FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder with NHTSA between 2002 and 2022. The largest single group is the wheels. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 8 worst.

D

FaultScore 65/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.

How this is worked out

The numbers

29

Complaints

6

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

56,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

36%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 45 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 61 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 45
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
41.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 61
36% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Wheels 8 27.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 42,025 mi

Body & Structure 4 13.8%

Median failure at 38,000 miles

Airbags 3 10.3%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 29,600 mi

Tires 2 6.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 6.9%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 6.9%

Median failure at 44,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 6.9%

Median failure at 81,500 miles

Seat Belts 1 3.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 73,500 mi

Suspension 1 3.4%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Brakes 1 3.4%

Median failure at 138,000 miles

Steering 1 3.4%

Median failure at 138,000 miles

Electrical System 1 3.4%

Median failure at 69,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 3.4%

1 crashes, 1 fires

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 7.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 7.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 35.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 28.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 21.4%

When owners complained

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.

May 2002 peak 3 Jun 2022

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA02007 Opened 31 May 2002 Closed 1 May 2003 WHEELS

ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEEL DENTING

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 73,500 miles ST. George, UT Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INOPERABLE AND WERE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE CRACKED RIBS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ALSO CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500. MITSUBISHI WAS CALLED WITH SAME INFO. UPDATED 11/03/2011 *LN

NHTSA complaint #10425768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,500 miles ST. George, UT Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INOPERABLE AND WERE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE CRACKED RIBS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ALSO CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500. MITSUBISHI WAS CALLED WITH SAME INFO. UPDATED 11/03/2011 *LN

NHTSA complaint #10425768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rocky Mountain, NC Crash Fire 1 injured 1 killed

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CONVERTIBLE. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE MITSUBISHI MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER NOR THE DECEDENT HER HUSBAND OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HUSBAND DIED TRYING TO HELP THE OTHER OCCUPANT WHO DID OWN THE VEHICLE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROADWAY ON THE LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY ON THE LEFT A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE MEDIAN BARRIER CABLE FACE AND A BRIDGE PIER. THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO REST IN THE MEDIAN FACING NORTH AFTER THE COLLISION. UPDATED 02/03/10

NHTSA complaint #10299083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Egypt, NJ Crash

WHEELS:RIM

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER GT. I WAS IN A RELATIVELY MINOR CAR ACCIDENT. ABOUT 2 MONTHS OFTER THE ACCIDENT AND REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE, ONE OF MY TIRES COULD NOT HOLD TIRE PRESSURE. I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE SAME TIRE CONTINUED TO GO FLAT. I INSPECTED THE FACTORY 17" ALLOY RIM AND I FOUND A CRACK IN THE RIM. I INSPECTED THE OTHER RIMS AS WELL AND NOTICED SIMILAR SMALLER CRACKS FORMING. I DO NOT NOW IF THE CRACKS ARE DUE TO THE ACCIDENT OR DUE TO FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. A WELL MADE RIM WOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED DUE TO A RELATIVLEY MINOR IMPACT. ACCIDENT REPORT ON FILE HAMILTON TWP POLICE. ACCIDENT NOT CAUSED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RIM.

NHTSA complaint #10105647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,600 miles Vineland, NJ Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

IT APPEARS PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10054793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles Dallas, NC Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10009960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 138,000 miles Corona, CA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle instead started reversing unintendedly. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the power train needed to be reprogrammed and other repairs needed to be completed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked and the brake pedal was firm. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #11468436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Corona, CA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle instead started reversing unintendedly. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the power train needed to be reprogrammed and other repairs needed to be completed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked and the brake pedal was firm. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #11468436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Corona, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle instead started reversing unintendedly. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the power train needed to be reprogrammed and other repairs needed to be completed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked and the brake pedal was firm. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #11468436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,500 miles ST. George, UT Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INOPERABLE AND WERE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE CRACKED RIBS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ALSO CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500. MITSUBISHI WAS CALLED WITH SAME INFO. UPDATED 11/03/2011 *LN

NHTSA complaint #10425768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,500 miles ST. George, UT Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INOPERABLE AND WERE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE CRACKED RIBS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ALSO CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500. MITSUBISHI WAS CALLED WITH SAME INFO. UPDATED 11/03/2011 *LN

NHTSA complaint #10425768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,050 miles Riverside, CA

WHEELS

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, TIRE BEGAN LOSING AIR. TOOK TO THE TIRE DEALER AND NO TIRE PROBLEM WAS FOUND. TWO WEEKS LATER TIRE WOULD HOLD NO AIR, RETURNED TO THE TIRE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE TIRE TO HOLD AIR. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW WHEEL AND A NEW TIRE SINCE RIDING ON LOW / NO AIR DAMAGED THE TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10393118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Brandon, FL

STRUCTURE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE DASHBOARD COVER SUSTAINED EXCESSIVE CRACKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #10302350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rocky Mountain, NC Crash Fire 1 injured 1 killed

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CONVERTIBLE. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE MITSUBISHI MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER NOR THE DECEDENT HER HUSBAND OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HUSBAND DIED TRYING TO HELP THE OTHER OCCUPANT WHO DID OWN THE VEHICLE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROADWAY ON THE LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROADWAY AND RAN OFF THE ROADWAY ON THE LEFT A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE MEDIAN BARRIER CABLE FACE AND A BRIDGE PIER. THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO REST IN THE MEDIAN FACING NORTH AFTER THE COLLISION. UPDATED 02/03/10

NHTSA complaint #10299083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Doylestown, PA

STRUCTURE

INCIDENTS: THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS AND THE SEATBELTS GET COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS ESPECIALLY IN DOWNPOURS.

NHTSA complaint #10220434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Arvada, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MITSUBISHI PAINT PROBLEM! 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, BLACK. THE PAINT HAS FAIDED WHITE INTO HUGE PATCHES ON THE HOOD AND TRUNK. A SHAME MITSUBISHI HAS SUCH A PAINT PROBLEM FROM THE EARLIER 2000'S AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10190308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Dublin, CA

SUSPENSION:REAR

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN APR. 2002 AND SINCE THEN HAVE ONLY PUT 40K MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A SQUEAKY NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION WHEN I BOUGHT IT BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS NOTHING. NOW, THE CAR SHAKES AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND MORE AND IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME, IT SHAKES ALMOST AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. DIAGNOSIS HAS REVEALED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE RESULTING IN THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ASKED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR CONTROL ARM. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE FOR POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING FAULTS.

NHTSA complaint #10160083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nort Port, FM

STRUCTURE

CRACKING DASHBORD ON 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPIDER .NO INCIDENT YET,COULD HAPPEN DRIVING WITH THE TOP DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10135908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Northridge, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR FELT WOBBLY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE WAS A MISFIRE WHICH COULD MEAN I NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS BUT SHOULDN'T UNTIL 60,000; I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON MY CAR. HE REPLACED ALL SIX SPARK PLUGS BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SO HE REPLACED THE WIRES, CAP AND ROTOR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON SO HE DID A COMPRESSION TEST AND SAID MY 6TH PISTON WAS NOT HOLDING COMPRESSION AND THIS WAS A BIGGER PROBLEM SO I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT TO MILLER MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A MISFIRE AND MY 6TH PISTON WAS NOT HOLDING COMPRESSION. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY SAID THERE ARE DENTS ON THE 6TH PISTON FROM SOMETHING BEING DROPPED INTO THE ENGINE THEREFORE THAT IS WHY IT WON'T HOLD COMPRESSION AND I NEED A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. THE ONLY WORK I EVER HAD DONE PRIOR TO THIS WAS OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE AT 44,000 MILES. MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10124851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Egypt, NJ Crash

WHEELS:RIM

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER GT. I WAS IN A RELATIVELY MINOR CAR ACCIDENT. ABOUT 2 MONTHS OFTER THE ACCIDENT AND REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE, ONE OF MY TIRES COULD NOT HOLD TIRE PRESSURE. I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE SAME TIRE CONTINUED TO GO FLAT. I INSPECTED THE FACTORY 17" ALLOY RIM AND I FOUND A CRACK IN THE RIM. I INSPECTED THE OTHER RIMS AS WELL AND NOTICED SIMILAR SMALLER CRACKS FORMING. I DO NOT NOW IF THE CRACKS ARE DUE TO THE ACCIDENT OR DUE TO FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. A WELL MADE RIM WOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED DUE TO A RELATIVLEY MINOR IMPACT. ACCIDENT REPORT ON FILE HAMILTON TWP POLICE. ACCIDENT NOT CAUSED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RIM.

NHTSA complaint #10105647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chittenango, NY

TIRES

MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AT SPEEDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH AND PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT I MUST HAVE "HIT SOMETHING AT A FAST SPEED BECAUSE MY RIM WAS SEVERLY BENT. THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS WRONG. THE CAR WAS ALMOST AT 48,000 MILES. I PAID OUT OF POCKET, SIMPLY TAKING THEIR WORD FOR IT. THEN I KEPT LOSING AIR OUT OF ANOTHER TIRE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. AT THIS TIME I FIGURED IT WAS THE TIRE THAT I PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS EARLIER. I HAD THE TECH. TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND HE SHOWED ME THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE RIM WHICH WERE ALLOWING THE AIR IN THE TIRE TO LEAK. ONCE AGAIN I BOUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO SPEND ANOTHER $230 TO GET A NEW RIM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER ONCE HAD TO REPLACE ONE RIM LET ALONE 2 AND IN A PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS. I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS. THIS IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I THINK THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THESE RIMS AND REFUND THE CUSTOMERS THAT HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA complaint #10102423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chittenango, NY

WHEELS:RIM

MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AT SPEEDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH AND PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT I MUST HAVE "HIT SOMETHING AT A FAST SPEED BECAUSE MY RIM WAS SEVERLY BENT. THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS WRONG. THE CAR WAS ALMOST AT 48,000 MILES. I PAID OUT OF POCKET, SIMPLY TAKING THEIR WORD FOR IT. THEN I KEPT LOSING AIR OUT OF ANOTHER TIRE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. AT THIS TIME I FIGURED IT WAS THE TIRE THAT I PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS EARLIER. I HAD THE TECH. TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND HE SHOWED ME THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE RIM WHICH WERE ALLOWING THE AIR IN THE TIRE TO LEAK. ONCE AGAIN I BOUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO SPEND ANOTHER $230 TO GET A NEW RIM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER ONCE HAD TO REPLACE ONE RIM LET ALONE 2 AND IN A PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS. I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS. THIS IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I THINK THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THESE RIMS AND REFUND THE CUSTOMERS THAT HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA complaint #10102423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West NEW York, NJ

WHEELS:RIM

SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001, I HAVE REPLAED 7 RIMS. THE FIRST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF MY RIMS, I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED ME THAT THE RIM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST OF REPLACING THE RIM WAS A LITTLE OVER $200.00. WHEN THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES, I HAD DIFFERENT FEELINGS ABOUT IT. PRIOR TO THIS, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A RIM IN MY LIFE. ONE TIME, WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE SERVICE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A GIRL WHO JUST CAME INTO THE SHOP WHO BLEW OUT 2 RIMS ON HER VEHICLE. IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S EFECT. THIS IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE, BUT IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO MITSUBISHI SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS WITH VERY LITTLE SUCCESS.

NHTSA complaint #10088184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ

WHEELS:RIM

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR RIM WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE RIM WAS CRACKED ,AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10088071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ

WHEELS:RIM

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER RIM WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10087992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Raynham, MA

WHEELS

ALUMINUM WHEEL CRACKED IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA AND THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #10065305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Streamwood, IL

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

I DRIVE AN 02 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE-SPYDER GT. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT: CLUTCH IS GONE AND THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 2.5 YEARS OLD. I'VE DRIVEN A MANUAL FOR OVER 10 YEARS. DROVE A VW, HONDA, MB, ETC. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. I DON'T RACE AND DON'T BURN THE CLUTCH. AT ABOUT 25K MY CLUTCH STARTED TO GO OUT. NOW THE CAR WON'T MOVE AT ALL. I KNOW A LOT OF OWNERS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE V6 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AND SPENDING $1500 ON A CLUTCH THAT WILL WEAR OUT IN TWO YEARS IS NOT AN OPTION. MY HOPE IS THAT MITSUBISHI WOULD RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE CLUTCH AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAD TO PAY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET FOR A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT SHOULD NEVER EXIST ON A BRAND NEW CAR. PLEASE STOP THIS PROBLEM AS I KNOW ONLY MORE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY ON A STILL DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. MAKE THEM STOP PLEASE!

NHTSA complaint #10062366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laguna Hills, CA

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10062180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,600 miles Vineland, NJ Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

IT APPEARS PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10054793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hacienda Heights, CA

TIRES

VEHICLE RAN OVER A WOODEN BLOCK RESULTING IN PASSENGER FRONT TIRE RIPPING AND CRACKING RIM.

NHTSA complaint #10046592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hacienda Heights, CA

WHEELS:RIM

VEHICLE RAN OVER A WOODEN BLOCK RESULTING IN PASSENGER FRONT TIRE RIPPING AND CRACKING RIM.

NHTSA complaint #10046592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.