2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder recalls and problems

The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder has 3 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mitsubishi dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
27
Crashes / fires
5 / 3
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder recalls

Recall 15V-338: Air Bags

Reported Jun 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: 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, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Fix: 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 recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

Recall 04V-428: Equipment

Reported Sep 1, 2004 · 100,432 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

Problem: 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.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Fix: 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 expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

Recall 03V-442: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Nov 4, 2003 · 17,087 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Structure7
Tires4
Unknown or Other4
Air Bags4
Visibility2
Electrical System2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Vehicle Speed Control1
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Equipment1
Engine1
Wheels1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Visibility › Windshield — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 1
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
  • Tires › Sidewall — 1
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 1
  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 100,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 135,000 miles · reported Sep 18, 2017
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.
Air Bags · at 136,000 miles · reported Jun 27, 2017
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 proceeded down 1128 toward my home. After proceeding about1 block, my passenger airbag suddenly deployed. There was no passenger in my vehicle and nothing on the passenger seat, either.there were no other cars on the road. I had the windows open and the top down. The airbag was blowing in front of my…
Air Bags · at 135,000 miles · reported Jun 9, 2017
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 in the wind, which hindered the contact's view of the road. The contact attempted to pull the vehicle over but, due to the distraction of the air bag blowing, the contact struck a culvert, which caused the vehicle to stop and the driver side air bag to deploy. When the air bag deployed, it released a…
Tires · at 160,000 miles · reported Mar 22, 2016
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 separated. The manufacturer was unable to locate the cause of the tire failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Engine · at 120,000 miles · reported Aug 13, 2015
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.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder years

Compare all Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder years · All Mitsubishi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: 15V-338 (air bags), 04V-428 (equipment), 03V-442 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?

Owners report structure problems most often (7 reports), followed by tires (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 100,000 miles.

Are Mitsubishi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mitsubishi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.