RoadVitals

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
46
Latest Dec 17, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 46 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most frequently naming the transmission, tires & wheels and engine categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 9 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission1730.4%
  • Tires & wheels610.7%
  • Engine610.7%
  • Seat belts610.7%
  • Powertrain (other)47.1%
  • Interior & seats35.4%
  • Electrical35.4%
  • Steering35.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
06E065000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 17, 2006
3,593 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
AJ MOTORSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
98V069001

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Mar 26, 1998
24,275 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ98007ClosedRecall Query

TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE

Opened May 11, 1998
Closed Aug 28, 1998

THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), MITSUBISHI GALANT, ALLEGEDLY LEAKS OIL CAUSING ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCKUP; OR THE INABILITY TO TRANSMIT ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS.THE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AS THE ECLIPSE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ALLEGED DEFECT.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONLed to recall 98V168001
EA98002ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

Opened Jan 30, 1998
Closed Apr 30, 1998
WHEELSLed to recall 98V069001
PE97040ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

Opened Sep 4, 1997
Closed Jan 30, 1998

ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.

WHEELS
EA95004ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 1, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103004

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 46
Transmission
Filed Dec 17, 2007

1990 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT IT HAS BROKEN TWICE IN HIS VEHICLE. HE STATES THAT IF THIS BREAKS IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE JUST STOPS AND SHUTS OFF. *KB

NHTSA ID
10212784
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 29, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT LEFT HEADLIGHT IS SHORTING OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10031343
Incident
Jun 12, 2003
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 25, 2002

HEADLAMP FAILURE DUE TO WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONING. CONSUMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON RECALL. *YH....*AK

NHTSA ID
568047
Incident
Aug 22, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Jan 30, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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

NHTSA ID
757546
Incident
Mar 12, 2001
Transmission
Filed May 15, 2001

CONSUMER NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID UNDER VEHICLE. DEALER REPAIRED TRANSFER CASE TWICE, BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL LEAKING. DEALRR REFUSED TO REPAIR . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
888240
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2001

WHLE PARKED NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID UNDER VEHICLE. DEALER REPAIRED TRANSFER CASE SEAL TWICE,BUT VEHICLE STILL LEAKS. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR. PLEASSE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
888233
Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 2001

BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEED TO BE REPLACED. CALIPERS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED .*AK

NHTSA ID
883193
Incident
Mar 15, 2001
Transmission
Filed Mar 9, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
742177
Incident
Oct 15, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TT253

EQUIPMENT

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-19-00-008

EQUIPMENT

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

TT237

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-13-42A-002

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.

TSB9911007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INFORMATION REGARDING CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS FOR REMANUFACTURED SHORT BLOCKS. *TT

TSB9723015

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

INFORMATION ABOUT IMPROVED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE END CLUTCH. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Eclipse by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022000—
2021000—
2012800—
2011100—
2010100—
2009421048.0
2008711051.4
20071074058.5
2006994052.5
2005640—
2004145060.0
20031245053.5
2002734157.5
200120910464.0
200030810358.9
199912011053.0
199812913161.6
199713612162.1
199615911465.0
199530712465.3
1994344361.4
1993364357.0
1992493358.4
1991544461.9
1990Viewing467460.2
1989201—
1988001—
1987001—
1986001—
1971000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.