2010 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, often pinkish-red, Transmission overheating warning light or erratic shifting, Low transmission fluid level on dipstick, burned smell

Fix: The cooler lines rust through where they pass the subframe, especially in salt states. Replace both hard lines and the external cooler assembly. 3-4 hours labor including fluid flush. Often discovered when checking for oil leaks—owners mistake ATF for engine oil.

Estimated cost: $450-800

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Burning one quart of oil every 800-1,500 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or hard acceleration, Fouled spark plugs, misfires on cylinders 2 and 3 most common

Fix: Piston ring wear and stuck oil control rings are the culprits. Mitsubishi never issued a formal recall but the 4G69 is notorious for this. Short-term fix is frequent top-offs; real fix requires engine rebuild or used replacement. Rebuild with new rings, hone, and valve seals runs 18-24 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking or thudding when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Excessive engine movement visible when revving in Park, Vibration through cabin at idle, especially with A/C on

Fix: The hydraulic front mount and solid rear mount both fail prematurely. V6 models are harder on mounts due to torque. Replace both mounts at once—front mount requires subframe support, 2.5-3 hours total labor. OEM mounts last longer than aftermarket polyurethane, which transmit too much vibration.

Estimated cost: $400-650

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Idle hunts between 600-1,100 RPM when warm, Rough or stalling idle at stoplights, Check engine light with P0505 (idle control) code

Fix: PCV system deposits carbon on the throttle plate. Remove throttle body, clean with throttle cleaner and soft brush, relearn idle with scan tool (CONSULT-III or equivalent). 1 hour labor. Do NOT clean with throttle body installed—damages the coating. This isn't a failure, just maintenance Mitsubishi doesn't mention.

Estimated cost: $120-220

Typical onset: 75,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Humming or growling noise from rear, increases with speed, Noise changes pitch in turns, louder when turning opposite the bad side, ABS warning light may illuminate if bearing severely worn

Fix: The rear hub assemblies are non-serviceable units. Replace the entire hub/bearing assembly, one side at a time unless both are noisy. 1.5 hours per side labor. Common on FWD platforms with rear trailing arms. Don't ignore this—seized bearings can lock the wheel.

Estimated cost: $350-550 per side

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Battery light flickering or staying on, Voltage drops below 13.5V at idle with accessories on, No-start after sitting overnight, battery tests good

Fix: Mitsubishi alternators fail internally—diodes short or voltage regulator quits. The 2.4L alternator is easier (1.5 hours), V6 requires removing the upper radiator hose and working blind (2.5 hours). Always check the battery cables for corrosion first—cheap fix if that's the real issue. Remanufactured alternators from quality brands hold up better than cheap offshore units.

Estimated cost: $450-750