1995 EAGLE VISION

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 upshift, Slipping under acceleration, especially when warm, Burnt fluid smell or dark brown transmission fluid, Limp mode or stuck in second gear

Fix: The 41TE/42LE four-speed is notoriously weak. Solenoid pack failures are common but often just delay the inevitable — full rebuild or replacement. Expect 8-12 hours labor for a rebuild, less for a reman swap. The transmission oil cooler inside the radiator also fails, sending coolant into the trans and destroying it; address this preemptively.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on startup, Coolant loss with no visible leak, Milky oil or oil in coolant reservoir, Overheating or rough idle

Fix: The 3.5L SOHC V6 can blow head gaskets, especially rear bank. Often requires both heads pulled, resurfaced, and new gaskets. Budget 14-18 hours labor. The 3.3L is less prone but not immune. If coolant is getting into cylinders, you may also need a short block.

Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from the front end, Steering wander or vague on-center feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Vehicle pulls to one side

Fix: Front lower control arm bushings and ball joints wear out, and there was a recall for fracturing arms. Many techs replace the entire control arm assembly rather than pressing bushings. Both sides typically need doing at once. 3-4 hours labor, alignment required.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Visible wobble of the crank pulley at idle, Serpentine belt repeatedly shredding or coming off, Loud rattling or knocking from the front of the engine, Check engine light with crank or cam position sensor codes

Fix: The rubber isolator in the harmonic balancer deteriorates, allowing the outer ring to separate or wobble. If it comes apart at speed, it can destroy the timing cover, serpentine belt system, and sensor wiring. Replacement requires balancer puller and installer tools. 2-3 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant smell from engine bay, no visible drips, Slight coolant loss over time, Rough idle or misfire codes when cold, Visible coolant residue at intake manifold seams

Fix: Lower intake plenum gaskets leak coolant externally or into the intake runners. Requires removing the upper plenum and fuel rails. Not terrible, but tedious with all the vacuum lines and wiring. 4-6 hours labor depending on accessibility.

Estimated cost: $500-900

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Battery light on or flickering, Dim headlights at idle, brightening with RPM, Electrical accessories acting erratically, No-start or dead battery after short trips

Fix: The Mitsubishi or Bosch alternators used in these have short service lives, especially in hot climates. Voltage regulators fail internally. Replacement is straightforward on the 3.3L; tighter on the 3.5L. 1.5-2.5 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $300-500

Typical onset: 100,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: No-start or long crank before starting, Stalling at idle or under load, Loss of power on highway or uphill, Fuel pump whine from rear of car

Fix: In-tank fuel pump assembly wears out. Requires dropping the tank or cutting an access panel in the floor (some techs do this, not factory-approved). Pump, strainer, and sending unit come as an assembly. 2-3 hours labor if tank is dropped properly.

Estimated cost: $400-700