1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 46 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (49% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The timing belt was on recall. However, the consumer was not notified of the recall. Consumer then found out about the recall, after the repair was made.*yh”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2002
“As I was driving down the road, the driver's door opened without reason. That caused the seatbelt assembly to retract and then, the seatbelt assembly hit me in the eye. This caused me to react and sent me off the road, down an embankment. I was injured resulting in the loss of my left arm. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2001
“While driving, bridgestone potenza right front tire p255/70r16 experienced tread separation, causing vehicle to shake. *slc”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“Transfer case lockups due to leakage of lubricants on this vehicle is well documented. Dealer was notified of gear noise at 69000 miles but owner was told transfer case was ok. At that time there was inspection on recall # c9803txx. Transfer case now very noisey and vibrates.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2000
“After returning the vehicle to a dealer becasue of a recall for a leaking transfer case, I was told that the rack and pinion assembly was leaking. They said this could result in a loss of steering, which is just as serious as the transfer case problem. Is this a widespread defect? Should this be fixed under a recall? The cost to repair it was estimated at about $1400 *ak”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2000
“Visual inspection of transfer case performed and no leak found. After visual inspection transfer case leaking and dealer refuses to do recall repair.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 1998
“Driver's seat belt is not working, especially when she turned on the ignition key. She had contacted dealer on the matter. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 1998
“Driver's automatic seat belt is not working, especially when she turns on the ignition key. Had contacted dealer for this matter. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 1998
“Power steering failed due to line corrosion, a clamp from the exhaust manifold to hold the power steering in place caused the corrosion due to the constant heating and cooling of the lines. *slc”Owner report · Steering · May 1998
“Vehicle experienced failure of recall component (transfer case) prior to notice which caused extensive damage to the transmission components.”Owner report · Power Train · May 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.
OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.
Remedy: REPLACE MALE HINGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO INCREASE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER RETENTION ABILITY.
DILUTED PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGES PRIOR TO WINDSHIELD GLASS INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.
Remedy: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLAMPS MAY BREAK DUE TO THE STRESS CREATED BY THE HEADLAMP POP UP DEVICES.
Remedy: HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS ROUTING WILL BE MODIFIED AND DAMAGED WIRES REPAIRED.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Eclipse by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The most complained-about area is power train (49% of complaints).
Does the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:buckle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.