2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: 2 recalls, 24 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #04V428000 · 2004 · 100,432 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V338000 · 2015 · 443,442 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Wheels (8): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (4), noise or vibration (2).
- Body & structure (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (3): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder has 24 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 14 Eclipse Spyder model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 17). Complaints peaked in 2004 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 38,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (81 complaints, 8 recalls), 2003 (27 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are wheels (8), body & structure (4), airbags (3).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.