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1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse engine problems

21 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 81,000.

owner complaints
21
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
81,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine
    12
  • Engine: gasoline
    2
  • Cooling system: radiator assembly
    2
  • Cooling system
    2
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mitsubishi Eclipse engine problems in other years

1990199520002008

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 6, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

1998 mitsubishi eclipse, unit 1 was traveling east on the ohio turnpike near the 54 milepost. Unit 1 filled with smoke. Unit 1 pulled to the right shoulder and stopped. The driver of unit 1 exited and opened the hood and observed fire. The driver of unit 1 was charged with ovi. Bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0046-89)*jb updated 04/22/11

Filed Sep 23, 2007 · Engine · 50,000 miles · VA

Around 50,000 miles about 2001 my service engine light would come on and go off. I call dealership and because I couldn't be seen no earlier than 2 weeks ahead of time I was unable to get a convenient appt. I didn't get the vehicle in the shop until much later. When the light started staying on steady around 81,000 I took it in. I took the vehicle to my local mitsubishi dealership and they charged me over $200 to tell me my computer was no good and a new one would cost $1100 and my warranty on the computer went out at 80,000. I let some time go by and purchased a computer from the junkyard. I then found a place that rebuilt computers. I sent my original computer away. I later got a phone call with the place telling me that my computer had been recalled so I called mitsubishi. They told me there had not been a recall so I called the place back. The guy explained that my computer had the same issue as many others like mine had and that mitsuibishi did not recall them but stop making that type of computer. He did tell me they made a new one and if I could find out what they went over to he could find me one. When I called mits back and explained they told me that the dealership could have over ridden the 81,00 miles since it was so close to the 80,000 and if I went back there I could see if they would do it. Well I called back and spoke to the service manager. He wanted me to do another diagnostic test which I am trying to explain that would not benefit me. I would be paying another $200 plus dollars to be told the same thing that they had already told me or told something different which means I have wasted my first $200 plus dollars. I gave up and have been replacing everything on the car to get it fixed. I have no choice but to use the junkyard computer cause my original one had blown up and it has been an issue every since. My service engine soon light stays on now and it is missing badly. I have changed the oxygen sensors 3 times.

Filed Jun 12, 2006 · Acceleration, Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

I bought my 98 eclipse, standard, in 2003, not even a year after I had it it died on me on the freeway one day. Turned out it was the speed sensor that got me stranded in the middle of no where. About another 6 months later the found an oil leak on the head gasket that was making me misfire, that was fixed. The car was fine until about 2 months ago when the engine went out on me because apparently the engine oil and coolant were somehow mixing, my hoses were out, so was my water pump, o2 sensor and fuel pump sensor, all at the same time. Well I had major work done everything was put in new, about a month later my driver door handle falls off, that cost me 150 dollars! One month after that, now, my speedometer stops working all of a sudden and 2 weeks later my transmission goes out. Also my clutch is going out. So now I cant drive the car any higher than 5th gear because it throws my gear out!!! Since I still owe 6k on the car I have no choice but to fix it. Which is going to end up costing me, in all I've spent and am about to spend, as much as I still owe on the car!

Filed May 2, 2005 · Engine · 40,000 miles · PA

40000 or more need a new head gastic and thats taking the engine apart, had a leak wasn't value gasitic and turned out to be head gasitic, when you drive car a 100 miles or so it loses oil, and loose about half a court of oil and burning smell, if you don't replace will loose more oil

Filed Aug 11, 2004 · Engine · IL

My car has been overheating, and burning coolant. My mechanic inspected the car and found a faulty head gasket. Mechanic claims he sees this a lot in the eclipse. This is an expensive replacement job, and manufacturer will not warranty it.

Filed Jun 29, 2004 · Engine · 85,000 miles · OK

Lifter ticking at 85000 miles. Over $1000 to replace lifters. Have not yet replaced the old ones. Many people have said have same problem and the new lifters are revised. So why not change faulty old style ones?

Filed Apr 30, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 81,000 miles · OH

Had recall done for lateral arm, dealer informed me head gasket was blown, two weeks later both door handles broke off, maybe the door handles shouldn't be made of plastic. The car has been through two alternator belts in the last two years. The car overheats and it melts them right off. You buy a product from mitsubishi so you dont expect it to be made by chrysler. My sister drives a dodge avenger and we have the same exact engine, and guess what happened to it ---a blown head gasket. Maybe you people should stand behind your product and fix the ever so common problem. Everyone I know who drives an eclipse has a blown head gasket. I am very unhappy and will never buy a car from mitsubishi again.

Filed Feb 7, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · SC

Vehicle has 90,000 miles and is 1998 manufacturing date. Engine and transmission are both completely irreparable. No evidience of low oil level or other maintenance neglect which LED to the catastrophic failure. Vehicle is out of warranty and is now scrap. Although failure is out of warranty, a complete vehicle failure at 90,000 miles is not normal or acceptable.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Engine · 55,000 miles · IN

While having the vehicle serviced at the dealership, they indicated the engine head gasket had a oil leak and needed to be replaced. Common problem.*ak it was discovered that the wrong oil filter was placed on the vehicle

Filed Jan 9, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · 50,000 miles · NC

Engine burns oil at approx. 1 qt per week, also has possible leaks in engine with only 69,000 miles on engine. Has had regular oil changes for life of engine. Brake rotors warped and need replacement, unsure of when last changed. Transmission slips and shifts hard with slow or fast acceleration.

Questions about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse engine

Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse have engine problems?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 81,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Mitsubishi Eclipse have bad engine?

The Mitsubishi Eclipse model years with the most engine complaints are 1995 (60 complaints), 1997 (41 complaints) and 1996 (26 complaints).

Other 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

Transmission 29Airbags 18Suspension 12Body 11Brakes 11Electrical 9Locks 8Acceleration 7Visibility 7Tires 6Fuel system 5Wheels 5Steering 4Seat belts 3Seats 3Lights 1

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