VehicleVerdict

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems

The 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 21 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

21

Transmission complaints

7%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

01V011001TransmissionJanuary 16, 2001 · 277,227 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

What owners report

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 38 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE, AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. VEHICLE CRASHED, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SON SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION /…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 27, 2001 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 01V011001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.