2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder problems
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sport compact car that was produced by Mitsubishi in four generations from 1989 until 2011. A convertible body style was added during the 1996 model year.
The first two generations share the automobile platform and parts with the rebadged Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser captive imports. They were built during Mitsubishi Motors' close relationship with Chrysler Corporation. Their partnership was known as Diamond-Star Motors (DSM). In Japan, the first two generations were sold at a specific Japanese retail chain called Mitsubishi Car Plaza. The third, 2000–2005 generation shared a redesigned platform with the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus. In May 2005, the fourth, and final generation Eclipse was introduced, replacing the Chrysler platform used for the third generation with the PS platform.
According to Mitsubishi Motors, the Eclipse was named after an unbeaten 18th-century English racehorse that won 18 races in a row and then retired.
At the end of August 2011, the final Eclipse was manufactured and subsequently auctioned for charity.
In 2017, Mitsubishi resurrected the Eclipse name on a compact crossover vehicle, called the Eclipse Cross.
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Common 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder problems
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a popular choice for car enthusiasts due to its sleek design and performance capabilities. However, like any vehicle, it is not without its common problems.
One issue that owners have reported is difficulty passing emissions tests due to the computer not setting to ready. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including faulty sensors or wiring, and can be frustrating for owners who are unable to pass the required tests. Some owners have attempted to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery, but this may not always solve the issue.
Another common problem with the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is related to the fuel system. Some owners have reported issues with the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump, which may be improperly molded. This can lead to fuel leakage and, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Mitsubishi has issued recalls for this issue, and dealers will replace the fuel pump to fix the problem.
In addition to these specific issues, some owners have reported general concerns with the reliability and durability of the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. While the car is known for its performance capabilities, some owners have reported issues with the transmission and engine, as well as electrical problems. However, many owners also report that the car is easy to work on and that parts are commonly available for cheap, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy working on their own vehicles.
Overall, the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a popular choice for car enthusiasts, but like any vehicle, it is not without its common problems. Issues with emissions testing, fuel system components, and general reliability and durability have been reported by some owners. However, many owners also report that the car is easy to work on and that parts are readily available, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy working on their own vehicles.
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder a reliable car?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse received a 4.6 out of 5.0 reliability rating from Kelley Blue Book users, who cited the car's strong performance and low maintenance needs.
Is a Mitsubishi Eclipse expensive to maintain?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Mitsubishi Eclipse is $510, compared to an average of $526 for compact cars and $652 for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
When did Mitsubishi stop making the Eclipse Spyder?
Mitsubishi Spyder may refer to any of several vehicles by Mitsubishi Motors: Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, any of several convertible cars produced between 1996 and 2011.
Is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder a sports car?
The Iconic Sport Coupe
In the face of countless competitors, the two-door, four-seat Mitsubishi sports car maintained continued success over four generations and, to this day, has a strong fanbase of car aficionados and motorsport enthusiasts.
2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Wheels problems
- Steering problems
- Structure problems
- Seat belts problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-20
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHEN YOU LOSE POWER TO THE ALTERNATOR. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON WHILE DRIVING
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-11-01
- VIN: 4A3AE55H04E
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: PAINT IS FADING, SPOTS ARE APPEARING. CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND POLISHED EVERY 6 MONTHS BY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. *TR
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-02-08
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 4A3AE75H44E
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: WHEEL CAME OFF WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING 17 INCH ALLOY WHEEL RIMS ON 2-8-08 AT 2:30 PM I WAS DRIVING THE LANE NEXT TO THE FAST LANE ON THE 210 FREEWAY IN LA CRESCENTA CALIFORNIA AT 60MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING. I TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR SLOWLY AND ALMOST HAD IT UNDER CONTROL WHEN I HEARD A NOISE. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE EVEN MORE AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED. THERE WAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AT ALL, IT SPUN 3 LANES TO THE RIGHT VERY FAST, HIT THE BERM AND ENDED ON ITS SIDE ON THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE WEATHER WAS WARM SUNNY AND CLEAR AND VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC AND THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES ON THE ROAD THE WHOLE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL CAME OFF DURING THE ACCIDENT WITH THE BRAKES ATTACHED TO IT. I COMPLAINED TO MITSUBISHI BUT ALL THEY SAID IT IS NOT A MECHANICAL FAULT. I STILL SAY IT WAS MITSUBISHI'S FAULT A WHEEL SHOULD JUST NOT CAME OFF I HAVE 17" ALLOY WHEEL RIMS. THANK GOD I WALKED OUT OF THIS ALIVE WITH JUST A SMALL SCRATCH, PLEASE CHECK YOUR WHEELS AND BRAKE SHOES IF YOU OWN A 2004 MITSUBISHI SPYDER. MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED, I WOULD NOT LIKE TO HAVE THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-09-18
- VIN: 4A4MM21S44E
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: IN OUR 2004 ENDEAVOR SUV THE BACK SEATBELTS COME UNDONE WITHOUT ANYONE PUSHING THE RED RELEASE BUTTONS. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE CAR SEAT IS NOT BUCKLED IN ANYMORE BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. WE TOOK IT IN ON 9-21-07 TO DEALER BUT THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, BUT I HAVE TO QUESTION THIS BECAUSE THEY ONLY TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN SAID IT WAS FINE AND THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-07-20
- VIN: JA3AJ26E44U
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE NEEDLE OF THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME STUCK, AND THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. AFTER THE CONTACT FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE INDICATOR NEEDLE DID NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER.
TIRES,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-10-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: TIRES,WHEELS
- Summary: OWNER OF A 2004 ECLIPSE. FIRST PROBLEM WAS END OF JUNE 2005 BUBBLE ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE, WHEN TAKEN TO GET REPLACED FOUND OUT THAT RIM WAS CRACKED ON THE INSIDE. BOUGHT NEW TIRE AND RIM AND HAD REPLACED! SECOND TIME END OF SEPTEMBER 2005, TOOK CAR INTO GET OIL CHANGED TOLD THEM ABOUT SHAKING OF THE CAR. FOUND OUT THAT BACK RIGHT RIM WAS CRACKED AND MISSING A CHUNK OF THE RIM. NEW RIM WAS PURCHASED AND PUT ON. OCTOBER 1, 2005 DRIVING HOME, CAR WAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND MY CAR WAS FLIPPED ON TO ITS HOOD. MOST LIKELY CAR IS TOTALED, STILL WAITING ON ADJUSTER. REPORT STILL BEING PROCESSED WITH MITSUBISHI!!! *NM
2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder.
- Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
- Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
- Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder car reviews
Positive 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder car reviews
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I absolutely adore the Spyder! It's been a dream of mine to own one since the early part of the decade, and I finally made it happen a few years ago. I had so much fun with that car that it was almost bittersweet to trade it in last week for the new 2007 Spyder. While the new one is definitely a head-turner and has its own unique charm, I can't help but miss the more racey style and shape of the 2004 Spyder. I truly believe that the previous style will be considered a classic someday. What a ride!
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Overall, this car is really enjoyable. It has a sporty and eye-catching design that makes a statement. It shows that even if you're getting older (like me, at 40), you can still have fun and enjoy life.
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I absolutely love my Spyder! It's such a fun and reliable car that I just had to get another one. Even though there are many on the road, I still get looks because of its great design. The 2021 model is even better than the 1993 one that I passed on to my daughter. It's more comfortable and more powerful, making it the perfect car for me. Although I'm considering the Mazda RX-8 for my next car, I'm waiting for a convertible version. Until then, I'll continue to enjoy my Spyder!
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It sounds like you really love your car! It's great to hear that it's been the best one you've ever owned.
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What an incredible car! It's so sweet.
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Other years of Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder
Are you having problems with your 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder?
Richmond Tillman 2024-10-11
This car is definitely fun for the price! However, if you're looking for a unique car that stands out in the crowd, this may not be the one for you. It seems that every other convertible on the road is a Spyder. While I've had a few issues with the air, check engine light, and paint peeling inside the door jambs, I've still enjoyed owning this car. It's easy to customize and make it look original. Although, I must say, as far as convertibles go (and I've owned a few), this one is pretty noisy and doesn't keep out the road noise as much as some others. Overall, I wouldn't go for another one as the quality just isn't there.
Sylvester Johnston 2024-07-29
Hello there! Thank you for considering this car. I just wanted to share some of my experiences with it. I did encounter some transmission troubles within the first 13,000 miles, but the dealership was able to fix it after 6 months. At 35,000 miles, I had to replace the transmission completely due to metal shards in the fluid. Additionally, at 45,000 miles, I noticed some shaking and took it in for a brake job. The dealer said it was just the rotors and that I would be good for a few months before needing any work. However, two weeks later, I was on interstate 95 and had some issues with the brakes. I was able to make it to the dealer using the e-brake. They recommended a new caliper for $850. If you're interested in this car, I would highly recommend purchasing a big warranty. Thank you!
Sedrick Schmidt 2024-07-24
Upon purchasing the car, it had 29,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, I encountered some issues right away, such as the radio and speakers malfunctioning. Recently, I took it to the dealership for two new front tires, and they recommended replacing all four brakes, including drums, rotors, calipers, and lines, as well as the front suspension in the near future. Despite these setbacks, I can confidently say that this car has been impeccably maintained.
Louisa Schimmel 2024-04-13
This car has had several issues, including a faulty fuel pump, malfunctioning lock, stuck seatbelts, and a problematic passenger seat. Despite our efforts to have it fixed, the acceleration issue persists. Additionally, the car lacks sufficient trunk space and backseat room, making it uncomfortable for passengers. The air conditioner has also required recharging. It is worth noting that the car's design does not include a front grill, which can lead to debris entering the engine. Overall, these issues have been frustrating, but we remain confident that they can be resolved with the right expertise and attention.