VehicleVerdict

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 32 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Eclipse Spyder year — the 2003 model ranks #2 of 14 Eclipse Spyder years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (7), tires & wheels (5), and other (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

32

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Eclipse Spyder years?

Eclipse Spyder NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eclipse Spyder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure722%
Tires & Wheels516%
Airbags413%
Other413%
Visibility & Wipers39%
Electrical System26%
Fuel System26%
Engine26%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)13%
Speed Control13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

3 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.

03V442000Fuel SystemNovember 4, 2003 · 17,087 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TAKATA AIRBAG: MY INCIDENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. I AM ADDING THE POLICE REPORT. I AM STILL REQUIRING SURGERY AND UNABLE TO USE MY LEFT ARM 10 MONTHS LATER.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 29, 2016 · crash · fire

“ON NOVEMBER 28, 2015 MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE EXPLOSIVELY FAILED COMING OUT OF A LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 25 MPH CAUSING MY CAR TO DROP AND SWERVE, CRASHING INTO A TALL STREET CURB AND STORM SEWER DRAIN CAUSING $2000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE OUTER SIDEWALL SEPARATED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY FROM THE TREAD. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 28, 2015 · crash

“TAKATA AIRBAG: MY INCIDENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. I AM ADDING THE POLICE REPORT. I AM STILL REQUIRING SURGERY AND UNABLE TO USE MY LEFT ARM 10 MONTHS LATER.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 29, 2016 · crash · fire

“TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V338000.ON OCTOBER 29, 2016, I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS MY HOME. AFTER BEING IN THE STOPPED POSITION FOR THE DURATION OF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF FM 518 AND FM 1128 IN PEARLAND, TEXAS, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 29, 2016 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V338000.ON OCTOBER 29, 2016, I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS MY HOME. AFTER BEING IN THE STOPPED POSITION FOR THE DURATION OF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF FM 518 AND FM 1128 IN PEARLAND, TEXAS, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 29, 2016 · crash

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — common questions

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 32 complaints put the 2003 model at #2 of 14 Eclipse Spyder years. It is one of the Eclipse Spyder years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Eclipse Spyder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (7 complaints), tires & wheels (5 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 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.