Mitsubishi F4A4x (F4A42 / F4A51)

Mitsubishi's transverse four-speed automatic — in the Eclipse, and in the Dodge Stratus, which is the connection worth making: Chrysler and Mitsubishi built cars together for two decades, and a Stratus JR is a Mitsubishi underneath.

So a Stratus owner's transmission literature is Mitsubishi's, not Chrysler's — and this gearbox has nothing to do with the Ultradrive that the same badge carries on other models. Two Dodges of the same year can have two entirely unrelated transmissions.

Its recurring failure is the solenoid pack and the valve body, presenting as a harsh or delayed engagement into drive and a flare on the 2–3 change. It arrives gradually and is usually blamed on the clutch packs, which at that stage are typically still serviceable.

Fluid is Mitsubishi's Diamond SP-III, not a Chrysler ATF+4 and not a generic Dexron. Filling one by the badge on the boot is the mistake this page exists to prevent.