The 2001 Eclipse is a sporty coupe with two very different engines: the 2.4L I4 is generally reliable but suffers from oil consumption issues at higher mileage, while the 3.0L V6 (6G72) is notorious for catastrophic crankshaft failures. Both share transmission cooling problems and typical Japanese car rust issues in salt states.
Crankshaft Failure (3.0L V6 only)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of oil pressure, Metallic knocking from bottom end, Engine seizes without warning, Oil light flickers before catastrophic failure
Fix: The 6G72 engine has undersized crankshaft journals and weak main bearings that fail prematurely. Fix requires complete engine rebuild (20-30 hours) or replacement short block. Many owners find out when the crank snaps and punches through the block. Prevention involves religious 3,000-mile oil changes with quality synthetic.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000
Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink transmission fluid leaking near radiator, Transmission slipping or erratic shifts, Milky transmission fluid (coolant cross-contamination), Overheating transmission
Fix: The rubber cooler lines running from transmission to radiator deteriorate and burst, or the internal cooler in the radiator fails allowing coolant and ATF to mix. This destroys the transmission within miles if not caught immediately. Replace both cooler lines and radiator preventively (4-6 hours). If contamination occurred, transmission rebuild is mandatory.
Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Fouled spark plugs, Check engine light for misfire codes
Fix: Piston rings wear prematurely or get carboned up, especially if previous owner used conventional oil or extended intervals. Catch-can installation helps but doesn't fix worn rings. Full fix requires engine teardown and ring replacement or piston replacement (18-24 hours). Many owners just keep adding oil until other issues force retirement.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500
Transmission and Engine Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive, Excessive vibration at idle, Engine rocks side-to-side during acceleration, Grinding or banging over bumps
Fix: Both hydraulic transmission mount and front engine mounts tear and leak fluid. The transmission mount is notorious for complete collapse. Replace all three engine/trans mounts as a set (3-5 hours). Doing one at a time just accelerates failure of the others due to increased stress.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Headlight Connector Melting
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Headlights flickering or cutting out, Melted plastic smell from headlight area, Burned connector pins, Intermittent low-beam operation
Fix: Factory headlight connectors are undersized for the load and melt over time, especially if upgraded bulbs were installed. Requires replacement pigtail and bulb socket (1-2 hours). Subject of multiple NHTSA recalls but many vehicles still have original connectors. Use OEM-spec bulbs only.
Estimated cost: $150-300
Rear Subframe and Trailing Arm Rust
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Clunking from rear suspension, Visible rust perforation on subframe, Rear wheel alignment issues that won't hold, Vehicle crabwalks or rear wheels out of square
Fix: In salt states, the rear subframe and trailing arm mounting points rust through by 15-20 years. Catastrophic failure means the wheel assembly can separate from chassis. Inspection requires putting car on lift and checking subframe integrity with screwdriver. Replacement requires subframe and trailing arms (8-12 hours) but many cars are totaled due to rust extent.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,500 (if caught early)
Fuel Pump and Fuel Filter Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Stumbling under acceleration, Stalling at idle after driving, Whining noise from fuel tank area
Fix: In-tank fuel pump fails due to age and contaminated fuel. The inline fuel filter (often forgotten) clogs and starves the engine. Filter should be changed every 30,000 miles but rarely is. Pump replacement requires tank drop (3-4 hours). Replace filter at same time as pump to avoid comebacks.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Owner tips
V6 owners: use full synthetic oil and change at 3,000-mile intervals religiously to extend crankshaft life
Replace transmission cooler lines and radiator together around 80,000 miles as preventive maintenance
Check rear subframe for rust annually in salt states — this is a safety-critical item
Keep a quart of oil in the trunk if you have the 2.4L I4 over 100k miles
Never upgrade to higher-wattage headlight bulbs without rewiring the connectors
Buy the 2.4L I4 manual transmission version only, and budget for oil consumption and transmission cooler lines; avoid the V6 unless you can verify recent engine rebuild with upgraded bearings.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 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 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.
SEATS · 01V005001
2001-01-08
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.
Consequence: THE REAR ANCHOR BOLTS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 00V320001
2000-10-27
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.
Consequence: THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · 00V299001
2000-10-02
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.
Consequence: PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.
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