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1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is transmission and drivetrain. Its complaint count is close to a typical Eclipse Spyder model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
20
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
32
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Transmission
    6
  • Body
    5
  • Engine
    4
  • Tires
    2
  • Airbags
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    6
  • Body
    5
  • Engine
    4
  • Tires
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 18, 2000 · 567,432 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 00V421001 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 32

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 32 bulletins for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

What 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 16, 2023 · Airbags · AZ

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.

Filed Nov 22, 2011 · Transmission · 118,000 miles · AZ

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...

Filed Apr 26, 2010 · Tires · 132,593 miles · MN

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 federal safety agency database.

Filed Nov 2, 2007 · Body · MS

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.

Filed Jul 11, 2006 · Engine · 96,000 miles · VT

Coolant tank cracked leading to loss of overflow coolant and potential engine failure from overheating. Mitsubishi no longer makes a replacement part.

Filed Feb 26, 2006 · Transmission · MA

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.

Filed Dec 21, 2005 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2005 · Engine · 57,595 miles · NV

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.

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Transmission · 101,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 2, 2005 · Body · 42,500 miles · KS

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.

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Questions about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, close to a typical Eclipse Spyder model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints. Next is body (5).

How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have?

1 recall, covering suspension.

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