2002 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE SPYDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
38,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Wheels:Rim is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 24 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
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 | 6 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
Wheels:Rim: 6; Structure: 3; Air Bags: 2; Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System: 2; Tires: 2; Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear: 2; Wheels: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 13 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 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 8; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Wheels:Rim leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10005629 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, THERE WAS A "MISS" IN THE ENGINE AND WHEN TESTED BY THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT I HAD A "BAD" SPARK PLUG SO DID A REPLACEMENT. I PICKED IT UP DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THE SAME PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AGAIN. ALSO INDICATING THAT THE COMPUTER ROM HAD TO BE UPDATED. WHEN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON YET AGAIN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL APRIL W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009960 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046592 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
VEHICLE RAN OVER A WOODEN BLOCK RESULTING IN PASSENGER FRONT TIRE RIPPING AND CRACKING RIM.*MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054793 · 2004-01-24 (January 24, 2004)
IT APPEARS PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 29,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062180 · 2004-03-15 (March 15, 2004)
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062366 · 2004-03-16 (March 16, 2004)
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 T…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065305 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)
ALUMINUM WHEEL CRACKED IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA AND THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONCLUDED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087992 · 2004-08-16 (August 16, 2004)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087992 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V428000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2004-09-01 (September 1, 2004)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V338000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
NHTSA campaign record ↗