2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (3) · Structure (3) · Electrical System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-06-02 · campaign 15V338000 · 443,442 vehicles
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 po
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (77)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Unknown Or Other 2022-04-07 · TSB-22-54-003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
Equipment 2019-11-26 · TT253 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a service newsletter (tech talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Showing the 6 most recent of 77 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-09-18 · Structure:body · 135,000 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“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.…”
2017-06-27 · Visibility/Wiper · 136,000 mi · 💥 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 proceeded down 1128 toward my home. after proceeding…”
2017-06-09 · Air Bags · 135,000 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. while driving approximately 15 mph, the passenger side air bag deployed without warning or impact. when the air bag deployed, the visor on the vehicle detached. the vehicle's top was down at the time and caused the passenger side air bag to blow in the wind, which hindered the contact's view of…”
2016-03-22 · Tires:tread/Belt · 160,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse spyder equipped with goodyear assurance tripletred tires, size p215/55r16. while driving 25 mph, the front passenger side tire blew out and caused the contact to drive over a curb. the contact inspected the tire and found that the tire tread was separated. the manufacturer was unable to locate the caus…”
2016-03-22 · Wheels · 106,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 premium tire was only seven months old with minimal w…”
2015-08-13 · Engine · 120,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 120,000. …”
2013-07-09 · Structure · 126,300 mi“i bought an used 2003 eclipse and at the time i didn't realize how badly cracked the dashboard was. to my surprise, i have not been able to find an used dashboard in good condition...every single 2003 eclipse i've found and seen has the same issue and after doing some research, there has not been a recall for this obvious manufacturing defect. th…”
2013-04-15 · Air Bags · 160,000 mi“drivers airbag deployed while turning into a parking space. airbag deployment caused bruising and lacerations to neck and chest. *tr…”
2011-09-06 · Structure:body · 62,500 mi“ passenger side door by side mirror water leaks in. water fouls down the interior of the car and makes a puddle infront of passenger seat. there are no cracks loose seals that could be found or seen. it seems as if the pounding of water on the side causes water to leak in. *tr…”
2011-07-27 · Tires“i had a nail in my tire and went to have it fixed. upon removing tire the tech informed me and showed me that the inner part of the good year tire 215/50r17 was cracked. i had tire replaced with 2007 good year tire i had saved from my last purchase, that had side wall issues also. i replaced all tires with another brand, did not keep the tires. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.