Model year record

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder recalls & problems

The 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder has 2 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (5 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints11filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJul 26, 2007

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 07E055000222 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

SuspensionDec 18, 2000

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 00V421001567,432 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	5	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	3	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly	1	—
Wheels	1	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION STICKING BETWEEN 40-60 MILES PER HOUR AT 3000 RPMS AND HAS A PROBLEM SHIFTING DOWN CAUSING THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO COME ON. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS ON THE SAME 2 ROADS IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT. I HAD THE PULSE GENERATORS IN THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND ONE WEEK LATER IT WAS DOING IT AGAIN. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF IT IS AIR INTAKE RELATED SINCE IT HAPPENS ONLY AT THOSE 2 SPOTS ON THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION WAS DIAGNOSED OK (ON COMPUTER UNHOOKED TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE CAR) I AM TAKING IT BACK IN TODAY TO HAVE THE CODE READ AGAIN, HOWEVER IT RESETS ITSELF IF IT DOES NOT STICK FOR WHILE WHEN DRIVING. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT STARTING AROUND AUGUST OF 2008 AND THE…
Aug 1, 2008 · 107,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
I PURCHASED A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER CONVERTIBLE 6-15-06. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR 3 MONTHS THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS OUT OF TOWN SO TOOK TO NEAREST CAR REPAIR STATION. THEY RESET LIGHT & RCVD CODE P1750. WHEN I RTND HOME I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE & TO RESET THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS I WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY REBUILT THE TRANNY. I DROVE 200 MILES AND THE TRANNY BURNED UP. I WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT ON HWY 5...THE CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST AUTHORIZED TRANSMISSION STATION IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. LONG STORY SHORT THE TRANNY HAS BEEN REBUILT 8 TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, I HAVE SPENT OVER $20,000 IN RENTAL CARS, CABS,…
Sep 12, 2006
Power train › Automatic transmission
I PURCHASED A USED 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER IN AUG 2006. THE FIRST TIME I DROVE IT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK TO A SHOP, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG & RESET THE BUTTON. WHEN I RETURNED HOME THE SES LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN & I TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP TO SEE WHY?THEY FOUND NOTHING....I THEN DROVE IT & THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY BURNED UP & STRANDED ME @ NIGHT, ALONE, ON A WEEKEND IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE..ON MONDAY I CALLED THE ORIG TRANS. SHOP & THEY CAME & TOWED IT BACK..REBUILT IT WHICH COST ME CLOSE TO $1,800..I DROVE AGAIN BACK FROM THE LA AREA & SES LIGHT CAME ON & TRANNY WAS ALMOST BURNT COMPLETELY AGAIN.SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY A PLACE IN BAKERSFIELD CAME &…
Jul 15, 2006
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
LOWER BALL JOINTS. *JB
Mar 7, 2005
Wheels
NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON 1999 ECLIPSE GS SPYDER HAVE LEAD TO THE BENDING OF RIMS ON 2 OUR OF 4 WHEELS. EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND UNABLE TO PASS PA STATE INSPECTION. WHEELS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN "LEGAL" REGISTRATION IN PA STATE.
Jul 1, 2005 · 51,900 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I WENT OUT TO START MY 1999 ECLIPSE SPYDER AND THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD BROKEN OFF. *JB
Feb 14, 2005 · 86,000 miles
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
CONVERTIBLE TOP LINKS BENT, REAR WINDOW STITCHING FAILURE. TOP WILL NOT GO DOWN DUE TO PREVIOUS. JUST HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. ONE DAY IT WASN'T THERE, THE NEXT THE LINKS WERE BENT. DEALER STATES THIS IS JUST NORMAL WEAR & TEAR AND THE LINKS BENT ARE THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TOP. *AK
Aug 3, 2003 · 62,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
MAIN BEARING FAILURE @ 65,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE, OR REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I AM ON MY 2ND MOTOR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Aug 20, 2003 · 65,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.