What owners reported
Newest filingsPower Train
Filed Jan 18, 2017IL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO AN INTERNAL SPRING FRACTURING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V011001 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND RECALL TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical System
Filed Aug 26, 2015315,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A TUNE UP AND THE FAILURE CODES FOR P0301, P0401, AND THE EGR APPEARED. THE CODES WERE CLEARED, BUT THE P0301 FAILURE CODE REAPPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN IN FOR SMOG INSPECTION AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED FOR EGR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 315,000.
Visibility/Wiper1 injured
Filed Jul 23, 2015125,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND STRUCK THE CONTACT ON THE BRIDGE OF HER NOSE, BREAKING HER GLASSES. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND REPOSITIONED THE SUN VISOR BACK ON THE CLIPS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) DID NOT INCLUDE THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Steering
Filed Dec 14, 2014CA
WAS DRIVING AND AS I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. *TR
Power Train
Filed Mar 28, 2014110,000 milesMI
WHILE DRIVING FROM THE HIGHWAY ON AN OFF RAMP AT 50 MPH, ENGINE (RPM) STARTED BOGGING DOWN, THEN BOTH FRONT TIRES LOCKED UP TO A SCREECHING HALT. I ALMOST SLIDE OFF THE RAMP AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK BEHIND ME. FRONT TIRES WERE LOCKED UP, WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR. HAD IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS QUOTED $3,000 JUST TO PULL THE TRANSMISSION FOR DIAGNOSTICS. WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE WORTH THE MONEY TO FIX BECAUSE FRONT STRUT TOWERS BOTH WERE RUSTED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND I WILL TRY TO PERFORM THE REPAIR MYSELF. *TR
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 27, 2014148,000 milesMD
THE FUEL FILLER NECK RUSTS SEVERELY AROUND THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE CAUSING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL TO LEAK ON THE GROUND AND GASOLINE VAPORS TO ESCAPE. THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY IS CONSTRUCTED OUT OF METAL AND INCLUDES A LARGE TUBE/PIPE FOR THE FUEL TO ENTER THE GAS TANK, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER SMALLER METAL PIPES. THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY EXTENDS FROM THE FILLER DOOR, WHICH IS SITUATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL, DOWN AND ACROSS TO THE FUEL TANK WHICH IS SITUATED IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE IS A PARTICULAR POINT WHERE THE PIPES IN THE ASSEMBLY MAKE AN APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREE BEND, MOVING FROM A DOWNWARD ANGLE TO AN ANGLE THAT IS MORE PARALLEL WITH THE GROUND. AT THIS BEND OR ELBOW, THE MANUFACTURER PLACED A THICK METAL SHIELD, PRESUMABLY TO PROTECT A WEAK POINT. THE SHIELD BOLTS TO THE BODY OF THE CAR IN FOUR PLACES AND CUPS THE FUEL PIPES IN A SEMI-CIRCLE AROUND THE BEND LEAVING AN APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF INCH GAP BETWEEN THE PIPES AND THE SHIELD. THIS SHIELD AND PIPE ASSEMBLY IS SITUATED DIRECTLY BEHIND AND SLIGHTLY INBOARD OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE, HOWEVER, IT REMAINS EXPOSED. BECAUSE OF THE GAP BETWEEN THE PIPES AND THE SHIELD, AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SHIELD IS ANGLED UPWARDS, AND BECAUSE THERE IS NO COVER OR OTHER PROTECTIVE DEVICE TO SEAL THIS GAP, THE SHIELD COLLECTS DIRT, DEBRIS, GREASE, AND MOISTURE. PRESUMABLY, THE REAR TIRE THROWS THIS FOREIGN MATERIAL AROUND WHICH THEN COLLECTS IN THE SHIELD, BUILDS UP, AND CONTACTS THE PIPES, CAUSING THEM TO RUST. EV
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 2011120,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND EXHIBITED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED, IT WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 5, 2011168,000 milesGA
ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 3, 2011 I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK, SLAMMING INTO A CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH WAS LATER CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT CONVERTIBLE AT THE POSTED SPEED OF 45 MPH. I SLID APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET BEFORE HITTING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE COBALT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, OR EVEN AFTERWARD FOR THAT MATTER. THE FRAME IN THE FRONT IS BENT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN ITS PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENT, AND IS BEING FOUND AS A TOTAL LOSS. I PLAN ON PURSUING LEGAL ACTION BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY MAKING OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 5, 201064,526 milesIN
THE HEADLIGHT PLUG BURNED THE CONNECTION. THIS RESULTED IN A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF LIGHT OUTPUT/ NO HEADLIGHTS. THE PLASTIC PLUG IS ALSO MELTED, CAUSING A CONCERN FOR FIRE AND APPEARING THAT A SMALL FIRE MAY HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 15, 201057,183 milesPA
ON 2/21/10 EARLY SUNDAY MORNING I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROX. 55MI/HR WHEN MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE JUST STOPPED. IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. THERE WAS NO NOISE OR SOUND OF ANY KIND TO INDICATE SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND SAT THERE FOR 3 1/2 HRS FOR A TOW TRUCK. CAR WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH PARK MITSUBISHI IN BETHEL PARK. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR HAD ONLY 57183 MILES AND I WANTED THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AAMCO. I READ ON LINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION USED IN MY CAR AND ALSO CERTAIN CHRYSLER MODELS WITH A DEFECTIVE "WAVE SPRING" THAT BREAKS SUDDENLY AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. I ASKED AAMCO TO SAVE ALL BROKEN PARTS. THE WAVE SPRING BROKE, WENT THROUGH THE PUMP, AND BROKE THE GEARS JUST AS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE "MITSUBISHI F4A51 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAZARD PROBLEM". THIS PROBLEM WAS WELL KNOWN BY MITSUBISHI BECAUSE THE WAVE SPRING WAS REDESIGNED BUT TOOK NO ACTION TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE HAZARD THAT EXISTED. BY SWAPPING OUT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, THE MITSUBISHI DEALER DOES NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND JUST ASSUMES THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED THEREFORE NOT MAKING THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WELL KNOWN. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD THE PART REPLACED WITH THE NEW DESIGNED WAVE SPRING. THIS ACTION WOULD HAVE SAVED ME A LOT OF MONEY AND NOT
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 5, 2010106,000 milesFL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 106,000.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 23, 200987,334 milesDE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER. AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE EXISTING RECALL APPLIED TO 2.4 ENGINES NOT 3.0. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NUMBER 00V299001 DOES NOT STIPULATE THE ENGINE SIZE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,334. UPDATED 5/26/09 *CN THE CONSUMER MENTIONED RECALL# 99V333001, BUT WAS TOLD HIS/HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MANUFACTURED DATE. UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB
Wheels
Filed Apr 23, 200965,056 milesDE
RIMS ON 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE WEAK, VERY CAREFULLY DROVE, HAD TO REPLACE ONE RIM AND OTHERS ARE ALL BENT. *TR
Power Train
Filed Dec 1, 200865,000 milesCA
THE CLUTCH IS WEARING OUT FAST, IT SEEMS EVERY 1500 MILES A NEW CLUTCH IS NEEDED, TO ME IT THE HORSEPOWER OF THE ENGINE CAN ONLY BE BROUGHT TO THE ROAD AT THE EXPENSE OF EXCESSIVE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH WEAR. *TR
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 19, 2007TX
ON MY 2001 ECLIPSE SPYDER, HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO GO OUT, BUT MOVING WIRE CONNECTION ON BACK OF HEADLAMPS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM MOMENTARILY. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY, AND ONE HEADLAMP STOPPED FUNCTIONING ALTOGETHER, AND NOW BOTH WENT OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING ALMOST GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT. WHEN I CHECKED THE PROBLEM THE HEADLIGHT BOXES THAT CONNECT TO THE WIRES WERE MELTED AND EVENTUALLY BURNED OFF AND BROKE. *TR
Structure
Filed Oct 30, 200750,000 milesPR
BODY PAINT ON HOOD AND TRUNK ARE DETERIORATING TO THE POINT THAT THERE ARE HUGE WHITE PATCHES SHOWING THROUGH THE BLACK PAINT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WASHED AND WAXED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. THE PAINT WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE IN THE FACTORY. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND THEY DECLINED TO TAKE ACTION. *TR
Structure
Filed Oct 30, 200730,000 milesPA
VEHICLE STATED CLEARLY ON WINDOW STICKER THAT VEHICLE INCLUDED A STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS NOW RUSTING. *TR
Visibility › Windshield
Filed Oct 16, 200795,262 milesFL
I. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE ARE: 1. I WASHED AND WAXED MY CAR ON A REGULAR BASIS. 2. I DROVE MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR. *TR II. FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES: 1. THE PASSENGER SIDE MOLDING ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OFFICIALLY CALLED THE A PILLAR SEPARATED FORM THE BOLTS WHICH HELD IT TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND FLEW OFF STRIKING AND DENTING THE PASSENGER DOOR. 2. THE BOLDS THAT HELD THIS MOLDING TO THE FRAME ARE STILL ATTACHED TO THE CAR SHOWING THAT THERE WAS A BREAKDOWN OF THE ADHESIVE MATERIAL THAT ORIGINALLY HELD THIS PART TO THE BOLTS. III. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE? NOTHING 1. AFTER GOING TO THE DEALER, THEY CONTACTED THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE, NOTHING WAS DONE. 2. AFTER SPEAKING TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF NORTH AMERICA, NOTHING WAS DONE. 3. AFTER WRITING TO THE PRESIDENT OF MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF NORTH AMERICA ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2007, I HEARD NOTHING. 4. ON OCTOBER 8, 2007, I SENT A SECOND LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF NORTH AMERICA AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. I COINCIDENTALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF NORTH AMERICA THE SAME DAY WHO SAID THAT MY SITUATION HAD BEEN REVIEWED AND THE DECISION WAS THE SAME. TO DO NOTHING. 5. I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT AGAIN ON OCTOBER 10, 2007. AS OF TODAY I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE. 6. TO THIS DAY NO ONE, INCLUDING THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE, HAS INSPECT
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 20, 200743,000 milesFL
I HAVE A 2001 MITS ECLIPSE SPYDER CONVERTIBLE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LEAKS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2005. HAD IT FIXED ONCE NOW THE CAR LEAKS FROM ALL OVER INTO MY FLOOR BOARDS FRONT AND BACK. MY RADIO HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAR IS BECOMING UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE FLOODING. I HAVE INSURANCE WHICH WILL NOT COVER THIS AND MITSUBISHI WILL NOT FIX IT WITHOUT PAYING MORE THAN THE CAR IS OWED. *JB
Exterior Lighting › HeadlightsFire
Filed Sep 9, 200751,998 milesIL
ONE AFTERNOON I GOT INTO MY CAR AND STARTED IT UP, WHEN SUDDENLY I SAW SMOKE ARISE FROM THE FRONT OF MY ENGINE AND SMELLED A SWEET SMELL, BUT THE SMOKE AND SMELL SOON DISSIPATED, HOWEVER I THEN NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS GOING DIM AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS! I AM CURRENTLY WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GO TO AND FROM WORK. WE HAVE NOT TRIED TO REPAIR THIS OURSELVES BECAUSE WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WE CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE BULBS WHICH ALL SEEM TO BE NORMAL. ALL THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL ON THE CAR, HOWEVER, THE CONNECTOR TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD PARTIALLY MELTED. *TR
20 of 81 complaints, reproduced as filed.