1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

▲ Better than typical

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:43:32.217Z

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 PER YEAR

1990: 46 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1986	0
1987	0
1988	0
1989	2
1990	46
1991	54
1992	49
1993	36
1994	34
1995	307
1996	159
1997	136
1998	129
1999	120
2000	308
2001	209
2002	73
2003	124
2004	14
2005	6
2006	99
2007	107
2008	71
2009	42
2010	1
2011	1
2012	8

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 28%

28% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20021113

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

SEAT BELTS 4%

4% of complaints: seat belts — 2 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19890919 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 89V128000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19900430 — visibility

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.

Campaign 90V056002 — check if this car was fixed

R 19900724 — visibility

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.

Campaign 90V106002 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950310 — EA (closed 19950801)

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

R 19951101 — seat belts

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

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 A

Campaign 95V103004 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970904 — PE (closed 19980130)

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

I 19980130 — EA (closed 19980430)

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

R 19980420 — power train

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, T

Campaign 98V069001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980511 — RQ (closed 19980828)

TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

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 RE

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.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for power train issues (13 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 89V128000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 90V056002 (visibility) has been completed.
Verify recall 90V106002 (visibility) has been completed.
Verify recall 95V103004 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V069001 (power train) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1993 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2000 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

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:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.