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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severitySymptoms: 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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
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.