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2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse SpyderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 81 owner complaints about the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, most often about the wheels. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-338 the manufacturer reports only 3% of affected cars repaired.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls8Lowest repair rate 3%Owner complaints8112 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage29kWheels, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 18, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder has problems

81 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Wheels371
Power train111
Structure90
Air bags65
Engine and engine cooling40
Visibility40
Exterior lighting41
Tires40
Suspension40
7 other systems91

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

3%repaired · 2017 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 15V-338 · Jun 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles · 14,923 repaired

Risk. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines

Recall 01V-011 · Jan 16, 2001 · 277,227 vehicles

Risk. FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
–no report yet

Seats

Recall 01V-005 · Jan 8, 2001 · 47 vehicles

Risk. THE REAR ANCHOR BOLTS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 00V-299 · Oct 2, 2000 · 6,037 vehicles

Risk. PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Recall 00V-225 · Aug 10, 2000 · 228,294 vehicles

Risk. A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.

Mileage at failure

When do wheels problems start?

29kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 20 wheels complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
10under 30k miles19under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Eclipse Spyder year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Eclipse Spyder median. How we score

'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEEL DENTINGEA02007 · closed May 1, 2003
    No recall
  2. ALLOY WHEEL DENTING AND FRACTURINGPE01044 · closed May 31, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What Eclipse Spyder owners report

Recent wheels complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 100,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF VEHICLE HIT THE SMALLEST OF POT HOLES, AT ANY SPEED THE RIM WILL BEND, BOTH ON THE INSIDE AND OUT SIDE. THE CONTACT HAD 2 OF THE RIMS REPLACED AND TWO OF THE TIRES AS WELL. ON FIVE…
Complaint 10182696 · Feb 14, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2001 MITSIBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. ALL FOUR OF THE WHEELS HAVE BEEN BENT FROM NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD TWO TIRES BLOW OUT DUE TO THEIR LOOSING AIR AND HEATING UP. IT APPEARS THAT THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE TOO SOFT AND BEND TOO EASILY. *NM
Complaint 10151574 · Mar 1, 2006
TIRES WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THOUGH MY CAR IS A 2001 I ONLY HAVE 34K MILES ON IT. TONIGHT, WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING, AND THE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM. THE TIRES HAVE ALWAYS LOST AIR, TO THE POINT THAT THEY HAVE TO BE CHECKED AND FILLED EVERY FEW MONTHS.…
Complaint 10141840 · Nov 5, 2005 · 34,600 miles

Own a 2001 Eclipse Spyder?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.