MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER · model year

1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER

23 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997MITSUBISHIECLIPSE SPYDER carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 ECLIPSE SPYDER is structure:body:roof and pillars with 3 filings, followed by power train:manual transmission:floor shift assembly (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1997 ECLIPSE SPYDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

23
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN2
WHEELS:RIM1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY1
EQUIPMENT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1

Recent Complaints

20230716AIR BAGS

The airbag cover on the passenger side is peeling off. I feel that if I tried to glue it or modify it in any way, this action could result in the airbag not deploying like it should and cause serious injury incase of an accident.

20111122POWER TRAIN

MY CAR IS A 1997 ECLIPSE SPYDER AUTOMATIC TRANNY 2.4L . THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT WAS ON LEAN MODE, LOCKED ON 2ND GEAR AND IT COULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MILES PER HR OTHER WISE THE RPM WERE VERY HIGH... *TR

Mileage: 118,000

20100426TIRES

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON PASSENGER CAR TIRES. BRAND = KUMHO LINE = ECSTA ASX SIZE = 225/40/R18 DOT # = YOMX YC2F WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY SON NOTICED RUBBER CHUNKS FLYING FROM THE FRONT END OF HIS CAR. WHEN HE STOPPED TO CHECK THINGS OVER, HE FOUND THAT THE TREAD OF ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS SEPARATING RIGHT DOWN TO THE BASE CORDS OF THE TIRE. THE SEPARATION OCCURRED ON JUST ONE EDGE OF THE TREAD AND WAS BEING UN-SPOOLED FROM THE TIRE. I AM REPORTING THIS SO THAT IT MAY BE DOCUMENTED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE IN THE NHTSA DATABASE. *TR

Mileage: 132,593

20071102STRUCTURE

PAINT JOB DEFECTS. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL MITSUBISHIS VEHICLES IN MY FAMILY. ALL RESULTING IN PAINT DEFECTS ON THE CAR. ONLY ONE HAS NOT, DEALERSHIP SAID BECAUSE THERE IS A DEFECT AND THAT ONE VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED WAS MADE AND PAINTED IN JAPAN. COST OF REPAINT OF VEHICLE IS $1500 TO $2500 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO. *TR

20060711ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

COOLANT TANK CRACKED LEADING TO LOSS OF OVERFLOW COOLANT AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE FROM OVERHEATING. MITSUBISHI NO LONGER MAKES A REPLACEMENT PART. *JB

Mileage: 96,000

20060226POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

SPEED CONTROL ISSUE, GAS PEDAL STICKING, CAR CONSISTENTLY IDLES BETWEEN 1500 TO 3000 RPMS ENGINE REVVING UP AND DOWN WHILE AT A STOP AND WHILE IN PARK. MANUAL SHIFT VERY STIFF. *JB

20051221POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF CLUTCH. THE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE SLAVE CYLINDER TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CUT IN THE LINE 1MM FROM THE CONNECTION TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THIS LINE SIX (6) TIMES IN TWO YEARS. FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS. CLUTCH GOES TO THE FLOOR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TWICE & THE SLAVE CYLINDER THREE TIMES, THE LAST TIME WAS 2 WEEKS AGO. *NM

Mileage: 104,000

20051221EQUIPMENT

1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF CLUTCH. THE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE SLAVE CYLINDER TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CUT IN THE LINE 1MM FROM THE CONNECTION TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THIS LINE SIX (6) TIMES IN TWO YEARS. FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS. CLUTCH GOES TO THE FLOOR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TWICE & THE SLAVE CYLINDER THREE TIMES, THE LAST TIME WAS 2 WEEKS AGO. *NM

Mileage: 104,000

20051203ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

CAR FAILS MANDATORY OBD-II SMOG TEST DUE TO NON-CONTINUOUS READINESS MONITORS FAILING TO SET TO COMPLETE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. DEALER MUST USE MUT-II DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO SET MONITORS TO READY STATE. WHEN DIAGNOSTIC MODE IS EXITED AND IGNITION TURNED OFF MONITORS REVERT TO NOT-READY STATE. PROBLEM COMMON TO 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GST ACCORDING TO DEALER. NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. CAR DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL EMISSION REQUIREMENTS.*JB

Mileage: 57,595

20050815POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SO I STOP DRIVING IT. WHEN I TESTED IT OUT AGAIN, IT WAS EVEN WORST AND I CAN'T EVEN GO PAST 40 MPH. SO FAR THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR SINCE I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE ARE TRANSMISSION RECALLS ON THE AUTOMATIC 97 GS ECLIPSE AND WAS ADVISE NOT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT CAN RESULT IN A ACCIDENT. DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS CAR DOES HAVE A RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HTTP://WWW.AUTOSITE.COM/CONTENT/OWN/SERVICE/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/RECALLSVIEW/SERIESID/509. *NM

Mileage: 101,000

20050502STRUCTURE:BODY

CONVERTIBLE TOP WILL NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY. SUPPORT BRACKET IS BENT AND WILL NOT LET TOP LOWER COMPLETELY INTO HOUSING. THERE IS NO COMPLETE FIX FOR THIS. DEALER SAYS, THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, SUPPORT BRACKETS ARE TO THIN FOR THIS TYPE OF TOP.

Mileage: 42,500

20050217STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

ROOF LEAKED & WOULD NOT FULLY RETRACT DUE TO DEFORMATION OF STRUCTURAL ROOF MEMBERS (ROOF PILLARS). REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF 3 MAJOR ROOF MEMBERS PLUS INSTALLATION OF STRAPS (AS DEFINED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN). THIS WAS A STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE ROOF DESIGN KNOWN TO MITSUBISHI, BUT NO RECALL OR CONSUMER ALERT WAS COMMUNICATED.*JB

Mileage: 47,000

20050126FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

I PURCHASED MY 97 ECLIPSE SYPDER CONVERTIBLE IN JUNE 04. AFTER 3 MONTHS THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. DIAGONOSED AS SMALL EVAP LEAK CODE 0442. TOOK TO DEALER. THE FUEL CUT OFF VALVE IS CRACKED AND THE VAPOR HOSE IS SEPARATED (HAS A LEAK) PARTS ARE ON ORDER AND TOTAL COST $475.00. HOW CAN A VALVE CRACK AND A VAPOR HOSE HAVE A LEAK? ARE THESE PARTS DEFECTIVE? PLEASE NOTE THAT I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD EXPLODE BECAUSE OF THESE 2 PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AT DESERT CHRYSLER JEEP, HERE IN LAS VEGAS, NV, 702-457-0293. WHEN I CALLED THEM ABOUT THIS, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFERRED ME TO COURTESY MITSUBISHI. I HAVE PROVIDED THAT INFO ON THE DEALER INFORMATION PAGE.*AK

Mileage: 5,900

20050117STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

CONVERTIBLE LEAKING BY DRIVER AND PASSENGER AREA WHICH DRIPS ON POWER WINDOW /DOOR LOCK/WINDOW LOCK SWITCH. *JB

Mileage: 58,000

20040827TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FRONT LEFT TIRE CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATING, LEADING TO RAPID DEFLATION BECAUSE OF A SEVEN INCH CUT ALONG THE SEAM OF THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. I HAD JUST LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND WAS DRIVING 70 MPH. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES.*AK

Mileage: 103,277

20040729VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

97 SPYDER CONVERTIBLE - I AM THE OWNER SINCE 08/03. REAR WINDOW WAS LEAKING A BIT AND LAST WEEK LITERALLY FELL OUT. HAD TO REPLACE TOP, WINDOW COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. CORNERS OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES ARE LEAKING SERIOUSLY DESPITE TOP REPLACEMENT. SEALS MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. COST SO FAR - $2001 PLUS RENTAL CAR. PASSENGER SEAT SLIDES AND IS DIFFICULT TO LOCK.*AK

Mileage: 102,000

20040614ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SUCK! I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF! LUCKLY, I WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE LEFT, AFTER ALMOST GETTING HIT A COUPLE OF TIMES. MY MECHANIC (BROTHER) TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT, SO I GOOGLED IT AND GUESS WHAT???? IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM... TAKE A LOOK HTTP://WWW.ROADRACEENGINEERING.COM/WALKINGCRANKSHAFT.HTM. *AK

20040614POWER TRAIN

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SUCK! I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF! LUCKLY, I WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE LEFT, AFTER ALMOST GETTING HIT A COUPLE OF TIMES. MY MECHANIC (BROTHER) TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT, SO I GOOGLED IT AND GUESS WHAT???? IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM... TAKE A LOOK HTTP://WWW.ROADRACEENGINEERING.COM/WALKINGCRANKSHAFT.HTM. *AK

20040614POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SUCK! I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF! LUCKLY, I WAS GOING DOWN HILL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE LEFT, AFTER ALMOST GETTING HIT A COUPLE OF TIMES. MY MECHANIC (BROTHER) TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT, SO I GOOGLED IT AND GUESS WHAT???? IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM... TAKE A LOOK HTTP://WWW.ROADRACEENGINEERING.COM/WALKINGCRANKSHAFT.HTM. *AK

20040409STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

1997 MITSIBISHI CONVERTIBLE. BRACKETS ON BOTH SIDES OF CONVERTIBLE TOP HAVE BENT PREVENTING TOP FROM OPENING COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENS ON ALL CONVETIBLES OF THIS TYPE AND HAS ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER, HOWEVER, THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

Mileage: 6

Compare 1997MITSUBISHIECLIPSE SPYDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER have?
The 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER has 23 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER?
The most-complained component for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER is STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.