VehicleVerdict

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 21 complaints on file for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

21

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Eclipse Spyder years?

Eclipse Spyder NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted97 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 23 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 11 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 97 complaints2002: 29 complaints2003: 32 complaints2004: 6 complaints2005: 3 complaints2007: 27 complaints2008: 19 complaints2009: 7 complaints
Eclipse Spyder NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eclipse Spyder years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure733%
Other419%
Transmission314%
Latches & Locks314%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Steering15%
Suspension15%
Engine15%

Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E055000Fuel SystemJuly 26, 2007 · 222 units

Defect

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

00V421001SuspensionDecember 18, 2000 · 567,432 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BOTH MY HANDLES BROKE OFF, THE DRIVERS SIDE ARM REST,( WHERE THE BUTTONS FOR THE WINDOWS ARE), FELL OFF AND INTO THE CAVITY BELOW. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS BADLY ALONG THE POINT WHERE THE TOP MEETS THE CAR WINDSHIELD,WINDOWS,AND BACK WINDOW. VERY UPSET THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 1, 2005

“BOTH MY HANDLES BROKE OFF, THE DRIVERS SIDE ARM REST,( WHERE THE BUTTONS FOR THE WINDOWS ARE), FELL OFF AND INTO THE CAVITY BELOW. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS BADLY ALONG THE POINT WHERE THE TOP MEETS THE CAR WINDSHIELD,WINDOWS,AND BACK WINDOW. VERY UPSET THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 1, 2005

“BOTH MY HANDLES BROKE OFF, THE DRIVERS SIDE ARM REST,( WHERE THE BUTTONS FOR THE WINDOWS ARE), FELL OFF AND INTO THE CAVITY BELOW. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS BADLY ALONG THE POINT WHERE THE TOP MEETS THE CAR WINDSHIELD,WINDOWS,AND BACK WINDOW. VERY UPSET THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · June 1, 2005

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 25, 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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 10, 2002

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — common questions

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?

The record is thin — 21 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1998 Eclipse Spyder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (7 complaints), other (4 complaints), latches & locks (3 complaints).

Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Eclipse Spyder years to avoid are 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Eclipse Spyder years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.