURNED UP & STRANDED ME @ NIGHT, ALONE, ON A WEEKEND IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE..ON MONDAY I CALLED THE ORIG TRANS. SHOP & THEY CAME & TOWED IT BACK..REBUILT IT WHICH COST ME CLOSE TO $1,800..I DROVE AGAIN BACK FROM THE LA AREA & SES LIGHT CAME ON & TRANNY WAS ALMOST BURNT COMPLETELY AGAIN.SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY A PLACE IN BAKERSFIELD CAME & TOWED IT THE NEXT DAY. I WAS STRANDED AGAIN @ NIGHT & HAD TO PAY FOR A CAB TO TAKE ME BACK TO WHERE I HAD BEEN, OVER 250 MILES WHICH I PAID FOR!.....2 WEEKS LATER MY CAR WAS READY....I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO BAKERSFIELD TO PICK IT UP..... A MONTH LATER WENT BACK TO LA & SES LIGHT CAME ON & SMOKE POURED FROM UNDER THE HOOD...I CHECKED TRANNY FLUID & IT WAS FULL HOWEVER COULDN'T DRIVE UNTIL IT WAS LOOKED AT..AGAIN STRANDED, NO VACANT HOTELS EXCEPT ONE ($300+ A NIGHT)...HOLIDAY WEEKEND SO I WAITED UNTIL TUES FOR AN AFFILIATED SHOP(PASA ROBLES) TO LOOK AT IT.....THEY SAID IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE....I DROVE 60 MILES & IT HAPPENED AGAIN.....STRANDED IN LOST HILLS I CALLED THE ORIG TRANNY SHOP(SANTA CRUZ) & LATER THEY DROVE 2 LOST HILLS & TOWED IT BACK. I HAD TO PAY FOR A CAB TO BAKERSFIELD AIRPORT ($200), & RENT ANOTHER CAR TO GET TO LA....I RENTED YET ANOTHER CAR TO BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME.........I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR A TOTAL OF AT LEAST 90 DAYS OR MORE WITHIN A 7 MONTH PERIOD........NOW ONCE AGAIN I AM TAKING MY CAR BACK TO TRANNY SHOP AS SES LITE IS ON & IT WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE, AND SLIPS WHEN DRIVING......IT HAS ONLY BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE A NEW MFG. TRANNY WAS PUT IN!!!! SUSIE WILHITE *TR

NHTSA ID
10208063
Incident
Jul 15, 2006
Suspension
Filed Mar 16, 2006

LOWER BALL JOINTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10152851
Incident
Mar 7, 2005
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 5, 2005

NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON 1999 ECLIPSE GS SPYDER HAVE LEAD TO THE BENDING OF RIMS ON 2 OUR OF 4 WHEELS. EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND UNABLE TO PASS PA STATE INSPECTION. WHEELS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN "LEGAL" REGISTRATION IN PA STATE.

NHTSA ID
10127435
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
51,900 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 17, 2005

I WENT OUT TO START MY 1999 ECLIPSE SPYDER AND THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD BROKEN OFF. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110668
Incident
Feb 14, 2005
Mileage
86,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 14, 2004

CONVERTIBLE TOP LINKS BENT, REAR WINDOW STITCHING FAILURE. TOP WILL NOT GO DOWN DUE TO PREVIOUS. JUST HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. ONE DAY IT WASN'T THERE, THE NEXT THE LINKS WERE BENT. DEALER STATES THIS IS JUST NORMAL WEAR & TEAR AND THE LINKS BENT ARE THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10102957
Incident
Aug 3, 2003
Mileage
62,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 14, 2003

MAIN BEARING FAILURE @ 65,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE, OR REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I AM ON MY 2ND MOTOR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10049713
Incident
Aug 20, 2003
Mileage
65,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB-22-54-003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

TT253

EQUIPMENT

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-19-00-008

EQUIPMENT

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

TT237

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TT218

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; POWER TRAIN; VISIBILITY; WHEELS

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-15-54-004

EQUIPMENT

This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009710—
2008161046.8
2007224054.5
2005220—
2004640—
2003273054.4
2002242155.9
2001818259.9
2000312—
1999Viewing112038.6
1998162039.5
1997202038.8
1996511—
1995210—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.