MitsubishiEclipse20063.8L/mitsubishi/eclipse/2006/3-8l/

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Eclipse 3.8L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse 3.8L is a passenger car equipped with a 3.8‑liter engine, a five‑speed automatic transmission, a 4.5‑quart oil capacity that calls for 5W‑20 or 10W‑30 API grades, and EPA ratings of 17 city, 26 highway and 20 combined mpg. Owner data records 99 total complaints, the most frequent of which involve service brakes, and four recalls were issued for this model year. Across the 1990‑2012 history the Eclipse peaked at 392 complaints in 1995 and hit a low of just one in 2011, situating the 2006 version well below the worst years but above the cleanest. That placement indicates the 2006 Eclipse occupies a middle ground in reliability — generally dependable yet still deserving attention to brake maintenance.

Model year2012201120102009200820072006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/26/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072 alt MZ690116
Engine air filterMR571396
Fuel filter1770A122
Spark plug1822A002 alt MN158596
Front wiper blades8250A098 alt 8250A536
Serpentine beltMN187016 alt MN187015
ThermostatMD315301 alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight3274 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 26 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

5.9–6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.90 sec — 2006 GT V6 Coupe
263 hpHorsepower (as tested)
260 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V65.90 sec14.20 sec263 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V66.00 sec14.60 sec263 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V66.10 sec14.50 sec263 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V66.10 sec14.60 sec263 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V66.70 sec15.00 sec263 hpFWD
2007Spyder GT V6 3.8L V66.00 sec14.60 sec262 hpFWD
2007Spyder GT V6 3.8L V66.70 sec14.80 sec262 hpFWD
2007Spyder GT V6 3.8L V66.70 sec15.30 sec262 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.9
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-80 · GL-3
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.7

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts136 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Main Bearings54 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.0 L
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance28
Engine Compression161
Engine Oil Pressure4.2 psi @ Idle, 42-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25-31 ft-lbs / 28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle67-81 ft-lbs / 42-48 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0039 in / 0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.023 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.023 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.96 in / 0.33 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9420 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
180 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts.
380

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse recorded 99 complaints, 4 recalls, and 62 TSBs. This represents a sharp increase in consumer complaints compared to the 2004 and 2005 models, which saw only 14 and 6 complaints respectively. Within the broader generation, the 2006 model marks the start of a new upward trend in complaints that peaked in 2007, following a period of relative stability. The most frequent issues for 2006 were related to service brakes (50 complaints) and hydraulic brakes (12 complaints), though the data does not specify the root cause of these failures. While recalls remained consistent with the years immediately surrounding it, the spike in reported issues is notable. Given the significant jump in brake-related complaints compared to the preceding two years, this is not a recommended year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
62
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
99
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 99 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes50
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Power Train5
Structure4
Air Bags4
Tires4
Air Bags,Service Brakes3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Service Brakes2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V247000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 02/06/2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON MAY 24, 2005, TO STOP DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE…

05V299000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master CylinderReported 27/06/2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF FOUR SEALS INSIDE THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY UNEXPECTEDLY BY-PASS HYDRAULIC BRAKING FORCE PRESSURE AND ALLOW A… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 62 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-0012023-04-24EquipmentThis Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…
DEALER LETTER2023-04-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-22-54-0032022-04-07Exterior LightingThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Eclipse. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Eclipse 3.8L take?

4.5 qt of BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-20 SM API, ABOVE 0 degreesF 10W-30 SM API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Eclipse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.