1998 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE SPYDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
58,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 16 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 5 |
| Equipment | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars: 5; Equipment: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 5; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010545 · 2003-03-16 (March 16, 2003)
THE ROOF OF MY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY DUE TO TWO BRACKETS BENDING WHEN YOU OPEN THE ROOF. I HAD THIS FIXED AT THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2002 AND THEN IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN THE FIRST TIME THAT I OPENED THE ROOF THIS SPRING (MARCH 14, 2003). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025890 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
I RECENTLY SENT A LETTER TO THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION REGARDING MY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER (PLEASE RE-READ ATTACHED). I WAS CONTACTED BY THE CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING MY ERRATIC SHIFT PROBLEM IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WAS EVENTUALLY TOLD THAT I WOULDNT BE PROVIDED ANY SORT OF ASSISTANCE ON MY VEHICLE. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES TO MY CAR WHEN I WAS WELL WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR MY CAR (BEFORE 50,000 MILES). I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MITSUBISHI SERVICE CENTER, AND GOT THE RESPONSE: …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056657 · 2004-02-06 (February 6, 2004)
BOTH OF MY OUTSIDE HANDLES ON MY CAR FELL OFF WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE FELL OFF UNTIL I SAW IT MISSING ON DAY. THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLE FELL OFF AS I WENT OUT TO MY CAR ONE MORNING TO LEAVE FOR WORK. I WENT TO LIFT UP ON THE HANDLE AND IT CAME RIGHT OFF. THERE WAS NO VANDALISIM, JUST A FAULTY PRODUCT. I HAD TO PAY $367 TO GET NEW HANDLES PUT BACK ON THE CAR, PLUS $22.50 FOR TOWING THE CAR TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET INTO A CAR IF YOU HAVE NO HANDLE TO LIFT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060252 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)
MY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER IS DEFECTIVE. THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF DOES NOT FOLD INTO THE DOWN POSITION UNLESS I GUIDE IT BY HAND. THERE ARE TWO METAL BRACKETS ON EACH SIDE OF THE ROOF THAT ARE BENDING AND CAUSING THE TOP TO HANG UP WHEN YOU PUT THE TOP DOWN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE BOW THAT WAS CAUSING THE ROOF TO LOOK LIKE IT WAS COLLAPSING IN,AND CAUSING THE RAIN TO LEAK IN, THEY PUT IN A NEW BOW, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL PRESENT. NOW THEY WANT ANOTHER $315.00 PLUS THE COST OF LABOR TO FIX THE BRACKETS. IT S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10060252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064518 · 2004-04-04 (April 4, 2004)
RECALL WORK THAT WOULD NOT BE COMPLETED, UNLESS ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTICS WERE PURCHASED AND PAID FOR. SUBSEQUENTLY, I CONTINUE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE CONTROL-ARM BALL JOINTS ON MY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. I HAVE NO OTHER DEALERSHIPS WITHIN 25 MILES OF MY TOWN, AND I BELIEVE CONCORD MITSUBISHI USES THIS FACT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066325 · 2004-04-16 (April 16, 2004)
CONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY. DESIGN FLAW CAUSES THE TOP STACK CONTROL LINKS TO BEND UPON OPENING AND CLOSING THE TOP. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ALONG WITH LABOR IS RIDICULOUSLY HIGH OVER $650. MITSUBISHI WHO IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW, REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 65,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082929 · 2004-07-29 (July 29, 2004)
THE CONVERTIBLE TOP MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE MOTORS SERVICED SEVERAL TIME OVER 4 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. APPARNETLY THE GEAR PINS BREAK WITHIN THE MOTORS AND CAUSE THEM TO FAIL. I CANNOT OPEN NOR CLOSE MY CONVERTIBLE TOP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112788 · 2005-03-09 (March 9, 2005)
IN THE SUMMER OF 2003 MY CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER STARTED LEAKING SO IREPLACED IT. THEN IN MAY OF 2004 MY CLUTCH FAILED SO I HAD IT REPLACED WITH A STOCK CLUTCH. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE DEVELOPED SIGNS OF "CRANKWALK", WHICH HAPPENS TO ALOT OF 95-99 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSES. I HAD IT FORMALLY DIAGNOSED WITH CRANKWALK AND NOW I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY CAR. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY MOTOR WITH A NEW ONE THAT WILL COST $3000 AND IT MIGHT END AT THE SAME FATE. I HAVE DONE ALOT OF RESEARCH AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS WHO HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN BUT, MITSUBISHI W…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112788 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V421001 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 2000-12-18 (December 18, 2000)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗