1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse was a compact sports car available in two trim levels: GS and GS-T. The GS came standard with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that produced 140 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. The GS-T received a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produced 170 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.

The Eclipse was praised for its sporty handling and stylish design. However, some owners reported issues with various components of the vehicle.

Engine

2.0L Naturally Aspirated Engine

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure: The intake manifold gasket can fail, causing vacuum leaks that result in decreased engine performance and poor fuel economy.
• Symptoms: Rough idle, hesitation during acceleration, reduced power
• Solution: Replace the intake manifold gasket
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
• Recalls: None Found

2.0L Turbocharged Engine

• Turbocharger Failure: The turbocharger can fail due to excessive heat or wear, resulting in a loss of boost pressure and reduced engine power.
• Symptoms: Reduced acceleration, loss of power, turbocharger noises
• Solution: Replace the turbocharger
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000
• Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Five-Speed Manual Transmission

• Synchro Mesh Issues: The synchronizers in the manual transmission can wear out over time, leading to difficulty shifting gears.
• Symptoms: Grinding noises when shifting, difficulty engaging gears
• Solution: Replace the synchronizers
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $800
• Recalls: None Found

Four-Speed Automatic Transmission

• Transmission Slipping: The automatic transmission may slip, resulting in poor acceleration and gear changes.
• Symptoms: Hesitation during acceleration, gears slipping out of place
• Solution: Replace or overhaul the transmission
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500
• Recalls: NHTSA Campaign ID 96V163000

Suspension

• Strut Mounts: The strut mounts can deteriorate over time, leading to excessive vibration and reduced handling.
• Symptoms: Noise when driving over bumps, poor handling
• Solution: Replace the strut mounts
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400
• Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Alternator Failure: The alternator can fail, resulting in a loss of charging power and potential battery drainage.
• Symptoms: Dimming headlights, electrical system malfunctions, battery discharge
• Solution: Replace the alternator
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
• Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Window Regulator Failure: The window regulators can fail, causing the windows to become stuck or inoperable.
• Symptoms: Windows not functioning properly
• Solution: Replace the window regulators
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $350 per window
• Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Door Handle Failure: The interior door handles can break or become loose, making it difficult to open the doors.
• Symptoms: Broken or loose door handles
• Solution: Replace the door handles
• Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200 per handle
• Recalls: None Found

Summary

Overall, the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse has several potential issues to be aware of, particularly with its engine, transmission, and suspension components. While some issues are relatively minor and inexpensive to fix, such as interior door handle failure, others can be more severe and costly, such as turbocharger failure or alternator failure. It is important for owners to be aware of these issues and to have regular maintenance and inspections performed to prevent or detect problems early on.