VehicleVerdict

2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Eclipse Spyder years?

Eclipse Spyder NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eclipse Spyder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels233%
Fuel System117%
Seat Belts117%
Steering117%
Body & Structure117%

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

4 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.

04V312000Fuel SystemJune 29, 2004 · 834 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.

Consequence

BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

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.

OWNER OF A 2004 ECLIPSE. FIRST PROBLEM WAS END OF JUNE 2005 BUBBLE ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE, WHEN TAKEN TO GET REPLACED FOUND OUT THAT RIM WAS CRACKED ON THE INSIDE. BOUGHT NEW TIRE AND RIM AND HAD REPLACED! SECOND TIME END OF SEPTEMBER 2005, TOOK CAR INTO GET OIL CHANGED TOLD THEM ABOUT SHAKING OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 1, 2005 · crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE NEEDLE OF THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME STUCK, AND THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. AFTER THE CONTACT FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE INDICATOR NEEDLE DID NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 20, 2006

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHEN YOU LOSE POWER TO THE ALTERNATOR. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON WHILE DRIVING

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 20, 2019

IN OUR 2004 ENDEAVOR SUV THE BACK SEATBELTS COME UNDONE WITHOUT ANYONE PUSHING THE RED RELEASE BUTTONS. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE CAR SEAT IS NOT BUCKLED IN ANYMORE BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. WE TOOK IT IN ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 18, 2007

2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — common questions

Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 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.