VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder2001–2012
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 35 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: WHEELS:RIM
2 recalls · 22 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
3 recalls · 12 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Eclipse Spyder became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 25, 2026.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 82 | 42 | 68 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 82 | 39 | 67 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 82 | 39 | 67 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 8 | — | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2007 | 3 | 12 | 2 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 82 | 39 | 67 | Excellent |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Excellent |
| 2004 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 2003 | 2 | 22 | 8 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 1 | 16 | — | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 2001 | 3 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 57 | 39 | 51 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Eclipse Spyder compares — best year within each era shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Eclipse Spyder to buy?+
The 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder scores highest on our Buyer Score (51/100) — combining a reliability score of 57/100 with a value score of 39/100. It has 1 recall and 16 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Eclipse Spyder years have the most problems?+
The 2001, 2003, 2007 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2001 Eclipse Spyder leads with 3 recalls and 35 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Eclipse Spyder problems?+
The most frequently reported Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder issues involve: SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS:RIM, STRUCTURE, WHEELS. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar sports vehicles.
Every Eclipse Spyder year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.