1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: clutch slipping prematurely, oil leaking from front main seal, pulley wobble visible at idle, eventual catastrophic engine failure if ignored

Fix: Crankshaft thrust bearing surfaces wear, allowing crank to move fore-aft until it damages the front main seal and eventually destroys the block. Fix requires engine removal, full teardown, machine work, and upgraded thrust bearings or crankshaft replacement. 20-30 labor hours depending on damage extent.

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: harsh 2-3 shift or no 3rd gear, slipping under load, burnt ATF smell, shuddering on takeoff, limp mode or refusing to shift

Fix: These Mitsubishi-built automatics are chronically weak, especially behind the turbo or 2.4L. Clutch packs burn, valve body wears, and torque converter fails. Rebuild kits exist but many shops recommend replacement with low-mileage JDM unit or upgraded valve body. Remove/install plus rebuild: 12-16 hours.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Symptoms: knocking/rattling at idle that worsens with RPM, sudden loss of oil pressure, metal shavings in oil, catastrophic engine seizure

Fix: Aggressive driving, clogged oil pickup, or extended oil change intervals starve the bottom end. Rod bearings spin, score the crank, and destroy the block. Requires full engine rebuild or replacement. Many owners swap in JDM 4G63 long blocks. 25-35 hours for rebuild; 16-20 for swap.

Estimated cost: $4,000-7,500

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: coolant loss with no visible leaks, white smoke from exhaust, milky oil on dipstick, overheating under load

Fix: Chrysler-built 420A uses composite head gasket that fails between cylinders or into coolant jacket. Requires head removal, resurfacing, new gasket set, timing belt, and water pump while open. 10-14 labor hours.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: clunking over bumps, loose/vague steering, visible torn boot or play when prying, tire wearing unevenly on inside edge

Fix: NHTSA recall 97V169000 addressed premature wear, but many were never fixed or have since worn again. Ball joint separates from control arm under load—catastrophic if it happens at speed. Replace both lower control arms with ball joints pressed in. 3-4 hours per side.

Estimated cost: $500-900

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: stumbling or cutting out under boost (turbo), hard starting when hot, stalling at idle after driving, lean condition codes / surging

Fix: In-tank pump wears, can't maintain pressure under load. Turbo cars especially sensitive. Drop tank, replace pump and filter sock, install new strainer. 3-4 labor hours. OEM Mitsubishi pump recommended for turbo models.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Symptoms: one headlight stays up or down, slow/grinding operation, lights won't retract, motor whining but no movement

Fix: Plastic gears strip inside pop-up motor assemblies, or pivots seize from corrosion. Replace motor or rebuild with metal gear kits (available aftermarket). Each side is independent. 1-2 hours per side.

Estimated cost: $150-350