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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1996–2003

Mitsubishi Spyder recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 28 owner complaints for the Mitsubishi Spyder, covering model years 1996 to 2003. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (13), and Wheels is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mitsubishi Spyder VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 3 recall campaigns on file
  • 28 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (1996–2003)
  • most complaints: 2001 (13 for that model year)
  • top component: Wheels (9 complaints)
  • latest recall 00V421001 (reported Dec 18, 2000)
  • 1 complaint reporting a crash (3.6%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (3.6%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (3.6%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mitsubishi Spyder complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 13 of 28, or 46.4%. Next come 2003 (7) and 1998 (3). The fewest are for 1996, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mitsubishi Spyder owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1996–2003Column chart of 28 complaints across 8 model years. The highest is 2001 with 13. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1996: 2 complaints219961997: 0 complaints19971998: 3 complaints319981999: 0 complaints19992000: 0 complaints20002001: 13 complaints1320012002: 3 complaints320022003: 7 complaints72003
Mitsubishi Spyder complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mitsubishi Spyder complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199620000
199830100
2001130000
200230010
200371000
All model years281110

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mitsubishi Spyder components

top 11 · NHTSA categories

Wheels is the component named most often, in 9 complaints (32.1% of all 28), followed by Structure (7) and Visibility (4).

Components named most often in Mitsubishi Spyder complaints (top 11)
Components named most often in Mitsubishi Spyder complaints (top 11)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Wheels932.1%
Structure725.0%
Visibility414.3%
Engine and Engine Cooling310.7%
Power Train310.7%
Electrical System27.1%
Tires27.1%
Air Bags13.6%
Equipment13.6%
Exterior Lighting13.6%
Seat Belts13.6%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mitsubishi Spyder recalls

3 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Spyder, newest first. The 3 campaigns cover model years 1996 to 1998. The 1996 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 3 recall campaigns
Mitsubishi Spyder recall campaigns covering each model year
1996: 2 campaigns1997: no campaigns1998: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 00V421001

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint

    Model year 1996

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, MMC has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.

    Consequence:
    This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes MMC's previous safety recall campaign, see 99V-066.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.

    Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 99V066001

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint

    Model year 1996

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude.

    Consequence:
    This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.

    Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 98V045001

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The dash panel pad can shift interferring with the throttle cable control.

    Consequence:
    The throttle cable control would not return to idle increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will remove a portion of the dash panel pad so it cannot interfere with the throttle cable control.

    Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mitsubishi Spyder questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Spyder have?

NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Spyder, covering model years 1996 to 2003. The most recent, 00V421001, was reported on December 18, 2000 and is filed under “Suspension”. The 1996 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Mitsubishi Spyder model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 13 of the 28 complaints in NHTSA’s file (46.4%). The next are 2003 (7) and 1998 (3). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mitsubishi Spyder complaint?

Wheels is the component named most often: 9 complaints, or 32.1% of all 28. Structure (7) and Visibility (4) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mitsubishi Spyder?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mitsubishi dealer.

How many Mitsubishi Spyder complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 28 complaints, 1 report a crash, 1 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mitsubishi models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mitsubishi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mitsubishi VIN decoder with every Mitsubishi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mitsubishi models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.