The 2002 Eclipse is a sporty coupe that suffers from serious automatic transmission failures and catastrophic engine problems on the V6, while the four-cylinder is more dependable but still experiences bearing and oil consumption issues at higher miles.
Automatic Transmission Failure (4-Speed F4A42/F4A51)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Delayed engagement into reverse or drive, Hard shifts between 2nd and 3rd gear or slipping under load, Whining noise from transmission area, especially when cold, Trans temp light flashing or check engine light with P0733/P0734 codes
Fix: Rebuilds rarely last; used transmissions are gambles. Factory reman or aftermarket rebuild runs 12-16 hours labor. Cooler lines and external cooler often fail first, cooking the trans fluid—inspect religiously every oil change.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Crankshaft and Rod Bearing Failure (3.0L V6)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Deep knocking noise on cold start that may disappear when warm, Metallic rattling under acceleration, Sudden loss of oil pressure, oil light illuminated, Metal shavings in oil during changes
Fix: The 6G72 V6 has weak bearing design and oil starvation issues. Once knocking starts, it's engine-out for crank regrind or replacement. Most shops recommend used engine swap (8-12 hours) or short block replacement (14-18 hours) over full rebuild due to parts availability.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Piston Ring Wear and Oil Consumption (Both Engines)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning one quart of oil every 800-1,200 miles, Blue smoke on deceleration or startup, Fouled spark plugs, especially cylinders 2 and 3 on the four-cylinder, Loss of power and rough idle when oil gets low
Fix: The 4G64 four-cylinder and 6G72 V6 both suffer ring flutter and carbon buildup. Proper fix requires engine-out teardown for honing, new rings, and valve seals (16-20 hours). Many owners just top off oil until engine failure, then swap.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Head Gasket Failure (3.0L V6)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust with sweet smell, Coolant mysteriously disappearing without visible leaks, Overheating under load or in traffic, Milky oil on dipstick or oil cap, bubbles in coolant reservoir
Fix: V6 head gaskets fail between cylinders or into coolant jackets. Engine-out recommended for rear bank access, both heads should be resurfaced (14-18 hours total). Timing belt, water pump, and all seals done simultaneously or you're asking for a comeback.
Estimated cost: $2,500-3,900
Transmission and Engine Mounts Collapse
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Engine rocking visibly when revved in park, Difficulty shifting manual transmission smoothly
Fix: Hydraulic mounts fail internally and leak fluid. Front engine mount and rear trans mount are worst offenders. Replace all three mounts as a set (2.5-3.5 hours). Aftermarket poly bushings last longer but increase NVH.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Fuel System Clogging and Fuel Filter Issues
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Hesitation or stumble during acceleration, Hard starting after sitting overnight, Engine stalling at idle or low RPM, Check engine light with lean codes P0171/P0174
Fix: In-tank fuel filter screens clog; Mitsubishi didn't make them serviceable without dropping the tank or pulling the pump assembly. Fuel pump replacement is common fix (2-3 hours). Clean injectors and replace external filter if equipped during the job.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds, Uneven or cupped tire wear on inside edges, Wandering or loose steering feel
Fix: Bushings tear and ball joints wear in the pressed-in lower arms. Replace whole control arms as assemblies (both sides, 2.5-3 hours) rather than pressing bushings. Alignment mandatory after or you'll eat tires in 10,000 miles.
Estimated cost: $500-850
Buy the four-cylinder manual if you want a fun, affordable project; avoid the V6 automatic unless you're prepared for a $3,000-5,000 powertrain overhaul before 120k 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.