VehicleVerdict

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 97 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.5 times the median Eclipse Spyder year — the 2001 model ranks #1 of 14 Eclipse Spyder years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: tires & wheels issues account for 42% of all reports (41 of 97), far ahead of transmission at 11.

97

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

2

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

5

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Eclipse Spyder years?

Eclipse Spyder NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eclipse Spyder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels4142%
Transmission1111%
Body & Structure99%
Airbags88%
Visibility & Wipers66%
Engine55%
Lighting44%
Suspension44%
Electrical System33%
Fuel System22%
Brakes22%
Other11%
Steering11%

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

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

15V338000AirbagsJune 2, 2015 · 443,442 units

Defect

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.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

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.

01V069000Fuel SystemMarch 8, 2001 · 192 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

01V011001TransmissionJanuary 16, 2001 · 277,227 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

01V005001SeatsJanuary 8, 2001 · 47 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

00V320001Fuel SystemOctober 27, 2000 · 10,510 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.

Consequence

THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

00V299001EngineOctober 2, 2000 · 6,037 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

Consequence

PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

00V225001SteeringAugust 10, 2000 · 228,294 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WISH TO FILE A DEFECTIVE COMPAINT. MY COMPAINT IS FOR RIMS ON A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. ALL FOUR RIMS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY ALL ARE BENT. THEY ARE VERY WEAK RIMS. I ASKED MY LOCAL MITUSBISHI DEALER IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 1, 2001

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 5, 2004 · crash

“BODY PAINT ON HOOD AND TRUNK ARE DETERIORATING TO THE POINT THAT THERE ARE HUGE WHITE PATCHES SHOWING THROUGH THE BLACK PAINT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WASHED AND WAXED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. THE PAINT WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE IN THE FACTORY. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 30, 2007

“MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT ON A RAINY DAY, TIRE GOT CAUGHT IN WATER, LOST CONTROL, HIT A GUARD AND HIT A TRAFFIC LIGHT POLL AND A UTILITY POLL. THE FRONT AIRBAG DIDN'T GET DEPLOY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 26, 2005 · crash

“CONVERTIBLE TOP AROUND BACK GLASS WINDOW IN CONVERTIBLE TOP OF MY 2001 MITSUBISHI SPYDER ECLIPSE IS COMMING APART. WINDOW IS GETTING READY TO FALL OUT. UPON CALLINGA REPAIR SHOP, BAY AUTO GLASS IN DAPHNE ALABAMA, THEY TELL ME THEY SEE THIS A LOT IN THIS CAR AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO REPLACE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 10, 2004

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — common questions

Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 97 complaints put the 2001 model at #1 of 14 Eclipse Spyder years. It is one of the Eclipse Spyder years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Eclipse Spyder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (41 complaints), transmission (11 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.