2021 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart every 500-1000 miles), Fuel smell in oil, dipstick reading high after short trips, Misfires, rough idle, loss of power, Metallic knocking, eventual catastrophic failure with no warning

Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Piston ring lands crack under detonation, fuel washes into crankcase during cold starts and short trips. 18-25 labor hours for short block R&R including timing, fluids, and re-programming. Most failures NOT covered under warranty despite being design-related.

Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from front of vehicle, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Slipping or hesitation during acceleration, Overheating warnings on dash

Fix: CVT cooler lines corrode at crimp points or cooler itself cracks. Requires cooler replacement, lines, fluid flush. 3-4 hours labor. Mitsubishi issued TSB but no recall. If delayed, CVT damage follows quickly.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Lurching sensation during acceleration, Visible movement of engine/trans when revving in park

Fix: Rear transmission mount deteriorates prematurely. Simple replacement but requires supporting transmission. 1.5-2 hours labor. OEM or quality aftermarket required—cheap mounts fail in under 20k.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Symptoms: Hard starting, extended cranking, Stumbling, hesitation under load, Check engine light with fuel trim codes, Limp mode activation

Fix: In-tank fuel pump module filter clogs with debris, often correlated with poor fuel quality or tank contamination. Requires dropping tank, pump module replacement. 2.5-3 hours labor. Check for rust inside tank—some early production tanks had coating issues.

Estimated cost: $600-950

Typical onset: varies

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no visible leak, Overheating episodes, Milky oil or oil in coolant reservoir

Fix: Secondary failure after engine runs hot due to cooler or thermostat issues. Head gasket job on this engine requires 12-15 hours (both banks if V-config, single bank if I4). Head resurfacing often needed. If caught early, head gasket replacement suffices; if not, see problem #1.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi

Symptoms: Loud knocking that increases with RPM, Oil pressure warning light, Metal shavings in oil during change, Sudden engine seizure

Fix: Related to oil dilution problem—fuel-thinned oil loses viscosity, bearings starve, crank journals score. Requires full crankshaft R&R, bearing replacement, journal polishing or crank replacement. 20-28 hours labor. Often totals the vehicle if out of warranty.

Estimated cost: $7,000-11,000