2001 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE SPYDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
81 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
42,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 47 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Wheels:Rim is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 81 complaints (37.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 8.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Wheels:Rim | 30 |
| Structure | 8 |
| Wheels | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
Wheels:Rim: 30; Structure: 8; Wheels: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Tires: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Power Train: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 4; 2002: 6; 2003: 19; 2004: 14; 2005: 7; 2006: 4; 2007: 12; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Wheels:Rim leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010464 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
THE SHIFTING KNOB ON THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER LOOSENS OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME CAUSING THE SHIFTING KNOB TO COME FREE OF THE SHIFTER. LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT THE CAPABILITY OR SHIFTING CONTROL OF THE METAL SHAFT. THE DRIVER MUST THEN TRY AND SLOW TO A STOP AND RE-INSTALL THE SHIFTING KNOB. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE DEALER INSTALLING NEW SCREWS, WHICH WORK FREE WITHIN A WEEK OR SO. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO STOP THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032617 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN JUMPING AND SLIPPING SINCE PURCHASE. THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028564 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2001, A 2001 MITSUBISHI SPYDER GT, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CLUTCH SLIPPING WHEN STARTING IN 1ST GEAR, WITH EXTREME STUTTERING AND SHUTTERING OF MY VEHICLE AND HAVE INFORMED MY DEALERSHIPS (WOBURN MITSUBISHI WOBURN, MA AND PETER FULLER-WATERTOWN MA) OF THE PROBLEMS IN WRITING. THEY ALL BLOW ME OFF TELLING ME THAT NOTHING COULD BE WRONG THIS EARLY ON, WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE CAR. WELL THE CAR IS STILL STUTTERING, EVEN HAS STALLED OUT, EVEN WHEN GIVING PLENTY OF GAS. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN OV…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432234 · 2011-10-20 (October 20, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND EXHIBITED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED, IT WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10432234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023205 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
SEALS AROUND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAK WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN. WATER RUNS DOWN INTO THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS DASH LIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF AND RADIO/STEREO/CD MALFUNCTION. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED ONCE BY THE DEALER AND THE RADIO/CD UNIT REPLACED ANOTHER TIME BECAUSE OF LEAK PROBLEMS. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED WITH WATER ON THE DASH AND FLOORBOARDS AND THE RADIO HAS AGAIN MALFUNCTIONED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 18,665 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 756016 · 2001-12-26 (December 26, 2001)
SRS LIGHT COMES ON/STAYS ON - DEALERSHIP STATES RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW, NOT ENOUGH RESISTANCE ON THE WIRING. ANOTHER CAR (SAME MAKE/MODEL) IN THAT DAY HAD 2 AIRBAGS REPLACED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090712 · 2004-09-09 (September 9, 2004)
LEFT REAR WHEEL HARDWARE ATTACHING THE WHEEL, BACKING PLATE, BRAKE CALIPERS TO REAR AXLE FAILED. THERE WERE FOUR ATTACHING BOLTS THAT SHEARED OFF UNDER STRESS OF CRASH AVOIDANCE THAT CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND LOSE CONTRO OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 30,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10664136 · 2014-12-14 (December 14, 2014)
WAS DRIVING AND AS I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10664136 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575199 · 2014-03-27 (March 27, 2014)
THE FUEL FILLER NECK RUSTS SEVERELY AROUND THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE CAUSING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL TO LEAK ON THE GROUND AND GASOLINE VAPORS TO ESCAPE. THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY IS CONSTRUCTED OUT OF METAL AND INCLUDES A LARGE TUBE/PIPE FOR THE FUEL TO ENTER THE GAS TANK, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER SMALLER METAL PIPES. THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY EXTENDS FROM THE FILLER DOOR, WHICH IS SITUATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL, DOWN AND ACROSS TO THE FUEL TANK WHICH IS SITUATED IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE IS A PARTICULAR POINT WHERE THE PIPES IN THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575199 at NHTSA ↗