1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints2

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Air

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA95004 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 6

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT253 · Equipment · Nov 2019

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.

Bulletin TSB-19-00-008 · Equipment · Jul 2019

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT237 · Equipment · Feb 2018

This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.

Bulletin TSB-13-42A-002 · Structure · Jan 2013

INFORMATION REGARDING CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS FOR REMANUFACTURED SHORT BLOCKS. *TT

Bulletin TSB9911007 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 1999

ANTENNA TIGHTENING TORQUE. *TW

Bulletin TSB9654012 · Equipment · Dec 1996

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ECLIPSE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sport compact car which was manufactured and marketed by Mitsubishi over four generations in the 1990–2012 model years. A convertible body style was added during the 1996 model year.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse vehicles on record

1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse4A3CS44U5LE035908

1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse4A3AK3D22A0000153

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse model years

1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Across all 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, suspension, service brakes.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.