Two problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Similar to odi 10080649 but resulted in fire within engine bay which was quickly put out without damage to the interior. Threw a piston through the engine block. Vehicle only had 66k miles. Working car fire first reported via 911 in bridgewater NJ. Revised status was also called in but was responded to. State farm insurance will not cover the cost of engine even with full coverage including comprehensive. Car still at towed location.
After pulling off from a red light, shifting into second we heard a loud bang (like glass breaking). We pulled off the road. A mechanic happened to be traveling right behind us and stopped. The car had a trail of oil a foot wide and parts strewn all over the road. The mechanic looked under the car and said that it threw a pisten through the engine block and into the transmission. There were parts of the block, pisten, gears. . . . . . . . . . . Etc. That we picked-up off the road. I have them in a bag. The car is five years old (just paid for). It has approx 72,000 miles on it. This car is totally babied, with regular oil changes and not driven by a maniac teenager (I'm 36 years old and female). I can tell you I'll never buy another Mitsubishi even though I loved the car. The mechanic who stopped said he estimated 3-4 thousand dollars for repair. I haven't heard the actual estimate yet. What a shame, it seemed like such a solid car but I got 160,000 miles on my last car (a Ford mustang). I'm calling the dealership in the am but I'm no longer under warranty.