2003 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 2003 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 & structure725.0%
- Tires & wheels414.3%
- Airbags414.3%
- Visibility310.7%
- Electrical27.1%
- Engine27.1%
- Fuel system27.1%
- Other / unspecified13.6%
- Powertrain (other)13.6%
- Driver assistance13.6%
- Heating & air conditioning13.6%
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
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON NOVEMBER 28, 2015 MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE EXPLOSIVELY FAILED COMING OUT OF A LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 25 MPH CAUSING MY CAR TO DROP AND SWERVE, CRASHING INTO A TALL STREET CURB AND STORM SEWER DRAIN CAUSING $2000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE OUTER SIDEWALL SEPARATED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY FROM THE TREAD. THIS PREMIUM TIRE WAS ONLY SEVEN MONTHS OLD WITH MINIMAL WEAR. I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE AND FLUIDS EVERY TIME I BUY GAS, OVERHAULED THE SUSPENSION THAT SUMMER AND DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS MY FAULT. I TOOK THE TIRE STILL ON THE DAMAGED WHEEL TO A TIRE FAILURE EXPERT WHO RULED OUT PRE-EXISTING DAMAGE, UNUSUAL WEAR OR SIGNS OF DRIVING WITH LOW OR HIGH TIRE PRESSURE; HE STATED THERE WAS A ZIPPER FAILURE RESULTING FROM A BAD TIRE. THIS WAS THE SECOND GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLETRED TO FAIL ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR AND FILED A CLAIM WITH THEIR PROPERTY CLAIMS TEAM. I HAD REPLACED THE WHEEL AND TIRE AND GOT TWO CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES. THEY REQUIRED THE TIRE TO BE TAKEN OFF THE WHEEL AND SHIPPED TO THEM FOR INSPECTION. WITHOUT EXPLANATION, IT SAT DELAYED AT THE GOODYEAR TIRE AND SERVICE CENTER FOR WEEKS. THE CLAIM, #492513, WAS QUICKLY DENIED; I RECEIVED A LETTER WHICH I FOLLOWED UP WITH A PHONE CALL TO CLARIFY. GOODRICH CLAIM'S TEAM STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE TIRE BLEW OUT SO THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF IT BEING MY FAULT BUT THEY ALSO DIDN'T FIND AN OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE BLOWOUT SO THEY CONVENIENTLY DENIED TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR TIRE OR THE DAMAGE FROM THE CRASH THAT RESULTED FROM IT'S FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT LIKE A TIRE CAN'T JUST REFUSE TO BE RESPONSIBLE WHEN IT FAILS AND THEY DON'T TO KNOW WHY. I WAS A LIFETIME LOYAL GOODYEAR CUSTOMER UNTIL THIS. I HAVE THE TIRE AND WHEEL AND PHOTOS AND WON'T GIVE UP UNTIL THEY PAY FOR THE DAMAGES.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V338000.ON OCTOBER 29, 2016, I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS MY HOME. AFTER BEING IN THE STOPPED POSITION FOR THE DURATION OF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF FM 518 AND FM 1128 IN PEARLAND, TEXAS, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED DOWN 1128 TOWARD MY HOME. AFTER PROCEEDING ABOUT1 BLOCK, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE AND NOTHING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, EITHER.THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. I HAD THE WINDOWS OPEN AND THE TOP DOWN. THE AIRBAG WAS BLOWING IN FRONT OF MY FACE, BLOCKING MY VISION. THE PASSENGER VISOR FLEW OFF, HITTING MY LEFT ARM, AS I WAS TRYING TO KEEP THE AIRBAG OUT OF MY FACE TO GET SAFELY OFF THE ROAD.I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT, INTO A PARKING LOT. MY VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE EDGE OF A DITCH AT THE SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT, DUE TO MY VISION BEING BLOCKED. MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF WHEN I HIT THE CULVERT OF THE DITCH. FIRE CAME OUT OF MY STEERING WHEEL AND I SMELLED CHEMICALS. THE FIRE PROMPTLY WENT OUT. MY LEFT ARM WAS ON THE ARMREST OF THE DOOR WITH BOTH FOREARM BONES VISIBLY BROKEN. THE ARM WAS SWOLLEN AND DEFORMED. I ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 26 DAYS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST TRAUMA UNIT.THE RADIA AND ULNA IN MY FOREARM HAVE BEEN PUT BACK TOGETHER WITH RODS AND SCREWS. MY VEHICLE HAS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, STEERING, AXLE, ETC. 9 MONTHS LATER MY ARMIS NOT HEALED AND I AM STILL WITHOUT A VEHICLE.
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
TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V338000.ON OCTOBER 29, 2016, I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS MY HOME. AFTER BEING IN THE STOPPED POSITION FOR THE DURATION OF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF FM 518 AND FM 1128 IN PEARLAND, TEXAS, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED DOWN 1128 TOWARD MY HOME. AFTER PROCEEDING ABOUT1 BLOCK, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE AND NOTHING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, EITHER.THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. I HAD THE WINDOWS OPEN AND THE TOP DOWN. THE AIRBAG WAS BLOWING IN FRONT OF MY FACE, BLOCKING MY VISION. THE PASSENGER VISOR FLEW OFF, HITTING MY LEFT ARM, AS I WAS TRYING TO KEEP THE AIRBAG OUT OF MY FACE TO GET SAFELY OFF THE ROAD.I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT, INTO A PARKING LOT. MY VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE EDGE OF A DITCH AT THE SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT, DUE TO MY VISION BEING BLOCKED. MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF WHEN I HIT THE CULVERT OF THE DITCH. FIRE CAME OUT OF MY STEERING WHEEL AND I SMELLED CHEMICALS. THE FIRE PROMPTLY WENT OUT. MY LEFT ARM WAS ON THE ARMREST OF THE DOOR WITH BOTH FOREARM BONES VISIBLY BROKEN. THE ARM WAS SWOLLEN AND DEFORMED. I ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 26 DAYS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST TRAUMA UNIT.THE RADIA AND ULNA IN MY FOREARM HAVE BEEN PUT BACK TOGETHER WITH RODS AND SCREWS. MY VEHICLE HAS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, STEERING, AXLE, ETC. 9 MONTHS LATER MY ARMIS NOT HEALED AND I AM STILL WITHOUT A VEHICLE.
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE PARKED IN COVERED PARKING. UNKNOWN CAUSE AND NO INDENTATION (POINT OF IMPACT). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPIDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 25 - 30 MPH ON A NICE DAY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE ALTERNATOR WERE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 23, 2006. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, LOST POWER, AND COASTED OUT OF TRAFFIC. SHE STATED THAT THE HORN BEGAN HONKING, AND SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SHE COULD SEE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY ITSELF BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. TO DATE THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN UNABLE TO TELL HER WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 120,000. *AK
NAR 02/13/2003. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD CATCH TO START. IN ADDITION, SOMETIMES AS THE CONSUMER TRAVELED DOWN A HILL THE VEHICLE WAS JUST SHUT OFF BY ITSELF, IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST 30 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START AGAIN. IT TOOK THE DEALER SEVERAL TRIES TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMER PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUSE BOX, FUEL PUMP RELAY, PRONGS AND WIRES WHICH CAME FROM THE FUSE BOX TO SHUT THE RELAY OFF SO THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN OUT OF GAS, THEY ALSO HAD TO ORDER A ENGINE HARNESS. *JB
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
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.
ENGINE MOUNTS ARE DEFECTIVE, CAR IS EXHIBITING SIGNS OF POWER FAILURE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ROTTED FUEL FILLER NECK. EVAP CODE AND FUEL LEAK DURING REFUELING. NO PARTS AVAILABLE DUE TO HIGH DEMAND. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHEN IT WAS STARTED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ABOVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, BUT COULD EVENTUALLY BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER FAILED, WHICH PREVENTED FUEL FROM REACHING THE ENGINE. BOTH COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER. THE POWERTRAIN, DEALER INFORMATION, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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
ON NOVEMBER 28, 2015 MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE EXPLOSIVELY FAILED COMING OUT OF A LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 25 MPH CAUSING MY CAR TO DROP AND SWERVE, CRASHING INTO A TALL STREET CURB AND STORM SEWER DRAIN CAUSING $2000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE OUTER SIDEWALL SEPARATED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY FROM THE TREAD. THIS PREMIUM TIRE WAS ONLY SEVEN MONTHS OLD WITH MINIMAL WEAR. I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE AND FLUIDS EVERY TIME I BUY GAS, OVERHAULED THE SUSPENSION THAT SUMMER AND DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS MY FAULT. I TOOK THE TIRE STILL ON THE DAMAGED WHEEL TO A TIRE FAILURE EXPERT WHO RULED OUT PRE-EXISTING DAMAGE, UNUSUAL WEAR OR SIGNS OF DRIVING WITH LOW OR HIGH TIRE PRESSURE; HE STATED THERE WAS A ZIPPER FAILURE RESULTING FROM A BAD TIRE. THIS WAS THE SECOND GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLETRED TO FAIL ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR AND FILED A CLAIM WITH THEIR PROPERTY CLAIMS TEAM. I HAD REPLACED THE WHEEL AND TIRE AND GOT TWO CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES. THEY REQUIRED THE TIRE TO BE TAKEN OFF THE WHEEL AND SHIPPED TO THEM FOR INSPECTION. WITHOUT EXPLANATION, IT SAT DELAYED AT THE GOODYEAR TIRE AND SERVICE CENTER FOR WEEKS. THE CLAIM, #492513, WAS QUICKLY DENIED; I RECEIVED A LETTER WHICH I FOLLOWED UP WITH A PHONE CALL TO CLARIFY. GOODRICH CLAIM'S TEAM STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE TIRE BLEW OUT SO THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF IT BEING MY FAULT BUT THEY ALSO DIDN'T FIND AN OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE BLOWOUT SO THEY CONVENIENTLY DENIED TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR TIRE OR THE DAMAGE FROM THE CRASH THAT RESULTED FROM IT'S FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT LIKE A TIRE CAN'T JUST REFUSE TO BE RESPONSIBLE WHEN IT FAILS AND THEY DON'T TO KNOW WHY. I WAS A LIFETIME LOYAL GOODYEAR CUSTOMER UNTIL THIS. I HAVE THE TIRE AND WHEEL AND PHOTOS AND WON'T GIVE UP UNTIL THEY PAY FOR THE DAMAGES.
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK.*MR THE CONSUMER HOPES MITSUBISHI BECOMES AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH THEIR CARS. *CB *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 .