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1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
20Owner complaints

Model-year median: 13.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19955
199620
199716
199811
19993
2000
Compare all Eclipse Spyder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
6Structure
5Engine And Engine Cooling
4Tires
2Air Bags
1
All reported categories
Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Visibility complaints

1 reports
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102,000 miles · Jul 29, 2004
Visibility

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. PASSE…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10082902

Official recalls

1

00V421001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Dec 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.