1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Routine

Owners filed 46 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission › lever and linkage › column shift. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift11
000
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)5
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
001
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000
Seat Belts2
102
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft2
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash2
000
Wheels › Rim1
000
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear1
100

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

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.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission98V069001
Filed Mar 26, 199824,275 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly95V103004
Filed May 24, 1995658,000 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. 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.

Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Visibility › Windshield90V106002
Filed Jun 1, 199026 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. 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.

Risk. WINDSHIELDS WOULD NOT PREVENT EJECTION OF VEHICLEOCCUPANTS DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES.

Remedy. REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly90V056002
Filed Mar 21, 1990367 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.

Risk. THE SUNROOF GLASS COULD DETACH FROM THE ROOF AND RESULT IN INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR PERSONS IN THE VICINITY, ESPECIALLY IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Remedy. REPLACE MALE HINGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO INCREASE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER RETENTION ABILITY.

Electrical System › Wiring89V128000
Filed Jul 31, 19895,510 vehiclesDiamond-Star Motors

Defect. WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLAMPS MAY BREAK DUE TO THE STRESS CREATED BY THE HEADLAMP POP UP DEVICES.

Risk. BREAKAGE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSES LOSS OFHEADLAMP ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD HAVE A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS ROUTING WILL BE MODIFIED AND DAMAGED WIRES REPAIRED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 17, 2007CA

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

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Jul 29, 2003NC

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

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 25, 2002CA

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

Seat BeltsCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 30, 2002OR

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

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal
Filed May 15, 2001NY

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed May 15, 2001NJ

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Mar 15, 2001CO

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Mar 9, 2001GA

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

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 18, 2001OK

WHILE DRIVING, BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RIGHT FRONT TIRE P255/70R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *SLC

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Oct 2, 2000MI

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

Wheels › Rim
Filed Oct 2, 2000MI

ALUMINUM SPORT RIMS WERE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION AND PITTING. *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission1 injured
Filed Sep 20, 2000IN

AFTER MAKING A COMPLAINT OF NOISE IN MY DRIVETRAIN AND THEN HAVING THE TRANSMISSION AND TRASFER CASE SERVICED AT A MITSUBISHI DEALER WHO LATER TOLD ME THAT THIER MECHANICS WERE NOT FACTORY CERTIFIED AND WAS TOLD AFTER MY CAR DEVELOPED A PROBLEM THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED ONE HUNDRED MILES TO GREENWOOD INDIANA WERE THEY HAD A FACTORY CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO INSPECT MY CAR MY TRASFER CASE ON MY CAR FAILED TWICE ON FIRST FAILURE THE CASE WAS REPLACED ON THE SECOND FAIURE THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 150 MILES FROM WERE I HAD IT SERVICED AT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP IN CLARKSVILLE TENNESSE.AT THIS POINT IN TIME WHEN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP THE GEARSHIFT LEVER ON MY CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE TRANSMISSIION EXPLODEED.THROUGHING ME INTO A DITCH ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SLAMMING MY CHEST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL.I WAS MILDLY BRUISED ON MY UPPER BODY.WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE MITSUBISHI COMPANY.MISUBITSHI TOLD ME ON THE PHONE THAT THEIR ENGINEER SAID THAT THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN.AND WOULD NOT HELP ME FIND A WAY TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.MY CAR HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE FORTHE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT.I BELIEVE SINCE THE TRANSFER CASE IS DIRECTLY COUPLED TO THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT LOCKED UP IT ALSO LOCKED UP THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE.MITSUBITSHI CLAIMED THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE.I HAVE THE ORIGINAL PARTS AT MY HOUSE WHICH CAN BE INSPECTED TO CONFIRM MY BELIEFS AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO TURN THEM OVER TO WHOMEV

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 14, 2000CA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Dec 7, 1999CA

CONSUMER DENIED RECALL REPAIR BY DEALERSHIP AND CHARGED FOR REPAIR. MJS (98V-069)

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 30, 1999CA

NO SUMMARY

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Jul 23, 1999PA

VEHCILE WAS INVOLVED RECALL 98V069001, IN WHICH THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Apr 7, 1999CO

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE TRANFER CASE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *YC

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Mar 18, 1999CA

VISUAL INSPECTION OF TRANSFER CASE PERFORMED AND NO LEAK FOUND. AFTER VISUAL INSPECTION TRANSFER CASE LEAKING AND DEALER REFUSES TO DO RECALL REPAIR.

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Mar 2, 1999NY

REAR WINDSHIELD CRACKED POSSIBLY DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 13, 1999IN

NO SUMMARY

20 of 46 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20128000Routine
20111000Routine
20101000Routine
200942100Routine
200871100Routine
2007107411Fatalities reported
200699400Routine
20056420Routine
200414510Routine
2003124540Routine
200273440Routine
20012091062Fatalities reported
20003081064Fatalities reported
19991201130Routine
19981291350Routine
19971361261Fatalities reported
19961591150Routine
19953071292Fatalities reported
199434410Routine
199336410Routine
199249311Fatalities reported
199154420Routine
1990 — this page46700Routine

Compare every Eclipse year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.