NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,063 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 #15

Aug 302004

Eclipse 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,065 miles

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

I have owned my care for 3 years. In that time I have had a leaking sunroof, broken passenger rear view mirror, broken passenger window "wont roll up", numerous tire changes, bad vibration, horrible noises when turning wheel, have replaced 2 transmissions, both tie rod ends, 1 lower ball joint and control arm suspension bar"more info on this below", alternator, both headlights, 4 differant seats of breaks, 2 seats constintly running low on oil, replaced the fuel filter, seat belts don't stop, battery cables keep caroding, replace spark plugs atleast 3 to 4 times a year, vibrates when going down road. Those are just the things off the top of my head that I have done to this car. Now to the accident. After I got off work I was on my way home when I decided to go to my friends so while driving to her house I hear a loud pop and the next thing I know my car is controling itself and I can't steer it. This was all do to my lower ball joint shattering and my wheel almost completly detaching from my car. Now the other side is starting to make that horrible noise. The control arm swung on the bottum of my car after it broke during this and tore out my oil filter, oil pan, and oxygen senseor. Have yet to recieve any information from Mitsubishi.

- Cyril, OK, USA

problem #14

Mar 142004

Eclipse 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 83,000 miles
October 20, 2003 I purchased a 1997 Eclipse gst from city limit auto in johnston, ri. March 14, 2004 I was driving home when a small click formed in 1st and 2nd gear after reaching 3,500 rpms. With-in minutes the click developed into what sounded like a small hole in the exhaust, probably the cat. Not wanting to risk it I pulled off the next exit to bring the car to my friend's house and have it towed. A street away from his house (doing 10mph in 1st gear), the noise grew into a loud constant electrical buzzing or clicking noise, no high oil presue on the dash light or gauge and no overheating according to gauge, with-in 5 seconds the oil pan blew, white billows of smoke puffed out and the engine seized. I tried to turn the car over, but all it did was clink, and when I got out I found a large oil puddle under my car. I went back to the dealer, but he refuses to fix it. I don't know the exact reason the engine blew, for lack of money, but after reading some websites I have concluded it was either the fuel pump, oil pump, or crankwalk. E-mail venomofvpstreet@aol.com with any info. For full story go to www.vpstreet.org/index.php?page=city thank you.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #13

Jan 022003

Eclipse

  • 89,875 miles
Smoke coming from under front tire. After inspection by Mitsubishi dealership in lancaster, pa, it was discovered that head gasket is leaking oil.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #12

Nov 012002

Eclipse

  • miles

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

The consumer vehicle is leaking oil coming from a blown head gasket. Please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 312001

Eclipse 4WD

  • miles
Crankshaft walking is a manufacturer defect in the engine. Please look up crankwalk in search engine.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #10

Feb 122002

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles
When starting there is a constant oil leak under vehicle. Also, a loud knocking noise, mechanic stated there was a malfunction within engine head gasket.

- Straford, CT, USA

problem #9

Jan 062002

Eclipse

  • miles

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

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 #8

Jan 012001

Eclipse

  • miles
Engine crankshaft failed.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #7

Jun 152001

Eclipse

  • miles
Lower pully fell apart at 68500 miles. Replaced new pully, two weeks later, new part fell apart on the highway running at 50 mph. Mechanics re mounted lower pully the second time in two weeks.

- Abington, MA, USA

problem #6

Mar 122001

Eclipse

  • miles
Vehicle is overheating. Dealership says that oil gasket and water pump are leaking, and need to be replaced. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

problem #5

Aug 282000

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles

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

While traveling notice smoke from tail pipe. Also oil leak. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further inofrmation.

- Vicksburg, MS, USA

problem #4

Aug 282000

(reported on)

Eclipse

  • miles
Consumer state noticed smoke from tail pipe.

- Vicksburg, MS, USA

problem #3

Jul 062000

Eclipse

  • miles
While driving flywheel broke, causing a loss of control. Dealer has been contacted.

- New Port Richie, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 261999

Eclipse

  • miles
1 and 1/2 years after I bought my "brand new" car, the check engine light went on. I was told that my water pump and gasket needed to be replaced. One week later I experienced a problem with the power steering, I was told the power steering pully, bracket and belt had gone and would need to be replaced. Since then I have had the brake pads and the roters resurfaced more times then I care to remember. On July 26, 1999, I had noticed a problem with my transmission. I immediately brought it to the dealership, they told me that the trans was "operating to manufacture's specs". on November 3, 1999 the dearlership advises me I need a new trans.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #1

May 291998

Eclipse 4WD

  • miles
Timing belt snapped and totally destroyed the engine.

- West Chest, PA, USA

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