The consumer heard a loud noise and found large amounts of nuts and bolts rolling back and forth on both panels in the trunk. Both panels were replaced in the rear seat area. The engine stalled, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust badly. The chain bolt valve, timing cover, timing belt, timing chain/belt, the balance shaft bolt, and the front and rear struts were replaced. A new oil pan was placed in the vehicle. The vehicle idled abnormally and lost power. The vehicle needed a new battery, and a left front headlight assembly. There was a knocking issue when going over bumps. Mr scc

- Detroit , MI, USA

The transmission failed, the vehicle stalled when stopped, when in gear with the brake engaged, also upon acceleration, the power steering failed, the check engine light was intermittent, the vehicle had bucked when stopped in park, and had continued to idle erratically. Tsb # 18-04-96 scc

- Lancaster, OH, USA

While driving vehicle jerks and backfires. When driving off from a stop vehicle has no power. Took to dealer, and dealer indicated it was a leak in head gasket.

- Millville, NJ, USA

The crankshaft thrust bearing becomes severly worn due to a *known* design flaw in the oiling system (manufacturer is aware of the design flaw as evidenced by the tsb's sent to its dealers regarding the issue). This wear eventually causes excessive lateral play in the crankshaft which damages the crankshaft position sensor mounted externally to the engine block (this failure has been known to occur as early as 10,000 miles on the odometer or as late as 100,000 miles). This will, without warning, kill the engine. On an expressway doing 70mph, it's a difficult and dangerous task to negotiate 4 lanes of traffic doing half the posted speed limit in a car coasting on its own dead weight with no power-assisted brakes or steering (I've heard of more than one instance where the failure caused an engine fire). This problem only affects the *turbo* engine designated "Mitsubishi 4G63 2.0L turbo" in the Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi eclipse manufactured during and after the 1995 model year. I know of 3 other turbo Talon/eclipse owners in the Oklahoma city area alone that have had their car just* while driving. Some have had the problem "fixed" under warranty only to have the problem return after the warrenty had expired. The failure rate is pretty much 100% and *will* happen to *every* 4G63 equipped Talon and eclipse made during and after the 1995 model year eventually. Unfortunatly, the number of Talon's and eclipse's originally equipped with the optional turbo engine is a tenth the number equipped with the base model engine manufactured by daimler Chrysler which does not exhibit this problem. That, along with the unreported warrenty repairs, false accusations by dealers that owners have "neglected" their vehicles, and seemingly wide variation on the mileage that is accrued before the failure occurs has made it difficult to prove that this problem is widespread, is a design flaw, and poses a serious safety issue.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Mismatched sizes between crankshaft and ball bearings, enabling the crankshaft to move. The moving crankshaft destroyed the crank shaft sensor, and there is significant wear in the ball bearings. All three independent dealers I contacted regarding this problem deem it beyond normal wear--a defective part. Further research at the dsm car club (www.dsm.org) revealed that this is a common problem in Talon/eclipses, model years 1995-1998. This is a safety concern because the car engine will stop with no warning, leaving the driver without assisted steering. I contacted Chrysler, but they disavow any responsibility.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

During routine oil change mechanic found a oil leak on head gasket. Vehicle not repaired at this time.

- Salem, OR, USA

The cylinder head gasket was leaking on to the manifold and could have caused a fire if not taken care of. Estimate at the dealer was for approx. $1,000. Mechanic at a local garage said he has replaced many on this motor for Chrysler and Mitsubishi. Apparently Chrysler also has redesigned the gasket 3 times in order to correct the defect. I believe this should be a recall because of the danger of fire and the original design defect.

- Blasdell, NY, USA

Had to replace engine turbo-charger twice, headgasket once and engine blewout.

- Lithia Springs, GA, USA

"crank walk".

- Munster, IN, USA

I am writing this to you because my friend recently had a problem with his eclipse known as "crank walk" ever since the 2nd generation (95-99) turbo eclipse and Talons came out they have been with faulty crankshafts. The cranks eventually were out the thrust washer and shift to the point that it destoys the crank angle sensor, shutting off the motor. Mitsubishi is aware of the problem. Its their fault. The vehicles are bad from the factory but yet my friend has been denied a warranty claim because he made a few unrealted performance modifications. Please, I urge you to force Mitsubishi to recall the cars with these bad cranks before someone motor shuts off and an accident is caused. You know how bad mitz is with recalls as with the leaky transfer case. Please check this website. www.roadraceengineering.com/walkingcrankshaft.htm for other peoples expereiences with crankwalk failures. Although I have a 92 AWD Talon myself (with a leaking transfer case) I have witness three of my friends suffer crankwalk failures. Of them only one was able to get his dealer to cover them. Please investigate this before someone's car shuts off while they are driving and an accident is caused. All three of my friends escaped injury but who know when someone else wont be so lucky. Thank you.

- Tampa, FL, USA

I purchased a vehicle from a private party that ensured me the vehicle was mechanicly sound. I drove the vehicle for about 20 minutes and it shut down. I took the vehicle to a mechanic and found out the vehicle had bent valves. The repair estimate was too outstanding. I asked the seller if they would help in any way and they said "it is all your problem now." Is there any help to my situation?

- Athens, GA, USA

Crank sensor and timing belt failed.

- Lebanon, CT, USA

Engine cylinder head failure.

- Toledo, OH, USA

Engine block replaced due to broken rod.

- Arvada, CO, USA

Defective oil filter installed, causing engine to lock up/lose oil.

- Hudson, MA, USA