Model year record

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 59 owner complaints on file.

Mitsubishi Eclipse, 1990–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1990–1994 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V069001

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
24,275
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-26
Owners notified
1998-04-20

Defect description

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

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V103004

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
658,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-24
Owners notified
1995-11-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V106002

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
26
Reported to NHTSA
1990-06-01
Owners notified
1990-07-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V056002

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Component
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
367
Reported to NHTSA
1990-03-21
Owners notified
1990-04-30

Defect description

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

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V128000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
DIAMOND-STAR MOTORS
Vehicles affected
5,510
Reported to NHTSA
1989-07-31
Owners notified
1989-09-19

Defect description

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

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift13—
Engine and engine cooling: engine5—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)5—
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft2—
Seat belts2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Unknown or other1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1989 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse model years

All Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.