1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse most often describe transfer case problems, including sudden lockups and fluid leaks, along with recall repairs they say were refused or disputed. Where mileage is listed, these transfer case reports fall between 113,094 and 180,000 miles. Other complaints cover seat belt buckles, brake vibration and wear, and sudden throttle or power problems, and many of them were filed in the late 1990s.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transfer case lockup or fluid leaks

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 15.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2015

   Owners describe the transfer case locking up while driving, in some cases bringing the car to a sudden stop and requiring a tow. Other reports describe fluid leaking from underneath, shaking, or a loud noise followed by smoke, and an owner ties transfer case damage to low fluid. Some owners say the dealer inspected the car and found no leak before a later lockup, and another was told the transmission also needed replacement. Where mileage is listed, these reports fall between 113,094 and 180,000 miles, and most were filed between 2000 and 2003.

   Recall 98V069001

   What to check: Ask for records showing whether recall 98V069001, which covers transfer case lockup from insufficient lubrication, was completed. Check the transfer case for leaks and the fluid level, and listen for whining or shaking on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10150605, filed 2006-02, 113,094 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #865413, filed 2000-07
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Recall repairs refused or disputed at the dealer

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 147,000 mi at 15.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2015

   Owners describe being told that a recall was already completed, did not apply to their car, or was closed, even though symptoms continued. Most of these reports involve the transfer case recall, and a report says the dealer found no leak during an inspection. Another owner was told the car was not covered by a recall that the owner believed applied. Where mileage is listed, these reports fall between 113,094 and 180,000 miles, and many were filed years after the 1998 recall.

   Recall 98V069001

   What to check: Ask the seller for dated records showing whether recall 98V069001 was completed, since several owners were told it had already been done. Before buying, ask a dealer to check the recall status for the car's VIN and whether any leak was recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10097394, filed 2004-10, 152,000 miles

   “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. 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #882688, filed 2001-03
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Seat belt buckle and restraint problems

   • 12 complaints (22%)
   • typically at 4.9 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–1998

   Owners describe a driver's shoulder belt buckle that malfunctioned and would not protect the occupant. A report says the driver's belt did not lock in a crash, even though recall repair work had been done earlier. Another describes a child passenger slipping under the front right belt during a crash. A separate report says a seat belt recall repair was delayed because parts were unavailable, and the owner was not warned beforehand. Mileage is not listed in these reports, and they were filed between 1995 and 1998.

   Recall 95V103004

   What to check: Ask whether the front seat belt buckles were checked or replaced under recall 95V103004, which covers release buttons that can break and let pieces fall into the buckle. Check that each front buckle latches and releases smoothly before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata seat belt recall; didn't inform consumer about not having parts for several weeks prior to appointment; sun motors camphill, pa. Please describe details.”

   NHTSA complaint #977028, filed 1995-12

   “Consumer was involved in an accident and the driver side seat belt did not lock, consumer had repair work done under recall before accident (95v103004).”

   NHTSA complaint #984744, filed 1996-05
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake vibration, pad wear and caliper leaks

   Mentioned in 4 of 35 sampled complaints

   Owners describe pulsing or vibration when braking, which they link to warped rotors and rust. Other reports describe front pads wearing unusually fast, with a pad breaking loose and metal grinding. A report describes brake fluid leaking from the calipers, which the owner attributes to non-original parts installed by the dealer during an earlier repair. Mileage is not listed in these reports, and they were filed between 1996 and 1999.

   What to check: Ask whether the rotors, pads and calipers were inspected or replaced, and request records for any caliper work. On a test drive, check for pulsing or vibration when braking, and look for fluid around the calipers.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When first starting out at 20mph transmission would shift from one gear to another. Then would slow down & pick up speed. Gas pedal would stick. Happened after timing belt was replaced due to high idling. When brakes are applied they would pulsate. Interfering with braking ability due to rust & warping. Vehicle would vibrate at 55mph. Vehicle was unbalanced.”

   NHTSA complaint #850963, filed 1999-10

   “Replaced front left/rear calipers due to leaking brake fluid from pistons. Leak resulted from dealers installing non-Mitsubishi pars during repairs on the caqlipers.”

   NHTSA complaint #521355, filed 1997-09
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Throttle sticking, surging or sudden power loss

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 7.6 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners describe a gas pedal that stuck, with the engine held at high speed until the car was stopped with the parking brake. Other reports describe the engine surging and the car stopping at highway speeds, which an owner links to a computer failure. A separate report describes a timing belt failing on a hill, cutting all engine power, and the car being towed to the dealer. Mileage is not listed in these reports, and they were filed between 1995 and 1999.

   What to check: Ask for records of timing belt replacement, since a belt failure can remove all engine power. On a test drive, check that the throttle returns smoothly to idle and that the engine does not surge.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I step on the gas pedal all the way the throttle gets stuck at 2500rpm. I had to use my e brake to stop the car so I can get under the hood to turn the throttle cable back by hand.”

   NHTSA complaint #707835, filed 1999-06

Buying note. For this model year, ask for records showing the transfer case recall work was completed and check the transfer case for leaks before buying. Seat belt buckle, brake, and throttle issues also appear in the sample, so check those parts on a test drive and review the repair history.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 35 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.