1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls 7
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Fix: 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 COMPONEN…
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.
Fix: 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 SU…
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.
Fix: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.
OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.
Fix: REPLACE MALE HINGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO INCREASE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER RETENTION ABILITY.
WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLAMPS MAY BREAK DUE TO THE STRESS CREATED BY THE HEADLAMP POP UP DEVICES.
Fix: HEADLAMP WIRING HARNESS ROUTING WILL BE MODIFIED AND DAMAGED WIRES REPAIRED.
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.
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 5
TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE Closed
THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), MITSUBISHI GALANT, ALLEGEDLY LEAKS OIL CAUSING ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCKUP; OR THE INABILITY TO TRANSMIT ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS. THE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AS THE ECLIPSE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ALLEGED DEFECT.
NHTSA #RQ98007 · Power Train · opened May 1998 · closed Aug 1998TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP Closed
NHTSA #EA98002 · Wheels · opened Jan 1998 · closed Apr 1998TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP Closed
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.
NHTSA #PE97040 · Wheels · opened Sep 1997 · closed Jan 1998TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA95004 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL Closed
NHTSA #PE94080 · Seat Belts · opened Nov 1994 · closed Mar 1995An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 10
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.
Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Bulletin TT267 · Apr 2022This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Bulletin TT253 · Equipment · Nov 2019This 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 2019This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Bulletin TT237 · Equipment · Feb 2018This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
Bulletin TSB-13-42A-002 · Structure · Jan 2013INFORMATION REGARDING CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS FOR REMANUFACTURED SHORT BLOCKS. *TT
Bulletin TSB9911007 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 1999INFORMATION ABOUT IMPROVED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE END CLUTCH. *TT
Bulletin TSB9723015 · Power Train · Dec 1997NEW VALVE LASH ADJUSTER NOISE CHECKING AND TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES. *JD
Bulletin TSB9711002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 1997ANTENNA TIGHTENING TORQUE. *TW
Bulletin TSB9654012 · Equipment · Dec 1996MANUAL TRANSAXLE SHIFT QUALITY SYNCHRONIZER KITS. *TW
Bulletin TSB9622003R · Power Train · Nov 1996Source: 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.