1990-2012 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1990-2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 17 documented known issues, with 10 rated critical. The most serious are Automatic Transmission Failure (4-Speed) ($1,500-$4,000 repair), AWD (GSX) Transfer Case Lockup - NHTSA Recall 98V069000, Front Lower Ball Joint Boot Damage and Separation (NHTSA Recalls 99V066001 / 00V421001), AWD Transfer Case Lockup and Output Shaft Seal Leaks (GSX, NHTSA Recall 98V069001) ($300-$2,000 repair), 4G63 7-Bolt Crank Walk (Thrust Bearing Failure) ($3,500-$7,500 repair), Balance Shaft Belt Failure Destroying the Timing Belt (Interference 4G63) ($1,500-$4,000 repair), Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure ($400-$1,200 repair), 4G63 "Crankwalk" - Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (7-bolt engines) ($3,000-$6,500 repair), Front Subframe / Crossmember and Rocker Rust Corrosion (salt-belt cars) ($500-$2,500 repair) and Timing Belt Failure on Interference 4G63 (catastrophic valve damage) ($600-$3,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $7,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system (ABS) unit, one or more of the internal valves may seize. In a braking event that uses the ABS, a seized valve would increase brake pedal travel and reduce braking ability.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1990-2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 17 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Automatic Transmission Failure (4-Speed), AWD (GSX) Transfer Case Lockup - NHTSA Recall 98V069000, Front Lower Ball Joint Boot Damage and Separation (NHTSA Recalls 99V066001 / 00V421001). Of these, 10 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1990-2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 17 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 10 issues are rated critical: Automatic Transmission Failure (4-Speed) and AWD (GSX) Transfer Case Lockup - NHTSA Recall 98V069000 and Front Lower Ball Joint Boot Damage and Separation (NHTSA Recalls 99V066001 / 00V421001) and AWD Transfer Case Lockup and Output Shaft Seal Leaks (GSX, NHTSA Recall 98V069001) and 4G63 7-Bolt Crank Walk (Thrust Bearing Failure) and Balance Shaft Belt Failure Destroying the Timing Belt (Interference 4G63) and Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure and 4G63 "Crankwalk" - Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (7-bolt engines) and Front Subframe / Crossmember and Rocker Rust Corrosion (salt-belt cars) and Timing Belt Failure on Interference 4G63 (catastrophic valve damage). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Mitsubishi Eclipse issues range from $50 to $7,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Automatic Transmission Failure (4-Speed), typically costs $1,500-$4,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1990-2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse with 17 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.
The 4-speed automatic transmission in the 3rd generation Eclipse (particularly V6 GT models) is prone to premature failure. The transmission develops harsh shifting, slipping, and eventually fails completely, often due to overheating and worn clutch packs. Repairs typically run $1,500-$4,000. Severity: high.
NHTSA recall 98V069001 establishes that certain AWD Eclipse vehicles can experience transfer-case lockup from insufficient lubrication, creating a loss-of-control risk. The manufacturer remedy is inspection of transfer-case oil volume, leakage and operational degradation, followe… Severity: high.
NHTSA recalls 99V066001 and 00V421001 establish that damaged front lower lateral-arm ball-joint boots can admit dirt, water or moisture, leading to wear or corrosion and possible ball-joint separation. The expanded campaign remedy uses a measured wear tolerance: replace joints be… Severity: high.
On AWD GSX (and Talon TSi AWD platform) cars, the transfer case output shaft seal leaks gear oil until the case runs dry, and per NHTSA recall 98V069001 'lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.' Owners have reported the wheels locking at 50-68 mph,… Repairs typically run $300-$2,000. Severity: high.
The 1995-1999 Eclipse GS-T and GSX use the 7-bolt 4G63 turbo engine, which is notoriously prone to 'crank walk' — excessive axial movement of the crankshaft caused by thrust bearing failure. The crankshaft literally moves fore-and-aft inside the block, eventually destroying the c… Repairs typically run $3,500-$7,500. Severity: high.
The turbo 4G63 is an interference engine, and its narrow balance shaft belt runs directly alongside the main timing belt. When the aging balance shaft belt frays or snaps — common on neglected 1G six-bolt and 2G seven-bolt cars — the debris gets caught in the timing belt, causing… Repairs typically run $1,500-$4,000. Severity: high.
The Eclipse timing belt tensioner hydraulic damper fails, allowing the timing belt to become loose and potentially jump teeth. The water pump, driven by the timing belt, also develops bearing failure and coolant leaks. These failures are particularly common on the 4G64 and 4G69 e… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: high.
The 1996-1999 second-generation Eclipse turbo (GS-T/GSX) uses the 7-bolt 4G63T, which is notorious for "crankwalk": the crankshaft thrust bearing wears out and allows the crank to move excessively fore-aft (lateral end-play). Marginal oiling to the thrust surface, dirt contaminat… Repairs typically run $3,000-$6,500. Severity: high.
Like most DSM-era cars, 1990s Eclipses in road-salt regions suffer structural corrosion of the front crossmember/subframe (which locates the lower control arms) as well as the rocker panels, strut towers, and rear subframe/trailing-arm mounts. Because the lower control arms bolt… Repairs typically run $500-$2,500. Severity: high.
The DOHC 4G63 (both the naturally aspirated 4G63 and turbo 4G63T across 1990-1999) is an interference engine: if the timing belt snaps or jumps, the pistons strike the open valves, bending valves and often damaging the head and pistons. These belts were specified for replacement… Repairs typically run $600-$3,500. Severity: high.
The 3.0L 6G72 and 3.8L 6G75 V6 engines in the Eclipse GT develop excessive oil consumption over time. Worn valve stem seals and piston ring glazing allow oil to enter the combustion chambers, producing blue exhaust smoke and requiring frequent top-offs. Repairs typically run $300-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Both 1G and 2G Eclipse/Talon bodies rot in predictable places: the rear wheel arches and the lower quarter panel just ahead of the rear tires, the rocker/support area under the doors, and — most structurally serious — the front strut towers. The arch and rocker seams trap road sa… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: medium.
The electrolytic capacitors in 1990-1994 ECUs have defective seals and leak electrolyte onto the circuit board, corroding traces and surface-mount components — 1990-1993 units are worst, and the front capacitor in 1990 ECUs is known to short and burn through the board under it, t… Repairs typically run $50-$300. Severity: medium.
The 4G63 uses a cam angle sensor (an optical sensor mounted in the distributor housing on the exhaust cam) to provide the crank/cam timing signal to the ECU. With age the CAS optical disc, LEDs/phototransistors, and internal bearing wear out and produce erratic or lost signals. O… Repairs typically run $200-$550. Severity: medium.
On 1995-1999 cars the fuel pump's factory wiring is undersized and its chassis ground (at the floor crossmember under the driver's seat) corrodes with age, dropping voltage at the pump into the 10-11V range under load. The paired fuel pump/MFI relay behind the center console can… Repairs typically run $75-$400. Severity: medium.
The 4G63's hydraulic lash adjusters (lifters) are notorious for clogging with oil varnish or bleeding down, producing the infamous DSM 'lifter tick' from the valve cover. The early-design lifters used in 1G cars were revised twice by Mitsubishi specifically to address the noise. Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: low.
As the 4G63/4G63T ages, the valve stem seals harden and shrink, letting oil seep down the valve guides into the combustion chamber. The signature symptom is a puff of blue smoke on startup or on a quick rev after the engine has idled for a while, plus gradual oil consumption. Tur… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
