1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 25 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and seat belts (6). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling6 13%
- Seat belts6 13%
- Electrical system5 11%
- Steering3 6.5%
- Equipment2 4.3%
- Exterior lighting2 4.3%
- Brakes1 2.2%
- Other or unknown1 2.2%
Also reported: Seats (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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…”
NHTSA complaint #732010, filed 2000-09Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #568047, filed 2002-10Seat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #757546, filed 2002-01Electrical system: “Timing belt failed at 40000 when it's supposed to last for 60000 miles and caused major damage to the engine, consumer is requesting dealer to pay for a replacement engine.”
NHTSA complaint #555682, filed 2000-10Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse · coupe | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Eclipse FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Eclipse FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Eclipse FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Eclipse 4WD/AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 23 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V069001Mar 26, 1998Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 1990–1998
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
- 95V103004May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 1990–1991, Mighty MAX 1986–1991, Montero 1986–1991 +7 more
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.
- 90V106002Jun 1, 1990Visibility › WindshieldCovers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 1990
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.
- 90V056002Mar 21, 1990Visibility › Sun/moon roof assemblyCovers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 1990
Operation of sunroof in "non-standard" manner may cause male hinge disengagement from the roof hinge receiver.
- 89V128000Jul 31, 1989Electrical system › WiringCovers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 1990, Plymouth Laser 1990
Wiring harness for the headlamps may break due to the stress created by the headlamp pop up devices.
Recall details for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- RQ98007Transfer case leakageClosed · May 11, 1998
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10169006Nov 26, 2019Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703Jul 30, 2019Equipment. This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10130469Feb 26, 2018Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013Body and structure. This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 8 | 86,000 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 42 | 67,035 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 71 | 71,937 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2007 | 107 | 78,540 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 99 | 72,250 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 6 | 61,000 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 14 | 38,000 | 4 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 124 | 36,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 73 | 45,593 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 209 | 51,122 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 308 | 70,000 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 120 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 129 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 136 | 97,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 159 | 89,200 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 307 | 116,000 | 5 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 34 | 15,500 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 36 | 137,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 49 | 68,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 54 | 140,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 46 | — | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mitsubishi Eclipse model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 25 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.
Has the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse (Eclipse, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.