The 2000 Eclipse is a sporty coupe with two distinct powertrain personalities: the 2.4L I4 is relatively bulletproof but underpowered, while the 3.0L V6 suffers catastrophic crankshaft failures that destroy the entire bottom end. Transmission cooling issues plague both, and electrical gremlins are par for the course.
3.0L V6 Crankshaft Failure (6G72 Engine)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud knocking or rattling from bottom end, especially on cold starts, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Sudden catastrophic failure with complete loss of power, Oil pressure drops dramatically before failure
Fix: The 6G72 V6 has weak crankshaft thrust bearings that wear prematurely, allowing crank walk that destroys pistons, rods, and cylinder walls. Fix requires complete engine rebuild or replacement short block. 18-25 labor hours for full rebuild, 12-16 for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking near radiator or front subframe, Pink or red fluid pooling under engine bay, Transmission overheating, harsh shifts, or slipping, Coolant and ATF mixing (milky fluid in either reservoir)
Fix: Factory cooler lines rust through where they route along subframe. If internal radiator cooler fails, coolant contaminates ATF and destroys transmission within days. Replace all cooler lines and add external cooler. 3-4 hours labor. If contamination occurred, transmission rebuild adds $1,800-2,800.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Rear Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud clunk when shifting from reverse to drive or during hard acceleration, Excessive driveline vibration at idle in gear, Visible engine/transmission movement when revving in park, Shift linkage feels sloppy or imprecise
Fix: Rubber rear transmission mount deteriorates and tears, allowing excessive powertrain movement. Simple replacement but requires lifting transmission slightly. Aftermarket polyurethane upgrades available for $20 more. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $180-320
Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Random no-start condition, especially when engine is hot, Intermittent stalling while driving, restarts after cooling, Check engine light with P0335 or P0339 code, Engine cranks but won't fire
Fix: Sensor on bellhousing fails from heat cycling. Common across both engines. Located behind intake manifold on V6 (major PITA), easier access on 4-cylinder. Sensor is $60-120, labor varies wildly: 1 hour on I4, 3-4 hours on V6 due to intake removal.
Estimated cost: $150-250 (I4), $400-650 (V6)
Headlight Switch Failure and Wiring Harness Melt
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Headlights flicker or cut out while driving, Burning plastic smell from dash near steering column, Headlight switch hot to touch, Complete loss of headlights, sometimes with dimmer positions only working
Fix: Factory headlight switch and connector can't handle current load, causing resistance, heat, and melted connectors. NHTSA recall was issued but many weren't fixed. Replace switch and repair/replace melted harness section. 1.5-2.5 hours depending on harness damage.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Front Lower Ball Joint Separation
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from front suspension over bumps, Steering wander or pulling to one side, Visible play when prying on wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock, Grease boot torn or missing
Fix: Ball joints wear and can separate catastrophically, causing loss of control. Not serviceable separately—entire lower control arm must be replaced. Both sides recommended simultaneously. Alignment required after. 2.5-3 hours labor for both sides.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or buzzing noise from rear seats/trunk area, Hard starting after sitting, especially in heat, Stumbling or hesitation under acceleration, Sudden stalling, won't restart until cooled down
Fix: In-tank pump fails from wear and heat. Requires dropping fuel tank. Use OEM or quality aftermarket—cheap pumps fail within a year. Replace fuel filter at same time (it's a pain to access separately). 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-850
Owner tips
If buying a V6 model, have a pre-purchase inspection specifically check for crankshaft end play—anything over 0.004 inches means imminent failure
Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles and install an external cooler immediately, especially on automatics
Carry a spare crankshaft position sensor in the glovebox—they fail without warning and strand you
Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for rust; replace proactively before they leak
Buy the 2.4L 4-cylinder manual if you want reliability; avoid the 3.0L V6 automatic unless you can confirm recent engine rebuild with upgraded thrust bearings—most will need $4,000+ in engine work within 20,000 miles.
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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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 15V338000
2015-06-02
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E060000
2006-06-29
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E049000
2006-05-24
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E026000
2006-03-23
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 04V428000
2004-09-01
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · 01V295001
2001-09-25
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH V6 ENGINES TO FEDERAL EMISSION STANDARDS. THE POWER STEERING FLUID FEED TUBE CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN THROUGH THE POWER STEERING PIPE ALLOWING FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence: LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN RESULT IN A FIRE AND CONTINUED LOSS OF FLUID WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING TUBE WITH ONE HAVING A NEW ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES · 01V011001
2001-01-16
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) · 00V225001
2000-08-10
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.
Consequence: A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.
Consequence: THIS CIRCUIT FAILURE COULD CAUSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO OCCUR: (1) THE ENGINE WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE WILL BLOW IF THE POWER LEAD IS GROUNDED; (2) THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE IF THE SIGNAL WIRE IS GROUNDED; (3) THE AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE LEAD TO THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH IS GROUNDED; AND (4) THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LAMPS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE VOLTAGE MONITOR LEAD IS GROUNDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR ALONG WITH HEAT RESISTANT HARNESS CLIPS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES DO SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HARNESS WITH PREINSTALLED INTEGRAL HEAT PROTECTION.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH · 99V305001
1999-11-01
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.
Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.
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