2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 209 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,498miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 9% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,498 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11173039, filed 2019-01, 177,908 miles“Six months after I bought my used 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse gs I noticed it was sometimes hesitant to shift into second gear. I placed gear oil in my manual transmission that a certified Mitsubishi mechanic said would be okay. For two to four weeks it was fine. As I was driving to work, I am stopped a at red-light. When I proceed to go on green I attempt to shift from 1st to 2nd at about 3500-4000 r.p.m., I am unable to engage 2nd gear and have to shift immediately to 3rd. I have contacted my local Mitsubishi dealer service department and have been told that it is a bad synchro. …”
NHTSA complaint #10170110, filed 2006-10, 60,000 miles“I have a 2001 Eclipse gt (v6) and I have had to change the transmission twice already. I live in minot nd were it snows. The first time my transmission jacked on me I was stopped at a light. Their was snow on the ground so when the light changed to green my tires slid a like and the grab the payment as that happened I heard a big thump. My car felt like an axle mess up or the clutch. The car behind me almost hit me do to the lack of movement from my vehicle. I was not that for from me house so I drove it home but one block a way my tranny ended up blowing a hole in the bottom of the case. …”
NHTSA complaint #10152924, filed 2006-03, 82,000 miles“This is a Mitsubishi Eclipse 2001. This car has had several problems for the first 2 years. #1. Clutch fluid completly leaked out. Clutch slave cylinder was replaced. #2. Master brake cyliinder was leaking and replaced. #3. Pcm chip replaced. #4. Window mouldings for front and back winshields have come off.”
NHTSA complaint #10032985, filed 2003-08, 24,000 miles“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11493803, filed 2022-11Related recalls
- 01V011001Jan 16, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose was mis-manufactured and could weaken over time, which could result in…Covers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 2000–2001, Galant 1999–2001, Eclipse Spyder 2001
Related service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10021743May 1, 2007Reprogramming the pcm drivability or sensitivity issues can be corrected.
- 10017676Oct 1, 2005Clutch release bearing installation.
- 10016754Jul 1, 20052-3 SHIFT FLARE.
- 10014359May 1, 20042-3 SHIFT FLARE.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 6% |
| 2003 | 20 | 16% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 19 | 9% |
| 2000 | 17 | 6% |
| 1999 | 25 | 21% |
| 1998 | 28 | 22% |
| 1997 | 22 | 16% |
| 1996 | 16 | 10% |
| 1995 | 48 | 16% |
| 1994 | 10 | 29% |
| 1993 | 13 | 36% |
| 1992 | 21 | 43% |
| 1991 | 19 | 35% |
| 1990 | 25 | 54% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
73 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsTires
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology