2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER

3 recalls, 32 complaints - 102 TSBs

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Defect Description

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, 200... Read more

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 recal... Read more

443,442 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Defect Description

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 EXP... Read more

100,432 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Defect Description

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.

17,087 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

32 total complaints 10 crashes 5 fires 8 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
AIR BAGS	4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4
STRUCTURE:BODY	3
STRUCTURE	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2
TIRES	2
POWER TRAIN	1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL	1
TIRES:SIDEWALL	1

Incident date: Oct 29, 2016

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.

Crash Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 29, 2016

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.

Crash Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 29, 2016

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.

Crash Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 29, 2016

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 PR... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 29, 2016

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 29, 2016

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 10, 2016

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... Read more

Crash Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 28, 2015

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 PRE... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Nov 28, 2015

Crash

Incident date: Nov 28, 2015

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 SEPARAT... Read more

Incident date: Aug 8, 2015

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.

Incident date: Jun 24, 2013

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... Read more

Incident date: Apr 15, 2013

DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED BRUISING AND LACERATIONS TO NECK AND CHEST. *TR

1 injured

Incident date: Jul 15, 2011

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

Incident date: Jul 21, 2011

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 T... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2010

MY MITSUBISHI SPYDER 03 STARTED HAVING SOME WHITE/ YELLOW SPOTTING ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND THE LAST FEW MONTHS GETTING WORSE, LOOKING LIKE THE PAIN IS ALSO CRACKING IN SOME SPOTS. I AM REAL ANAL ABOUT WAXING MY CAR, ALWAYS CLEAN, ALWAYS LOOKING NICE. AND NOW MY CAR LOOKS LIKE CRUD. PAINT FADING, AND ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2009

MY AC IS LEAKING INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE JUST ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL. THE LEAK IS OCCURRING WHERE THE AC CONNECTS TO THE FIRE WALL. THE CONNECTION IS SQUARE AND THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SQUARE. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I USE MY AC. I JUST NOTICED IT ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO BUT HAVE ONLY HAD THE C... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2008

PAINT ON HOOD, TRUNK AND FENDERS IS PEELING, CRACKING, COMING OFF. CONTINUES TO WORSEN. MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THE "DEFECT", AND STATE THEY ARE NOT MANDATED TO FIX IT. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, I AM LEARNING THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF MISTIBISHIS (ALL BLACK IN COLOR, LIKE MINE) THAT ARE HAVING TH... Read more

Incident date: Sep 14, 2008

ROTTED FUEL FILLER NECK. EVAP CODE AND FUEL LEAK DURING REFUELING. NO PARTS AVAILABLE DUE TO HIGH DEMAND. *TR

Incident date: Jan 1, 2008

DASH IS CRACKING INTO MULTIBLE PIECES DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING MATERIAL/STANDARDS. PIECES COULD BECOME DANGERIOUS PROJECTILES IN A COLLISION. *CN

Incident date: Jul 15, 2007

THE PAINT IS COMING OFF ON SELECT AREAS ON MY 2003 ECLIPSE SYDER GTS. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM OR DOCUMENTED IT YET NOTHING SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO RESOLVE IT. IF MITSUBISHI CUT CORNERS IN THE PAINTING OF THESE CARS AND IT BACKFIRED THEN THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ... Read more

Incident date: Nov 25, 2006

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHEN IT WAS STARTED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ABOVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, BUT COULD EVENTUALLY BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND... Read more

Incident date: Apr 5, 2007

APPROXIMATELY 1-YEAR AGO, I PURCHASED A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SYDER FORM A DEALERSHIP WITH APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES ON IT. I CHECKED THE RECORDS AND CONTACTED THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR IT... Read more

Incident date: Dec 23, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPIDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 25 - 30 MPH ON A NICE DAY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE ALTERNATOR WERE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 23, 2006. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE, THE... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Jun 1, 2006

I HAVE A BLACK 2003 SPYDER GTS AND THE CLEAR COAT IS BUBBLING AND TURNING WHITE. IT STARTED ON THE HOOD AND HAS PROGRESSED TO THE TRUNK, THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TRIM AND THE SPOILER. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE 06 AND CONTINUES. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE HOOD. I ... Read more

Incident date: Nov 24, 2005

ENGINE MOUNTS ARE DEFECTIVE, CAR IS EXHIBITING SIGNS OF POWER FAILURE. *JB

Incident date: Jul 18, 2005

ONE OF MY GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA P215/50/R17 TIRES HAD A NAIL IN THE TRAID OF THE TIRE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE INSIDE SIDEWALL THAT WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO CRACKING ON THE OUTSIDE SO I HAD NO IDEA.

Incident date: Jan 1, 2003

NAR 02/13/2003. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD CATCH TO START. IN ADDITION, SOMETIMES AS THE CONSUMER TRAVELED DOWN A HILL THE VEHICLE WAS JUST SHUT OFF BY ITSELF, IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST 30 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START AGAIN. IT TOOK... Read more

Incident date: Oct 15, 2003

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK.*MR THE CONSUMER HOPES MITSUBISHI BECOMES AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH THEIR CARS. *CB *JB

Crash

Incident date: Oct 27, 2003

REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE PARKED IN COVERED PARKING. UNKNOWN CAUSE AND NO INDENTATION (POINT OF IMPACT). *AK

Incident date: Dec 1, 2002

MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE BLEND DO FOR THE HEATING SYSTEM OF THE 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IS ROTATED TO THE HOT POSITION, A CABLE BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND DIRECTLY OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROTATES THE BLEND DOOR LEVER TOWARD THE FIREWALL. A PIN ON THE LEVER, WHI... Read more

Incident date: Jun 12, 2002

BOTH SIDE DOOR WINDOWS LEAK WATER. THE LEAK OCCURS EVEN DURING A RAIN STORM. THE CAR CAN JUST BE SITTING IN THE DIVEWAY AND WATER WILL LEAK DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS. THIS WILL CAUSE MECHANICAL FAILURES TO THE DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE MOLD / MILDEW TO FORM. I DIDN'T SPEND $ ... Read more

EPA Fuel Economy, 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	28.0	23.0	Regular	$2,650
2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	28.0	23.0	Regular	$2,650
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4) (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	24.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4) (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	24.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100
3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Premium	$3,600
3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4) (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	25.0	20.0	Premium	$3,800

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Minicompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER

102 manufacturer communications from 62 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY	6
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6
100000 POWER TRAIN	5
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	5
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	5
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	5
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	4
160000 STRUCTURE	4

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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 veh

160000 STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

350000 EQUIPMENT