FaultScore report
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder with NHTSA between 2000 and 2023. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 8 worst.
FaultScore 23/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
How this is worked out23
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
101,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
13%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 104,000 miles
Median failure at 44,750 miles
Median failure at 96,000 miles
Median failure at 117,935 miles
Median failure at 104,000 miles
Median failure at 102,000 miles
Median failure at 5,900 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
AIR BAGS
The airbag cover on the passenger side is peeling off. I feel that if I tried to glue it or modify it in any way, this action could result in the airbag not deploying like it should and cause serious injury incase of an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11532572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR IS A 1997 ECLIPSE SPYDER AUTOMATIC TRANNY 2.4L . THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT WAS ON LEAN MODE, LOCKED ON 2ND GEAR AND IT COULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MILES PER HR OTHER WISE THE RPM WERE VERY HIGH...
NHTSA complaint #10436766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON PASSENGER CAR TIRES. BRAND = KUMHO LINE = ECSTA ASX SIZE = 225/40/R18 DOT # = YOMX YC2F WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY SON NOTICED RUBBER CHUNKS FLYING FROM THE FRONT END OF HIS CAR. WHEN HE STOPPED TO CHECK THINGS OVER, HE FOUND THAT THE TREAD OF ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS SEPARATING RIGHT DOWN TO THE BASE CORDS OF THE TIRE. THE SEPARATION OCCURRED ON JUST ONE EDGE OF THE TREAD AND WAS BEING UN-SPOOLED FROM THE TIRE. I AM REPORTING THIS SO THAT IT MAY BE DOCUMENTED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE IN THE NHTSA DATABASE.
NHTSA complaint #10327651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
PAINT JOB DEFECTS. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL MITSUBISHIS VEHICLES IN MY FAMILY. ALL RESULTING IN PAINT DEFECTS ON THE CAR. ONLY ONE HAS NOT, DEALERSHIP SAID BECAUSE THERE IS A DEFECT AND THAT ONE VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED WAS MADE AND PAINTED IN JAPAN. COST OF REPAINT OF VEHICLE IS $1500 TO $2500 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO.
NHTSA complaint #10207753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COOLANT TANK CRACKED LEADING TO LOSS OF OVERFLOW COOLANT AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE FROM OVERHEATING. MITSUBISHI NO LONGER MAKES A REPLACEMENT PART.
NHTSA complaint #10162156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
SPEED CONTROL ISSUE, GAS PEDAL STICKING, CAR CONSISTENTLY IDLES BETWEEN 1500 TO 3000 RPMS ENGINE REVVING UP AND DOWN WHILE AT A STOP AND WHILE IN PARK. MANUAL SHIFT VERY STIFF.
NHTSA complaint #10151247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF CLUTCH. THE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE SLAVE CYLINDER TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CUT IN THE LINE 1MM FROM THE CONNECTION TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THIS LINE SIX (6) TIMES IN TWO YEARS. FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS. CLUTCH GOES TO THE FLOOR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TWICE & THE SLAVE CYLINDER THREE TIMES, THE LAST TIME WAS 2 WEEKS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10145844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF CLUTCH. THE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE SLAVE CYLINDER TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CUT IN THE LINE 1MM FROM THE CONNECTION TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THIS LINE SIX (6) TIMES IN TWO YEARS. FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS. CLUTCH GOES TO THE FLOOR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TWICE & THE SLAVE CYLINDER THREE TIMES, THE LAST TIME WAS 2 WEEKS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10145844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CAR FAILS MANDATORY OBD-II SMOG TEST DUE TO NON-CONTINUOUS READINESS MONITORS FAILING TO SET TO COMPLETE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. DEALER MUST USE MUT-II DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO SET MONITORS TO READY STATE. WHEN DIAGNOSTIC MODE IS EXITED AND IGNITION TURNED OFF MONITORS REVERT TO NOT-READY STATE. PROBLEM COMMON TO 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GST ACCORDING TO DEALER. NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. CAR DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL EMISSION REQUIREMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10144372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SO I STOP DRIVING IT. WHEN I TESTED IT OUT AGAIN, IT WAS EVEN WORST AND I CAN'T EVEN GO PAST 40 MPH. SO FAR THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR SINCE I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE ARE TRANSMISSION RECALLS ON THE AUTOMATIC 97 GS ECLIPSE AND WAS ADVISE NOT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT CAN RESULT IN A ACCIDENT. DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS CAR DOES HAVE A RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HTTP://WWW.AUTOSITE.COM/CONTENT/OWN/SERVICE/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/RECALLSVIEW/SERIESID/509.
NHTSA complaint #10132942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CONVERTIBLE TOP WILL NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY. SUPPORT BRACKET IS BENT AND WILL NOT LET TOP LOWER COMPLETELY INTO HOUSING. THERE IS NO COMPLETE FIX FOR THIS. DEALER SAYS, THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, SUPPORT BRACKETS ARE TO THIN FOR THIS TYPE OF TOP.
NHTSA complaint #10119399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
ROOF LEAKED & WOULD NOT FULLY RETRACT DUE TO DEFORMATION OF STRUCTURAL ROOF MEMBERS (ROOF PILLARS). REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF 3 MAJOR ROOF MEMBERS PLUS INSTALLATION OF STRAPS (AS DEFINED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN). THIS WAS A STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE ROOF DESIGN KNOWN TO MITSUBISHI, BUT NO RECALL OR CONSUMER ALERT WAS COMMUNICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10110684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I PURCHASED MY 97 ECLIPSE SYPDER CONVERTIBLE IN JUNE 04. AFTER 3 MONTHS THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. DIAGONOSED AS SMALL EVAP LEAK CODE 0442. TOOK TO DEALER. THE FUEL CUT OFF VALVE IS CRACKED AND THE VAPOR HOSE IS SEPARATED (HAS A LEAK) PARTS ARE ON ORDER AND TOTAL COST $475.00. HOW CAN A VALVE CRACK AND A VAPOR HOSE HAVE A LEAK? ARE THESE PARTS DEFECTIVE? PLEASE NOTE THAT I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD EXPLODE BECAUSE OF THESE 2 PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AT DESERT CHRYSLER JEEP, HERE IN LAS VEGAS, NV, 702-457-0293. WHEN I CALLED THEM ABOUT THIS, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFERRED ME TO COURTESY MITSUBISHI. I HAVE PROVIDED THAT INFO ON THE DEALER INFORMATION PAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10107958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
CONVERTIBLE LEAKING BY DRIVER AND PASSENGER AREA WHICH DRIPS ON POWER WINDOW /DOOR LOCK/WINDOW LOCK SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10106450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FRONT LEFT TIRE CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATING, LEADING TO RAPID DEFLATION BECAUSE OF A SEVEN INCH CUT ALONG THE SEAM OF THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. I HAD JUST LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND WAS DRIVING 70 MPH. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10088718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
97 SPYDER CONVERTIBLE - I AM THE OWNER SINCE 08/03. REAR WINDOW WAS LEAKING A BIT AND LAST WEEK LITERALLY FELL OUT. HAD TO REPLACE TOP, WINDOW COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. CORNERS OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES ARE LEAKING SERIOUSLY DESPITE TOP REPLACEMENT. SEALS MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. COST SO FAR - $2001 PLUS RENTAL CAR. PASSENGER SEAT SLIDES AND IS DIFFICULT TO LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10082902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SUCK! I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF! LUCKLY, I WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE LEFT, AFTER ALMOST GETTING HIT A COUPLE OF TIMES. MY MECHANIC (BROTHER) TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT, SO I GOOGLED IT AND GUESS WHAT???? IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM... TAKE A LOOK HTTP://WWW.ROADRACEENGINEERING.COM/WALKINGCRANKSHAFT.HTM.
NHTSA complaint #10075365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SUCK! I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF! LUCKLY, I WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE LEFT, AFTER ALMOST GETTING HIT A COUPLE OF TIMES. MY MECHANIC (BROTHER) TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT, SO I GOOGLED IT AND GUESS WHAT???? IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM... TAKE A LOOK HTTP://WWW.ROADRACEENGINEERING.COM/WALKINGCRANKSHAFT.HTM.
NHTSA complaint #10075365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SUCK! I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF! LUCKLY, I WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE LEFT, AFTER ALMOST GETTING HIT A COUPLE OF TIMES. MY MECHANIC (BROTHER) TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT, SO I GOOGLED IT AND GUESS WHAT???? IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM... TAKE A LOOK HTTP://WWW.ROADRACEENGINEERING.COM/WALKINGCRANKSHAFT.HTM.
NHTSA complaint #10075365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
1997 MITSIBISHI CONVERTIBLE. BRACKETS ON BOTH SIDES OF CONVERTIBLE TOP HAVE BENT PREVENTING TOP FROM OPENING COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENS ON ALL CONVETIBLES OF THIS TYPE AND HAS ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER, HOWEVER, THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10065841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE THRUST WASHER IS WELDED TO THE CRANKSHAFT IN MY CAR. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE THRUST WASHERS THAT CAUSE THERE TO BE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF PLAY IN THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS CAUSES WHAT HAD BEEN TERMED THE "CRANKSHAFT WALK". AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS, COMMON AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR WAS THAT THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LOCK UP ON ME WHERE I COULD NOT EVEN GET THE CAR IN GEAR. THE MOVEMENT IN THE CRANKSHAFT CAUSED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR TO GO OUT, AND WHEN IT DID, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, BUT I COULD HAVE. I HAD THE THRUST WASHER REPLACED AND NOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOT ALONE. THE FOLLOWING IS A WEBSITE THAT CONTAINS POST AFTER POST OF THE SAME PROBLEM. PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**767675
NHTSA complaint #10007353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
THE LEFT FRONT RIGHT FRONT TIRES BLEWOUT ON HIGHWAY DUE TO THE RIMS CUTTING INTO THE TIRES, CAUSING TREAD SEPARATION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8017796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFTER LOCKED UP IN THE POSITION OF THIRD GEAR, SHIFTER HAS BEEN A CHRONIC PROBLEM SINCE OWNERSHIP, DEALER CLAIMS FAILURE RESULTED IN THE NEED FOR A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD AS THE BOTTOM SECTION BROKE OFF AND FELL INTO THE GEAR WORKS. RECALL (97V-069 AND 97V-069001) ARE SIMILAR, DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.