FaultScore

Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems

331 of the 2,785 complaints filed about the Mitsubishi Eclipse are about the transmission — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.

331

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

16

Crashes

5

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

1989 Eclipse 2 0.6%
1990 Eclipse 27 8.2%
1991 Eclipse 21 6.3%

Median failure at 147,000 miles

1992 Eclipse 23 6.9%

Median failure at 73,000 miles

1993 Eclipse 13 3.9%
1994 Eclipse 12 3.6%
1995 Eclipse 55 16.6%

Median failure at 132,000 miles

1996 Eclipse 19 5.7%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

1997 Eclipse 24 7.3%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

1998 Eclipse 30 9.1%

Median failure at 74,000 miles

1999 Eclipse 28 8.5%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2000 Eclipse 19 5.7%

Median failure at 46,500 miles

2001 Eclipse 21 6.3%

Median failure at 65,749 miles

2002 Eclipse 4 1.2%

Median failure at 99,500 miles

2003 Eclipse 22 6.6%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2006 Eclipse 6 1.8%

Median failure at 18,250 miles

2007 Eclipse 2 0.6%

Median failure at 107,204 miles

2008 Eclipse 2 0.6%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2009 Eclipse 1 0.3%

Median failure at 49,000 miles

What owners said

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Rogersville, TN

POWER TRAIN

I almost got into a accident because it's late sobits really hard to see because the headlights u cnt see any at all at night I can use a flash light out the window and see better like that but on top of that my car just decides to up and stall on me and not wanna start back and it had melted my crankshaft sensor wires and I guess it just decided to also mess up the wiring on my camshaft sensor I literally had to wire up the wires straight around the plug on both just to make it home it was cold out and all I really love my car but I'm spending more money than I've got just tryna keep it running and between that and the lights that's gonna get sum1 hurt or killed if not fixed I was on a backroad had no service to call anybody for help and I was right between 2 blind turns

NHTSA complaint #11493803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 110,000 miles Hermiston, OR

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while stopped at an intersection with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated forward inadvertently. The contact had her husband inspect the vehicle and while he attempted to start the vehicle with his foot depressed on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated forward. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #11426532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 81,450 miles Tulsa, OK

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION CASE LEAKAGE BOTH WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA complaint #11300318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 206,000 miles Taylorsville, NC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

NHTSA complaint #11184936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 177,908 miles Clarksville, TN

POWER TRAIN

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND CAME TO A STOP. TRIED TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND COULD NOT DO SO. HAD TO TURN OFF MY CAR TO SHIFT INTO GEAR TO AVOID GRINDING. HAD A HARD TIME GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AS WELL. ONCE ARRIVING HOME COULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. SEEMS LIKE THE GEARS WERE TRYING TO STRIP AND A HORRIBLE GRINDING WAS OCCURRING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A STICK SHIFT FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. HAD TO TURN OFF MY CAR TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO GET INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK. TRIED THE NEXT DAY TO DRIVE MY CAR...DID THE WARM UP DUE TO COLD WEATHER, AND AGAIN COULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS WHILE MY CAR WAS RUNNING. AS SOON AS I TURN THE IGNITION OFF I COULD SHIFT JUST FINE. I'VE RESEARCHED TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND EACH SOLUTION EQUATES TO PAYING A LOT FOR REPAIRS. I'M UPSET BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AT THIS TIME AND I NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR MY JOB. SEEMS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR THE ECLIPSE WAS MANUFACTORED, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. A DEFINITE RECALL IS NEEDED FOR THIS WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11173039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 89,200 miles Providence, RI

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,200.

NHTSA complaint #10983556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 132,958 miles Ashland, PA Crash

POWER TRAIN

MY CAR WAS STOLEN LAST YEAR BY SOMEONE I KNEW, AND WAS WRECKED. AFTER THE WRECK, MYSELF AND PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE SPOKE TO THE PERSON AND HE SAID THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AS HE WAS MAKING A TURN AND THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIE ROD TO SNAP WHICH PUNCTURED THROUGH THE WHEEL AND OUT THE TIRE. DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE CONFIRMS THIS, AND I HAVE PICTURES AND DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM. CAR WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ENTIRE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION DETACHED, CV SHAFT RIPPED OUT FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION, ENTIRE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY WAS RIPPED OFF, CALIPER, BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE HUB, BUT WERE DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL ALSO REMAINED INTACT ON THE HUB. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDER, INNER WHEEL HUB SPLASH GUARDS, HEADLIGHT, ETC. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HIS SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ON IMPACT. CAR WAS TOTALED AND CONSIDERED SALVAGE, BUT I RECONSTRUCTED IT AND HAVE OVER $4,500 INVESTED IN REPAIRS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE BRAKES AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WORKED PROPERLY. HE WAS TRAVELING ON A SIDE STREET THROUGH A SMALL TOWN AROUND 11PM ON A CLEAR, WARM NIGHT. NO OTHER MOVING CARS WERE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME, BUT HE DID SIDE SWIPE SEVERAL PARKED CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10978674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Indianapolis, IN

POWER TRAIN

2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL, ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT RECALL, POWER TRAIN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY ONLY HAD ONE RECALL APPLICABLE TO HIS VEHICLE, WHICH WAS FOR THE SUN VISOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK IS LEAKING AND HAS MANY WELDING ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10917134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse Carter Lake, IA

POWER TRAIN

NEEDS RECALL FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10872248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 40,000 miles Bloomfield, NJ

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED REPAIR WAS MADE ON 04/13/2016.

NHTSA complaint #10853326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 117,000 miles Aurora, IL

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #10851460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 90,000 miles Lumberton, MS Crash 2 injured

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, RIGHT ARM, AND FINGERS. THE CONTACT ALSO SUFFERED FROM A LARGE HEMATOMA ON THE RIGHT HIP. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10821530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 147,000 miles Pensacola, FL

POWER TRAIN

TRANSFER CASE IS DAMAGED DUE TO LACK OF FLUID. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI CONCERNING THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE DENIED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE REFERENCED RECALL, 98V168000, INCLUDED ALL MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX MODELS FROM 1990-1998. MY 1991 GSX WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. SEEKING ADVICE ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10682508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 49,000 miles Bryon Center, MI

POWER TRAIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT GEAR WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA complaint #10682146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 180,000 miles Anchorage, AK Fire

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN) WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 253,000.

NHTSA complaint #10466826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 135,000 miles Florissant, MO

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION STOPS FUNCTIONING DUE TO WAVE/CUSHION SPRING FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10459013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 95,000 miles Gilbert, AZ

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE LOW, CAUSING IT TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,450.

NHTSA complaint #10447784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 130,000 miles Newark, CA Fire

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEALS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. KMJ

NHTSA complaint #10407572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 110,000 miles Schaundurg, IL

POWER TRAIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOCKED ALL FOUR WHEELS; HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIR EXPENSES AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10372505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 126,500 miles Burnville, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD LEAKED WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) HAD PREVIOULY BEEN PERFORMED IN 1998. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 126,500.

NHTSA complaint #10364135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse problems