1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Engine problems

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 *bf

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...

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...

Beginning 01/2005, while driving 60 mph, there was a loud noise and vehicle lost power. An independent mechanic repaired the crank pulley. A few months later, it broke again, and the same mechanic repaired the crank pulley at no cost. Finally, 10/2005, the crank pulley broke again. I had the vehicle towed to the same mechanic. He had a mitsubishi specialist to look at the problem and he said the specialist admitted that there are problems with the crank pulley bolt braking. That the only way, and least expensive way, to resolve the problem is to replace the motor which is cheaper than replacing the crank shaft. *Jb

While driving on hwy 126, when I took my foot off the gas pedal, the car continued to accelerate @ high rpm and would not decelerate. The only way to stop it was to turn off the engine. This is truly a safety issue ! The car is unable to move without towing it to the dealer.

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

In the summer of 2003 my clutch master cylinder started leaking so ireplaced it. Then in may of 2004 my clutch failed so I had it replaced with a stock clutch. Two months later the engine developed signs of "crankwalk", which happens to alot of 95-99 mitsubishi eclipses. I had it formally diagnosed with crankwalk and now I can no longer drive my car. I now have to replace my motor with a new one that will cost $3000 and it might end at the same fate. I have done alot of research and there are thousands who have had this happen but, mitsubishi will not issue a recall for their product. *Ak

Response to e-mail concerning the problem you experienced with a car dealership. *Bf the washer fluid light was on, the power antenna did not work, there was possibly a problem dealing with the crank seal, the brakes were not okay, the rotors were warped, the vehicle would shake when the brakes were applied, the check engine light had come on, and the hood was opened and there was an extreme amount of heat was coming from the engine compartment. *Sc

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. *Jb

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?*Ak

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...

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.*Ak

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

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.

While driving the vehicle lost power. The dealer stated that the sensor needed to be replaced. Ts there was an odor in the vehicle, the clutch had gone out, the rear brakes squeaked, and water leaked into the interior on the vehicle on the passenger side. The consumer felt that the dealer sold her an unsafe vehicle. Scc

Air conditioner froze up, snapping the belt, part of the belt went up into inside of timing cover and valve train and locked up other parts. Consumer feels this was very dangerous, could have had an accident. Please provide any further information.*Ak

I was sold this car as a mitsubishi, it has a chrysler engine one step up from a neon. If I would have wanted a neon by chrysler I would have purchased 2 for the price I paid for my eclipse. The lower bearings went out. I have extended warranty. At 68,000 miles the radiator cracked, computer and alternater went out causing my car to overheat immediately and the engine wouldn't restart until it had cooled. Was hard to restart. It had slick 50 treatments 4 times during its life. It also has had 3 faulty clutches. *Ak

Dealer replaced lifters at 34000 miles due to ticking, other consumers also complain about lifter tick. I have added mystery oil and prolong to oil and nothing seems to help.*Ak

Heard a loud sound from under the hood, bad belt that resulted in snapping while driving twice.

Tensioner bolt snapped in two immediately timing belt shredded, car died, and extensive damage requiring total engine rebuild. *Ak

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

When consumer started up vehicle white smoke came from uderneath vehicle, from exhaust pipe. Engine was replaced. But consumer had to take it back to dealer because there was a rattling noise. Noise came from exhaust pipe that was loose. Also, brakes rotors were warped. Every three months brakes needed to be replaced due to shaking. *Ak

Vehicle engine coolant leaks, dealer can't find problem,this is 7th repair in under 1 yr

After starting the vehicle and idling for three to four minutes, the engine surges up to 6000 rpms.