Check a VIN

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is body and structure. It has fewer complaints than a typical Eclipse Spyder model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
16
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
34
Worst area
Body

The worst 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems

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

  • Body
    7
  • Locks
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Body
    7
  • Locks
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    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 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 34

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

See all 34 bulletins for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

What 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · DC

Flex plate broke

Filed May 6, 2018 · 1 miles · CA

The spyder gs has always leaked from the soft top seals specially from the top right passenger side. It is a very common issue in the 2nd generation spyder gs which im suprised it has never been a recall for the weather stripping. Dealership charges 300 for the weatherstripping and they still leak after a couple years. I dont have pictures but after rain, the whold car is wet and as I drive and take my first turn, the vehicle starts to leak from the corner and gets center console and radio wet. All over the eclipse forums you will see the issue without a recall. Mitsubishi has not yet given advice on how go fix this. Car cant be driven in the rain without having to leak.

Filed Jul 15, 2010 · Body, Locks · NE

Both my handles broke off, the drivers side arm rest,( where the buttons for the windows are), fell off and into the cavity below. The convertible top leaks badly along the point where the top meets the car windshield,windows,and back window. Very upset that there are many people with same problem yet no one wants to address the issue...mitsubishi should pay for repairs...

Filed Oct 24, 2008 · Body · 45,000 miles · NJ

Convertible roof does not fold down due to bent frame members on each side - called "bent top stack control links". This prevents the top front bow from closing tightly and allows water to enter the cab causing additional damage from mold and mildew - health hazards. The head liner pulls 1-1/2" from the front bow and sags significantly due to the slack distorting the view forward and limits the view in the mirror - a definite safety issue. The repair should be a factory issue and not cost me more than $500 for the parts and labor. If this bar breaks it will further damage the rag top and quadruple the repair cost. The repair shop said this has been a problem with many mitzu ecclipse spyders since they were introduced. Recall - recall - recall. Thanks

Filed Mar 5, 2007 · Locks · CA

I purchased my car new in february 1998. After 9 years I only have 43,000 miles on the car. I live in southern california so there is no extreme temperature changes which might have caused the door handle to be compromised, nor abuse as I see others are being told by service shops. I did not expect to open my drivers side car door last week and have it come off in my hand. The reason I bought this car was that a friend had just bought one for himself the month before I did. I was visiting him yesterday and asked him to guess what happened to my car and he beat me to it. His driver's side door handle had come off in his hand 2 weeks ago. I was first checking for a possible recall before bringing it to the dealership. Right now, I have to climb through from the passenger side to pop open my door or leave the window down when running errands. I think the number of complaints seems to warrant some sort of a response to this from mitsubishi.

Filed Mar 9, 2005 · Engine · 110,000 miles · OH

In the summer of 2003 my clutch master cylinder started leaking so ireplaced it. Then in may of 2004 my clutch failed so I had it replaced with a stock clutch. Two months later the engine developed signs of "crankwalk", which happens to alot of 95-99 mitsubishi eclipses. I had it formally diagnosed with crankwalk and now I can no longer drive my car. I now have to replace my motor with a new one that will cost $3000 and it might end at the same fate. I have done alot of research and there are thousands who have had this happen but, mitsubishi will not issue a recall for their product.

Filed Jul 29, 2004 · Body · 26,000 miles · FL

The convertible top motors have gone out again. I have had the motors serviced several time over 4 times in two years. Apparnetly the gear pins break within the motors and cause them to fail. I cannot open nor close my convertible top.

Filed Apr 16, 2004 · Body · 65,200 miles · IL

Convertible top does not go down all the way. Design flaw causes the top stack control links to bend upon opening and closing the top. The replacement parts along with labor is ridiculously high over $650. Mitsubishi who is fully aware of this design flaw, refuses to accept any responsibility.

Filed Apr 4, 2004 · Suspension · CA

Recall work that would not be completed, unless additional diagnostics were purchased and paid for. Subsequently, I continue to drive around with the defective control-arm ball joints on my 1998 mitsubishi eclipse spyder. I have no other dealerships within 25 miles of my town, and I believe concord mitsubishi uses this fact to take advantage of their customers.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Body · OH

My 1998 mitsubishi eclipse spyder is defective. The convertible roof does not fold into the down position unless I guide it by hand. There are two metal brackets on each side of the roof that are bending and causing the top to hang up when you put the top down. When I took it to the dealer they said it was the bow that was causing the roof to look like it was collapsing in,and causing the rain to leak in, they put in a new bow, but the problem was still present. Now they want another $315.00 plus the cost of labor to fix the brackets. It seems like a manufacturers defect that should be recalled and fixed at no cost. I am afraid the metal bracket is going to snap and hit me or a innocent bystander in the head. While I had the car at the dealership, a gentleman told me his brother has a 1997 mitsibishi eclipse spyder and his did the same thing only it did snap. The ragtop could be damaged by the broken metal. Someone needs to look into this!! This is an accident waiting to happen!

Compare the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Other model years

19951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200720082009

Questions about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder reliable?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, fewer than a typical Eclipse Spyder model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?

Body and structure, with 7 complaints. Next is locks (3).

How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have?

1 recall, covering suspension.

Share your experience with the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN