NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Owner Comments

problem #17

Oct 092002

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine fails. Happens every 3 or 4 months at various speeds. Engine light comes on and engine quits. Wait 3 or 4 minutes and car starts normally and will run fine for a few months. I think this could could create a potentially dangerous situation.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

problem #16

Jan 182002

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles
The consumer experienced two engine failures within six months. The consumer was told that the problem was in the thrust bearing which holds the camshaft in the engine. This bearing has a tendency to fail causing the engine to stop running, the engine has stalled while driving.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #15

Sep 062001

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehcile stalls when driving or changing gears, and looses all power steering, when power steering was lost consumer ran into a curb.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #14

Sep 122001

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle experienced two engine failures within 6 months, the engine simply stopped functioning without warning, the consumer was told that the thrust bearing failed causing the engine to fail. Nlm

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #13

Jan 182002

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles
The consumer experienced two engine failures within six months. The consumer was told that the problem was in the thrust bearing which holds the camshaft in the engine. This bearing has a tendency to fail causing the engine to stop running, the engine has stalled while driving.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 062002

Eclipse

  • miles
Driver noticed smoke coming from under vehicle. Driver stopped vehicle/ put vehicle in park/ looked under car and saw oil was leaking. When pressing gas consumer could see a flame of fire. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that vehicle needed a head gasket.

- Croswell, MI, USA

problem #11

Sep 122001

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle experienced two engine failures within 6 months, the engine simply stopped functioning without warning, the consumer was told that the thrust bearing failed causing the engine to fail. Nlm the first occasion was when consumer was driving at highway speeds, the second occasion occurred while accelerating from a stop through an intersection.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 062001

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehcile stalls when driving or changing gears, and looses all power steering, when power steering was lost consumer ran into a curb.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #9

Sep 032001

Eclipse

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
These cars are not worth the money used to make them!!!!. no safety defect listed.

- Portland, TN, USA

problem #8

Apr 162001

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles
Vehicle will stall while driving regardless of speed and without warning. Dealer has replaced fuelpump/ ignition switch and computer, but defect still occurs.

- Ashland City, TN, USA

problem #7

Feb 262001

(reported on)

Eclipse 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is a very common problem in 1995 to 1998 Eclipses and talons. Thrust bearing wears out. Replacing the thrust bearing doesn't help! you have to replace the entire engine.

- Northborough, MA, USA

problem #6

Sep 022000

Eclipse

  • miles
Well, its one of the defaults that Mitsubishi is hiding. Its a failure in the crank bearing which causes the clutch not to work properly and a very annoying taping sound when the clutch is pressed. The main dangerous problem is that you cannot shift properly while driving making it unsafe and frustrating. I took my car to the dealer and they said I need to replace the whole engine(shortblock) and it will be under my cost around $3500. The workers there addmitted to me that its a default that they dont have a recall on. I bought the car under the intention that Mitsubishi makes very reliable products. Unfortunatly I was very mistaken especially after the few incidents on the news. Please help me because I am losing a lot of money with this problem. Thank you.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 162000

Eclipse

  • miles
There was no indication prior to the engine blowing that there was a problem. The mechanic said there was plenty of oil in it. Only a used engine with 63,000 miles on it could be located to repair the car at a cost of $3474.17. Mitsibushi was called and their only response was there were no recalls involving this particular car. A letter was mailed to them with the auto shop bill on August 30, 2000. There has been no response from them.

- El Dorado Hills, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 122000

Eclipse

  • miles
Vechile repeatedly fails to start. It has the sensation that it's not getting any fuel. On two separate occasions, the vehicle has died while driving around 25/35mph, again feeling as if it had ran out of gas. On both occasions I had over half a tank of gas. I have taken the car to the dealer 3 times, once it was towed, and they kept it for two or three days saying they cannot find anything wrong.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #3

Oct 281999

Eclipse

  • miles
The car is missing and makes a knocking sound, hard vibration when idle and car jerks, does not seem to shift up to next gear, engine light comes on. Have taken care into dealership for repair for same problem at least 7 times. Dealership claims they cannot duplicate the problems I report to them. Windows are loose, rattle, and leak. I have had them tightened several times. I sent a letter to dave mckenzie (vp of service and engineering at Mitsubishi) in 10/98. I have not received a response.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #2

May 051999

Eclipse

  • miles
While driving about 30 mph consumer stopped at a red light. Then tried to move, but vehicle won't move even when he stepped on gas pedal.this problem had happend on the freeway before.

- Alamida, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 101997

Eclipse

  • miles
While driving on highway going 60 mph the vehicle completelty shut down. The rmp's kept going from 3 to 0 and then the vehicle shut down. Vehicle started back up again, this happened three more times, vehicle had to be towed. Dealer cannot find problem.

- River Forest, IL, USA

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