2002 Mitsubishi SPYDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
38,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Side/Window is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 |
| Wheels:Hub | 1 |
Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1; Wheels:Hub: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Side/Window leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023989 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
BOOT COVER FOR THE CONVERTIBLE COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155386 · 2006-04-14 (April 14, 2006)
ON MY MITSUBISHI 2002 GT SPYDER, THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT. IT ONLY HAS 56K MILES... (I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH OR ANYTHING). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 763019 · 2002-06-13 (June 13, 2002)
I AM AN EMPLOYEE OF MITSUBISHI MOTORS MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA (MMMA). ON OCTOBER 4, 2001 I WAS INJURED AT WORK. I WAS HIT IN THE HEAD BY THE SEAT BELT GUIDE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER (RIGHT) SEAT OF A 2002 MITSUBISHI SPYDER CONVERTIBLE. THE SEAT HIT ME WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE CAUSING A MILD CONCUSSION. I DID NOT BLACK OUT AT THE TIME OF THE INJURY. HOWEVER, I EXPERIENCED BLURRED VISION (WHICH CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS), NECK PAIN, BACK PAIN AND SEVERE HEAD PAIN. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I STARTED HAVING "SPELLS" AS MY NEUROLOGIST CALLS THEM.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 763019 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
3 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1996 | 1998 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 2100.0%ODI 720078MY CONVERTIBLE TOP THE SIDE BRACES WHERE THE TOP FOLDS BACK BEND. *AK | 266.7%ODI 8016289METAL BARS HAVE BENT AND CONVERTIBLE TOP WILL NOT GO DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK | 17.7%ODI 8014862REAR DEFROSTER ON CONVERTIBLE TOP IS NOT WORKING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS REPLACED; BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels:Rim | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 538.5%ODI 10049360 · 83,135 mi2001 MITSUBISHI SPYDER RIMS. I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE SECOND RIM WITHIN 6 MONTHS BECAUSE OF DENTS IN THE RIM. THE DENTS ARE NOT CAUSED BY HITTING ANYTHING. IT IS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. AT 400+ DOLLARS A PIECE FOR THESE RIMS: MITSUBISHI, AS WELL AS, DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD BE SPANKED 400 TIMES EACH FOR THEIR GROSS NEGLIGENCE. IT DOES NOT TAKE A GENIUS TO REALIZE THE HAZARDS THIS PLACES MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN. I WILL BE KEEPING A COPY OF THIS FORM FOR MY RECORDS AS PROOF IN CASE OF MY OR MY FAMILIES DEATH(S) CAUSED BY THESE DA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.7%ODI 10159634 · 102,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED EIGHT TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE IDLING. THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK EACH TIME AFTER 10-15 MINUTES. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 00V299001, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: ENGINE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10119016CONSUMER LETTER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE WARRANTY ON 2003 MITSUBISHI SPYDER. VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, HEADLIGHT EQUIPMENT, SPEAKERS, TURN SIGNALS AND A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.*MR CONSUMER FEELS THAT THEY WERE TREATED UNFAIR WITH THIS DEAL AND WANT THEIR MONEY BACK FOR THIS VEHICLE, DUE TO NUMBER OF PROBLEM THEY HAVE HAD. *BF *NM |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10155386 · 56,000 miON MY MITSUBISHI 2002 GT SPYDER, THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT. IT ONLY HAS 56K MILES... (I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH OR ANYTHING). *NM | 114.3%ODI 10079650WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE CLUTCH FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER HAVING THREE CLUTCHES REPLACED. *AK |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 883839VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. WINDOW LOCKS SHUT DOWN, AND WIRING WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. REPLACEMRNT WAS COSTLY. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT ELECTRICAL HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, CONVERTIBLE TOPS LEAKED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10053735 · 8,200 miCONSUMER COULD NOT ROLL THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE A DESIGN FLAW. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT A WORN PART IN THE REMOTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *MR |
| Wheels | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 215.4%ODI 10105545 · 20,000 miALL 4 ALLOY WHEELS DEVELOPED A DENT IN THEM. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DENT WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT RESULTED IN THE TIRE LEAKING AIR BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO FORM A PROPER SEAL. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 763019I AM AN EMPLOYEE OF MITSUBISHI MOTORS MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA (MMMA). ON OCTOBER 4, 2001 I WAS INJURED AT WORK. I WAS HIT IN THE HEAD BY THE SEAT BELT GUIDE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER (RIGHT) SEAT OF A 2002 MITSUBISHI SPYDER CONVERTIBLE. THE SEAT HIT ME WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE CAUSING A MILD CONCUSSION. I DID NOT BLACK OUT AT THE TIME OF THE INJURY. HOWEVER, I EXPERIENCED BLURRED VISION (WHICH CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS), NECK PAIN, BACK PAIN AND SEVERE HEAD PAIN. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I STARTED HAVING "SPELLS" AS MY NEUROLOGIST CALLS THEM.… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10092660VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE TOWED, AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | Too few reports for a range | 56,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10155386 · 56,000 miON MY MITSUBISHI 2002 GT SPYDER, THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT. IT ONLY HAS 56K MILES... (I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH OR ANYTHING). *NM |
| Wheels:Hub | Too few reports for a range | 20,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10023989 · 20,000 miBOOT COVER FOR THE CONVERTIBLE COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2002: 1 complaints · 2003: 5 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2003 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Air Bags:Side/Window | Power Train:Clutch Assembly | Wheels:Hub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Side/Window | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 0 | — | 0 |
| Wheels:Hub | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.