2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: 3 recalls, 27 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #03V442000 · 2003 · 17,087 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The 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.
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. 3 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (7): the most common themes are door / lock issues (2).
- Tires (4): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (4).
- Other / unknown (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder has 27 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 14 Eclipse Spyder model years for complaints (1.6× the average Eclipse Spyder year). Complaints peaked in 2007 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 92,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (24 complaints, 2 recalls), 2004 (6 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | 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 | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder problems?
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (7), tires (4), other / unknown (4).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 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.