1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Routine

Owners filed 54 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seat belts › front › buckle assembly. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly7
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift5
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000
Suspension › Rear3
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor2
000
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)2
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission2
000
Power Train2
010

4 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Feb 10, 2015147,000 milesFL

TRANSFER CASE IS DAMAGED DUE TO LACK OF FLUID. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI CONCERNING THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE DENIED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE REFERENCED RECALL, 98V168000, INCLUDED ALL MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX MODELS FROM 1990-1998. MY 1991 GSX WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. SEEKING ADVICE ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS RECALL. *TR

Power TrainFire
Filed Jul 20, 2012180,000 milesAK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN) WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 253,000.

Wheels
Filed Mar 29, 201097,000 milesGA

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH, ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN DRIVABLE CONDITION AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Feb 18, 2006113,094 milesVA

TRANSFER CASE RECALL - 98V069001 SAFETY RECALL WAS REFUSED ON THE CAR. TRANSFER CASE IS MAKING AN INCREDIBLE WHINING SOUND. LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND MITSUBISHI OFFICES SAID THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THE RECALL DUE TO THE RECALL ALREADY BEING PERFORMED, EVEN IF THE CAR WAS JUST INSPECTED AND NO CHANGES MADE. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 21, 2004152,000 milesTN

THE OWNER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN OUTSTANDING RECALL AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE SERVICE. THE OWNER LATER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE RECALL FOR THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY. THE OWNER IS TELLING THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE MANUFACTURER RESPONDED BY SAYING "DEAL WITH IT". PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 8, 2004TN

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS OVER DRIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Dec 19, 2003140,000 milesMN

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Nov 17, 2003128,000 milesWA

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RETRACTABLE SHOULDER HARNESS PROBLEM. AUTOMATED SEAT BELTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Aug 30, 2002TX

EXACT CAUSE OF BENT WHEEL UNKNOWN UNLESS IT WAS A SPEED BUMP I TOOK AT LOW SPEED. THE TIRE WENT FLAT OVERNIGHT AND I SAW THE DAMAGE THE NEXT MORNING.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Feb 15, 2002VA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A SLIDING STOP. OIL WAS EVERYWHERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATED THAT TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 11, 2001MI

I HAVE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK/FILL CAP MISSING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. UNKNOWN HOW LONG I DROVE WITHOUT DIP STICK EACH TIME. FIRST TIME I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PURGED, BUT DEALER STATED PLUG MUST HAVE WORN OUT. EACH TIME THE FLUID LEVEL BECAME VERY LOW. I BELIEVE AN INTERNAL PREASURE IS CAUSING THE PLUG TO BLOW OUT. I HAVE SINCE TIED A STRING TO THE PLUG SO THAT I WILL NOT LOSE THE PLUG. UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION DUE TO LOW FLUID OR DIRT CONTAMINATION.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Nov 5, 2001MD

VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN FROM RAMP AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 12, 2001TN

RECALL 98VO69001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR-98-002 WAS ISSUED FOR TRANSFER CASE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION & DIDNT HAVE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS LEAKING FLUID FROM TRANSFER CASE. DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT VEHICLE FOR TRANSFER CASE LEAK PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT TRANSFER CASE SERVING WAS PART OF WEAR AND TEAR WHILE THE CONSUMER STATES IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AT THE FACTORY AND IT IS THE DEALER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. *YH

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 21, 2001CA

TREAD WAS WEARING OUT EXCESSIVELY ON COOPER TIRES SIZE 185/70R13. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES OR VEHICLE BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 8, 2000AR

OIL SENDING UNIT WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE PEP BOYS IN NORTH LITTLE AR HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS TRYING TO REPAIR , IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH A RECALL COULD I PLEASE BE NOTIFIED. I HAVE RECEIVED NO INFO ON ANY RECALLS.THANK YOU.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Jul 14, 2000NY

IN 1998 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 98V069.001/ TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. THEY" INSPECTED " VEHICLE AND SAID THERE WAS NO LEAK, TWO YEARS LATER, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AND BOTH REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A RESULT OF DEALER NOT INSPECTING VEHICLE PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF RECALL, TWO YEARS AGO.*AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jul 13, 2000NJ

COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY!! IF NOT FOR THE LOW SPEED, I'D BE DEAD. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Apr 14, 2000NJ

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COULD START SHAKING WITHOUT WARNING AND LOSE CONTROL JUST LIKE IN RECALL 98V069000/ TRANSFER CASE. OWNER NOTICED LEAKAGE UNDER THE TRANSFER CASE. *AK *ML

Suspension
Filed Apr 12, 2000NJ

WHILE DRIVING/STOPPED AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND THERE WAS SOME LEAKAGE UNDER THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jan 22, 2000NC

THE REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING THE SWAY BAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

20 of 54 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
1991 — this page54420Routine
199046700Routine

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.