AI Damage1998 Mitsubishi Spyder: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Mitsubishi Spyder filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 67% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 67% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 33% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (67% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (67% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Vehicle was parked and it caught on fire. Consumer called the fire department to extinguish the fire. Vehicle towed, and totaled by the insurance company.
Metal bars have bent and convertible top will not go down. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide any further information.
Vehicle 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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 17,152 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Spyder has 6 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 3, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Spyder?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, structure, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (33%), stalls while driving (33%), windows, sunroof (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Mitsubishi Spyder?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Mitsubishi Spyder from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.