The 1994 Eclipse is a fun, affordable FWD/AWD sport coupe undermined by transmission fragility (especially automatics), crankwalk on turbo 4G63 engines, and typical 90s Mitsubishi electrical gremlins. Non-turbo models are more reliable but lack the performance appeal.
Crankshaft Walk (Turbo 2.0L 4G63)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or knocking noise from lower engine, especially on cold starts, Increased front-to-back crankshaft endplay (>0.008 in.), Clutch slipping or difficulty shifting as crank walks into pressure plate, Metal shavings in oil, eventual catastrophic failure
Fix: Full engine teardown, new thrust bearings, crank replacement if scored, updated oil pump (later 6-bolt design preferred). 20-30 hours labor if catching early; if crank is damaged, often cheaper to swap in a known-good engine core. Most turbo Eclipses of this era either already had this fixed or will need it.
Estimated cost: $2,800-5,500
Automatic Transmission Failure (F4A33/W4A33)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Slipping between gears, especially 2nd-3rd, Delayed or harsh engagement from Park, Burnt ATF smell, dark or metallic fluid, Complete loss of forward gears, limp mode
Fix: The 4-speed auto behind both engines is notoriously weak. Clutch packs and valve body wear prematurely. Rebuilt unit is 8-12 hours labor; many owners swap to manual instead. External cooler and frequent fluid changes (every 30k) help but don't prevent eventual failure.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Headlight Motor and Pop-Up Assembly Failure
Common · low severitySymptoms: One or both headlights fail to rise, or rise unevenly, Grinding noise from motor, lights stuck halfway, Intermittent operation in cold weather, Headlight switch clicks but no movement
Fix: Plastic gears strip, motors burn out. Aftermarket motors are cheap but quality varies; OEM NLA. Manual override knob saves you from being stranded. 1-2 hours per side to R&R motor and lubricate tracks. Some owners convert to fixed headlights.
Estimated cost: $150-400
Transmission and Engine Mounts (All Models)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive engine movement during hard acceleration or shifting, Clunking when engaging Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Driveline shudder under load
Fix: Rubber mounts deteriorate, especially the front engine mount and rear trans mount. Aftermarket polyurethane adds NVH but lasts longer. 2-3 hours labor for all three mounts, straightforward job but requires engine support.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Fuel Pump and Filter Clogging (High-Mileage)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when hot, Surging or stumbling under hard acceleration, Stalling at idle after spirited driving, Check engine light with lean codes (P0171/P0174)
Fix: In-tank pump weakens, fuel filter (in engine bay) clogs. Filter replacement is easy (0.5 hr), pump requires dropping tank (2-3 hrs). Many fail to replace filter regularly, accelerating pump wear. On turbo cars, weak fuel delivery risks knock and engine damage.
Estimated cost: $250-650
Interior Electrical Gremlins (Gauges, Windows, Locks)
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Intermittent gauge cluster failures (speedo, tach dropping to zero), Power windows slow or inoperative, especially driver side, Door locks actuate randomly or not at all, Dome light and accessory faults
Fix: Corroded harness connectors, worn window regulators, failed gauge stepper motors. Most issues traced to C101 connector behind dash (needs cleaning) or bad grounds. Labor varies widely (1-4 hrs) depending on specific fault. Window regulators aftermarket are cheap but flimsy.
Estimated cost: $100-800
Turbo Wastegate Actuator and Boost Control Issues (Turbo Models)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Overboost or underboost conditions, sluggish acceleration, Check engine light with boost pressure codes, Wastegate rattle at idle or under light throttle, Fuel cut at high RPM due to boost spike
Fix: Factory wastegate actuator diaphragm tears, or rod seizes. Adjustable aftermarket units common upgrade. Also check vacuum lines for cracks and boost control solenoid. Turbo itself (TD04 or TD05) generally solid. 2-3 hours labor to diagnose and replace actuator.
Estimated cost: $200-500
Buy a manual-trans non-turbo 1.8L or 2.0L for cheap fun; avoid automatics entirely and only touch a turbo if you're handy with a wrench and ready for project-car ownership.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.