2000–2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE

3.0L V6FWDAUTOMATICgas
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$30,644 maintenance + known platform issues
~$6,129/yr · 510¢/mile equivalent · $5,159 maintenance + $6,535 expected platform issues
Compare this engine
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2.4L I4
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3.8L V6
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2000-2012 Eclipse with the 3.0L V6 (4G model) is a sporty coupe with chronic automatic transmission issues and mid-life engine failures that can sideline the car completely. Budget for major repairs or walk away from high-mileage examples.

4-Speed Automatic Transmission Failure (4F27E)

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, flaring between gears, Slipping under acceleration, especially when warm, Burnt fluid smell, metal shavings in pan, Check engine light with P0715, P0731, P0733 codes
Fix: Requires rebuild or replacement. Internal clutch packs and solenoids fail prematurely. Rebuild takes 12-16 hours, but many shops recommend reman unit due to poor rebuild longevity on this trans. Fluid changes every 30k can delay but not prevent.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Spun Rod Bearings / Crankshaft Failure

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud knocking from lower engine, especially cold start, Oil pressure warning light at idle, Metallic rattling that increases with RPM, Sudden oil pressure loss, engine seizure
Fix: The 6G72 V6 can spin rod bearings if oil changes are neglected or sludge accumulates. Requires full teardown, crank machining or replacement, new bearings, often pistons and rings. 25-35 hours labor. Many owners opt for used engine swap instead at 18-22 hours.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000

Rear Main Seal and Transmission Input Shaft Seal Leaks

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil spots under car after sitting overnight, Visible oil coating on back of engine block, Transmission bell housing wet with oil, Low oil level between changes
Fix: Rear main seal requires transmission removal (8-10 hours). Often done simultaneously with clutch on manuals or when trans is out for other work. Input shaft seal adds 1-2 hours if trans is already out. Not urgent but can contaminate clutch or lead to low oil if ignored.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Fuel Pump and Fuel Line Corrosion

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start or long crank times, especially when hot, Engine stalls at idle or under load, Fuel smell near tank or underbody, Rough idle, hesitation, P0171/P0174 lean codes
Fix: Fuel pumps fail around 120k-150k. Steel fuel lines rust through on salt-belt cars, often near rear subframe. Pump replacement is 3-4 hours, line repair/replacement adds 4-6 hours depending on extent. NHTSA recalls covered some line issues but not all.
Estimated cost: $600-1,800

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Red fluid pooling under front of car, Transmission overheating, burnt smell, Sudden loss of all gears, slipping, Hissing sound from radiator area
Fix: Hard lines from trans to radiator-mounted cooler corrode and burst, dumping all ATF in minutes. Requires line replacement and often radiator if internal cooler contaminates coolant. If driven without fluid, transmission is toast. 2-4 hours for lines, add 6-8 if trans is damaged.
Estimated cost: $400-800 (lines only), $3,200-5,000 (if trans destroyed)

Headlight Switch and Exterior Lighting Failures

Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Headlights flicker or cut out intermittently, Dash lights fail, can't adjust brightness, Headlight switch melted or burnt contacts, No headlights at all, parking lights work
Fix: Headlight switch overheats due to poor contact design. Multiple NHTSA recalls for exterior lighting. Replacement switch is 1-2 hours, but confirm wiring harness isn't damaged. Safety issue at night.
Estimated cost: $200-400

Engine and Transmission Mount Failure

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, worse with A/C on, Engine rocks visibly side-to-side on throttle blip, Harsh engagement, driveline shudder
Fix: Front and rear engine mounts, plus trans mount, deteriorate and tear. Front mount is 2 hours, rear 2.5 hours, trans mount 1.5 hours. Often done together for 5-6 hours total. Improves drivability significantly.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Owner tips
  • Change ATF every 30,000 mi with OEM Mitsubishi SP-III fluid—aftermarket fluids accelerate clutch wear
  • Use quality 5W-30 synthetic and change every 5,000 mi to prevent sludge and bearing failures on the 6G72
  • Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for rust; replace proactively in salt states before they burst
  • Budget $1,500/year for deferred maintenance on any 100k+ example—these need constant attention
  • Avoid automatics with 120k+ unless full trans service history is documented
Manual transmission examples with documented maintenance are tolerable project cars; high-mileage automatics are ticking time bombs best left on the lot.
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.
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