MitsubishiEclipse Spyder19992.4L/mitsubishi/eclipse-spyder/1999/2-4l/

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Eclipse Spyder 2.4L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder arrives as a passenger-car convertible powered by a 2.4-liter engine mated to a four-speed automatic, a combination that returns EPA ratings of 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined miles per gallon while taking 4.5 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil. Owner-reported data for the model line spanning 2000 through 2012 shows the 1999 MY accumulating 138 total complaints, with the power train emerging as the leading trouble area and 12 recalls issued across the range. Complaint volume for the broader Eclipse family peaked at 99 in 2006 before dropping to a single report in 2010, positioning the 1999 Spyder in the earlier, higher-complaint phase of the model's history and signaling that prospective buyers should scrutinize power-train components and recall completion records.

Model year201220112010200920082007200520041999

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/20 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 MZ690072. 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 filterMZ690072 alt M05281090
Engine air filterMB906051
Fuel filterMB868457 alt MR188221
Spark plugMS851233 alt MS851881
Front wiper bladesMZ690131 alt 8250A098
Serpentine beltMD310617 alt MD186124
ThermostatMD315301 alt 04573560AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 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 25.0-32.0 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 Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsDOHC: 14 ft-lbs; SOHC:
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts98 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 14 nuts: 26 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-32.0 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)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.74-.90 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance20,100-27,300 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

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

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °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 Compression192-145 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine CompressionTurbo: 138-163, Non Turbo: 170-234 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
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10015 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
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 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 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Timing 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 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder shows concentrated issues in the Power Train (24 complaints), Structure (22), Engine & Engine Cooling (18), and Suspension (11). This model year also recorded 10 crash complaints and 3 fire complaints. Across the generation, complaint volumes fluctuate significantly, peaking in 2006 with 99 complaints, while the immediate following year, 2000, saw a sharp drop to only 3 complaints. The 1999 model sits at the start of this trend, exhibiting higher initial complaint volumes in key mechanical areas compared to the relatively quiet 2000 and 2005 model years. The provided data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Given the volume of structural and powertrain complaints relative to the improved record of the year 2000, this is not a recommended year to buy.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
51
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
138
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 3 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 138 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train24
Structure22
Engine & Engine Cooling18
Suspension11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
Steering7
Latches/Locks/Linkages6
Electrical System5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V428000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 01/09/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE… Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 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 1999 Eclipse Spyder 2.4L take?

4.5 qt of ABOVE 0 degreesF 10W-30 SL API, BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-30 SL API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 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 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.