RecallMyCar

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
46
owner complaints to NHTSA
3 / 0
complaints citing a crash / fire
20–24
MPG combined (EPA)

5 safety recalls for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 98V069001 Reported 24,275 vehicles potentially affected MITSUBISHI AMERICA

    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, the appropriate…

  2. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 95V103004 Reported 658,000 vehicles potentially affected MITSUBISHI AMERICA

    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.

    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…

  3. Windshield (visibility)

    NHTSA 90V106002 Reported 26 vehicles potentially affected MITSUBISHI AMERICA

    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.

  4. Sun/moon roof assembly (visibility)

    NHTSA 90V056002 Reported 367 vehicles potentially affected MITSUBISHI AMERICA

    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.

  5. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 89V128000 Reported 5,510 vehicles potentially affected DIAMOND-STAR MOTORS

    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.

46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash. Reports cite 4 injuries and 0 deaths. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 13 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 vehic”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 17, 2007 · Power train

“Consumer states that left headlight is shorting out. Dealer notified.*ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 29, 2003 · Exterior lighting

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined20–24 mpg
City / Highway18–21 / 23–29
FuelPremium, Regular
EPA classSubcompact Cars
Engine4 cyl, 1.8/2 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Mitsubishi Eclipse model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Mitsubishi Eclipse model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse02
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse546
1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse254
1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse149
1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse136
1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse134
1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse5307
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse4159
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse3136
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse4129
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse2120
2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse7308
2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse7209
2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse273
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse3124
2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse414
2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse36
2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse499
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse4107
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse171
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse142
2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse01
2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse01
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse08

Checking a specific 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

How do I know if my 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mitsubishi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 89V128000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Mitsubishi models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.