Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | 49,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% | 110,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% | 133,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 6% | 20,000 miles |
| 2003 | 20 | 16% | 19,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% | 135,000 miles |
| 2001 | 19 | 9% | 71,000 miles |
| 2000 | 17 | 6% | 51,000 miles |
| 1999 | 25 | 21% | 84,000 miles |
| 1998 | 28 | 22% | 68,000 miles |
| 1997 | 22 | 16% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 16 | 10% | 89,000 miles |
| 1995 | 48 | 16% | 132,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse spun 3 main bearings, has a worn clutch at 28,000 miles. I have never replaced the clutch in my '88 Mazda, which currently has 190,000 miles on it or any of the previous manual transmission vehicles I have owned. Mitsubishi reps denied the warranty due to aftermarket part (cold air intake) the clutch being worn and from what they claim as "spirited driving." I did not pay $30,000 for a car to take out and drive it like a maniac. This is a car that I take very good care of and change oil every 3,000 miles religiously, and have it serviced regularly. I had a dispute hearing on this matter and that was a joke, you better have someone to go with you that has in-depth knowledge of engines and cold air intakes. …
4 months ago I had the slave cylinder leak onto my clutch causing the clutch to go out, they replaced it basically told me I have a new clutch. So recently I've been getting on the freeway in 5th 6th gear and the car is revving but not going, so I went back to the same dealer told them what's up and without even diagnosing the problem said I need a new clutch, I then reminded them I just had it replaced 4 months ago they tried to say it was for something else when in fact I remember him clearly saying you got a brand new clutch. Anyway I asked how much to fix it he said $1,400.00 I then asked is it normal to have it go out so soon but he is still trying to convince me they just replaced the bearings on the clutch. Then asked if I drive it hard. Well I never race it I drive to and from work that's about it, oh and the car only has 16500 miles on it. …
My clutch had to be replaced at only 14,500 miles. Problems were evident at around 10,000 miles and became considerably worse in time. I have driven a manual transmission for 15 years and have never raced and did not ride the clutch. My last car's clutch lasted in excess of 100,000 miles without fault. The service manager at my dealership told me that it appears to be a factory defect. However, since the warranty on the clutch expires at 12,000 miles, I have to pay for the part. The problem became obvious when my transmission spun as I tried to go from a stop up a hill. My car basically became stuck in traffic on a dangerous section of roadway and it was luck that I was not involved in a side-impact collision. If this had happened on a railroad track or a drawbridge, I see this problem as potentially life-threatening. …
I have only had the car for a little over a year. I have absolutely loved the car besides having to take it in within like 3 months to replace a deffective transmission. I have am a person that have been in many close accident calls throughout my life so I am not a person who takes the car to the limit whatsoever. I have had defective cars all my life. My first car I was in a near death call in my first accident when a man in a rush decided to try to pass me while I was doing a u-turn. My second I bought for $4000 and put over 2K in it trying to get it fixed and running. My third car I bought was a Toyota camry. It was a great car but also had to put $1,500 into a car I bought for only lik 5K, when the manufacturer told me that they couldnt fix the problem and I had wasted every dime I had on this car. My last and present car is my 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse gt. …
Dt: started having problems shifting and started hearing a noise sounding like metal spinning. Was told by two dealers that the noise was normal. He has had the reverse synchros, pressure plate and clutch replaced. Work done at dealer where he bought it. Was told by manufacturer that they will research the problem. In late feburary came to stop when he went ot take off he heard loud metal clanking noises and shearing noises. Parked it then. His dealer went out of business and had to take the car to another dealer who said it was the input shaft and input shaft seal. Was told onriginally it was a manufacturers defect. Now the dealer is saying it is not a manufacturers defect. The defective input shaft and input shaft seal has totally distroyed the transmission. The warranty company is saying it is owner fault and all they will pay for is th input shaft and input shaft seal.
Clutch feels sluggish in 2nd- 5th gear, like almost a slip. Only have 27K miles on it and I don't abuse my car in anyway. A few other of my friends experience the same problems with their Mitsubishi eclipses.
I almost got into a accident because it's late sobits really hard to see because the headlights u cnt see any at all at night I can use a flash light out the window and see better like that but on top of that my car just decides to up and stall on me and not wanna start back and it had melted my crankshaft sensor wires and I guess it just decided to also mess up the wiring on my camshaft sensor I literally had to wire up the wires straight around the plug on both just to make it home it was cold out and all I really love my car but I'm spending more money than I've got just tryna keep it running and between that and the lights that's gonna get sum1 hurt or killed if not fixed I was on a backroad had no service to call anybody for help and I was right between 2 blind turns
Was driving home from work and came to a stop. Tried to shift into 1st and could not do so. Had to turn off my car to shift into gear to avoid grinding. Had a hard time going from 1st to 2nd as well. Once arriving home could not shift into reverse. Seems like the gears were trying to strip and a horrible grinding was occurring. I have been driving a stick shift for almost 30 years and this is the first time I have ever had this problem. Had to turn off my car to shift into reverse to get into my driveway to park. Tried the next day to drive my car...did the warm up due to cold weather, and again could not shift into any gears while my car was running. As soon as I turn the ignition off I could shift just fine. I've researched to try and figure out the problem and each solution equates to paying a lot for repairs. …
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the key lock cable was improperly manufactured and May not allow the cable end to lock into the floor shifter mechanism. This can result in the interlock system to become inoperative and allow the ignition key to be removed without the gearshift mechanism being placed…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ignition interlock cable and replace it if necessary. The recall began on November 20, 2006. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose was mis-manufactured and could weaken over time, which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hose assembly for the automatic transmission oil cooler. Owner notification mailing will be phased over a five-month period starting March 26, through July 23, 2001.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for adequacy of the transfer case oil volume, transfer case oil leakage, and operational degradation of the transfer case mechanism.
NHTSA investigations
Transfer case leakage
The transfer case of the all wheel drive (AWD), Mitsubishi galant, allegedly leaks oil causing one or more wheels to lockup; or the inability to transmit engine power to the drive wheels.the vehicles have the same transfer case design as the eclipse vehicles which have been recalled for the same alleged defect.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (48), 1998 (28), 1999 (25), 1997 (22) and 2003 (20) model years. Transmission complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 06V-414 (automatic transmission, Oct 31, 2006); 01V011001 (cooling unit and lines, Jan 16, 2001); 98V069001 (automatic transmission, Mar 26, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (64 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (46).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.