MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

▲ Better than typical
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:08.740Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
47
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

57% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 2 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1990 47 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 49 complaints 1993: 37 complaints 1994: 35 complaints 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 120 complaints 2000: 308 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2003: 124 complaints 2004: 14 complaints 2004 2005: 6 complaints 2006: 99 complaints 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 8 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1990 47 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 49 complaints 1993: 37 complaints 1993 1994: 35 complaints 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 129 complaints 1999: 120 complaints 1999 2000: 308 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2003: 124 complaints 2003 2004: 14 complaints 2005: 6 complaints 2005 2006: 99 complaints 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 8 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1990 47 1991: 55 complaints 1991 1992: 49 complaints 1992 1993: 37 complaints 1993 1994: 35 complaints 1994 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 120 complaints 1999 2000: 308 complaints 2000 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2002 2003: 124 complaints 2003 2004: 14 complaints 2004 2005: 6 complaints 2005 2006: 99 complaints 2006 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2008 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 8 complaints 2012

1990: 47 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19870
19880
19892
199047
199155
199249
199337
199435
1995307
1996159
1997136
1998129
1999120
2000308
2001209
200273
2003124
200414
20056
200699
2007107
200871
200942
20101
20111
20128

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

57% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing column shift and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

INJURY

Seat belts

15% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing rear/other and webbing.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer was making right turn into intersection when her vehicle was struck on the driver's side. After medical team arrived consumer unsnapped waist belt but did not remember removing shoulder belt.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-04-14

Seatbelts failed to restrain driver during accident, causing injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1990-02-10

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Show complaint excerpts

Headlamp failure due to wiring harness malfunctioning. Consumer was seeking reimbursement since the headlights were on recall. *yh....

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-13

Also filed under Electrical system and exterior lighting

Electrical system

11% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.

Steering

6% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hose, piping, and connections.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1989-09-19Electrical system89V128000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1990-04-30Visibility90V056002 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1990-07-24Visibility90V106002 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1995-03-10Engineering analysisClosed 1995-08-01 Takata seat belt buckle failure
  5. R
    1995-11-01Seat belts95V103004 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1997-09-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-01-30 Transfer case lockup
  7. I
    1998-01-30Engineering analysisClosed 1998-04-30 Transfer case lockup
  8. R
    1998-04-20Power train98V069001 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    1998-05-11Recall queryClosed 1998-08-28 Transfer case leakage
  10. R
    2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V128000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 90V056002 · Visibility
  • Recall 90V106002 · Visibility
  • Recall 95V103004 · Seat belts
  • Recall 98V069001 · Power train
  • Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 57% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.