MitsubishiEclipse Spyder19972.0L/mitsubishi/eclipse-spyder/1997/2-0l/

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Eclipse Spyder 2.0L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 2.0L is a passenger car convertible built on the Eclipse platform and powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, with the engine holding 4.7 quarts of oil (10W-30, 5W-30, or 20W-40 viscosity) and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg combined city/highway; while the Spyder naturally commanded a premium over the coupe, it offered the same mechanical package in an open-top format. Across the model's complaint history spanning 2000 to 2012, owner-reported issues peaked in 2006 with 99 complaints but fell dramatically to just 1 complaint by 2010, indicating that reliability concerns were concentrated in earlier production years and improved substantially as the platform matured. For a 1997 model, the 170 total owner complaints (with engine and engine cooling representing the top complaint area) and 12 safety recalls place it within the period of higher reported issues, meaning prospective owners should pay particular attention to cooling system maintenance and drivetrain components when evaluating this vehicle.

Model year1999199819971996

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 430 CCA battery, OE oil filter M05281090. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 430 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-70HR14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterM05281090 alt MZ690072
Engine air filterMB906051
Fuel filterMR188221 alt MB868457
Spark plugMS851357 alt MS851881
Front wiper bladesMZ690131 alt 8250A098
Serpentine beltMB878687 alt 04668240
Thermostat04573560AE alt MD315301

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts14-22 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsFinal torque: 53 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsMT: 70 ft-lbs; AT: 55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 14 nuts: 26 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21 ft-lbs
Main BearingsBolts 1-10: 55 ft-lbs; Bolts: A-K: 20 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub167 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub166 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800, DOHC: 750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.70-.86 DOHC ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,300-15,300 ohms
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance3 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-2.00 lbs
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance430 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11-15 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine CompressionTurbo: 138-163, Non Turbo: 170-234 psi
Engine Compression145-192 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 9.00 inch DRUM BRAKES / WITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket54 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle40 ft-lbs / 87-101 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH 9.00 inch DRUM BRAKES / WITH REAR DISC
Drum Nominal Diameter9.016 in / 7.992 in
Drum Discard at-or-over9.094 / 8.071

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

155.0 ft. lbs.55 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The provided federal record contains no 1997 entry for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, so the target year cannot be plotted against adjacent model years in this dataset. Across the available 2000–2012 arc, activity rises from a low baseline in 2000 (3 complaints, 1 recall) through a mid-generation peak in 2002–2003 (31–40 complaints, 2–3 recalls each), dips in 2004–2005, spikes sharply in 2006 (99 complaints, 4 recalls), then declines steadily toward 2012. Because 1997 sits outside this recorded range, the year-by-year trend does not directly locate the 1997 model in the generational reliability arc. The 1997-specific data that is available points to concentrated concerns in Engine & Engine Cooling (42 complaints), Air Bags (17), Power Train (17), and Structure (16), plus 25 crash-related and 6 fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Those counts signal above-average exposure in high-severity systems for a vehicle of this vintage. Given the absence of year-by-year context and the presence of multiple serious complaint categories, 1997 is not a standout year to buy unless a thorough pre-purchase inspection confirms those systems have already been addressed.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
61
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
170
Owner complaints
25 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 170 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling42
Air Bags17
Power Train17
Structure16
Suspension12
Tires8
Wheels8
Vehicle Speed Control6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V421001Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 18/12/2000

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… 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…

98V069001Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 26/03/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 61 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-22-54-0032022-04-07Exterior LightingThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…
TT2532019-11-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-0082019-07-30EquipmentThis is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT2372018-02-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TT2182015-08-28Engine And Engine CoolingThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Eclipse Spyder. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Eclipse Spyder 2.0L take?

4.7 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Eclipse Spyder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.