1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mitsubishi › Eclipse › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
7 recalls name the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 amount of oil will be added. if there IS transfer case oil leakage, affected components will be replaced. if the transfer case shows operational degradation, the transfer case will be replaced.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
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 properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch IS securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button IS pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer IS developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Windshields would not prevent ejection of vehicleoccupants during a vehicle crash, which causes serious injuries and fatalities.
Remedy
Replace windshields, associated parts, and primer.
Operation of sunroof in "non-standard" manner may cause male hinge disengagement from the roof hinge receiver.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The sunroof glass could detach from the roof and result in injury to occupants or persons in the vicinity, especially if this occurs while the vehicle IS in motion.
Remedy
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Breakage of the wiring harness causes loss ofheadlamp illumination which could have a potential for an accident.
Remedy
Headlamp wiring harness routing will be modified and damaged wires repaired.
Owner complaints
46 complaints3 involved a crash4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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 vehicle just stops and shuts off. *kb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Consumer states that left headlight IS shorting out. Dealer notified.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.*yh
- Seat 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. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Consumer noticed large amount of fluid under vehicle. dealer repaired transfer case twice, but vehicle was still leaking. Dealrr refused to repair . Please provide further information.*ak
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
Whle parked noticed a large amount of fluid under vehicle. Dealer repaired transfer case seal twice,but vehicle still leaks. dealer refused to repair. Pleasse provide further information.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Transfer case lockups due to leakage of lubricants on this vehicle IS well documented. dealer was notified of gear noise at 69000 miles but owner was told transfer case was ok. at that time there was inspection on recall # c9803txx. transfer case now very noisey and vibrates.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Both rear brake calipers need to be replaced. calipers were previously replaced .*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving, bridgestone potenza right front tire p255/70r16 experienced tread separation, causing vehicle to shake. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Power train › Manual transmission · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system · Wheels › Rim
Transmission experienced slipping. *slc
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Power steering failed due to line corrosion, a clamp from the exhaust manifold to hold the power steering in place caused the corrosion due to the constant heating and cooling of the lines. *slc
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
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…
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 in clarksville tennesse.at this point in time when the wheels locked up the gearshift lever on my car jerked violently and the transmissiion explodeed.throughing me into a ditch along the side of the highway and slamming my chest into the steering wheel.i was mildly bruised on my upper body.when I called the dealer they got in touch with the mitsubishi company.misubitshi told me on the phone that their engineer said that this could not happen.and would not help me find a way to resolve this problem.my car has been broken since I took it for service forthe original complaint.i believe since the transfer case IS directly coupled to the transmission when it locked up it also locked up the transmission causing it to explode.mitsubitshi claimed this was not possible.i have the original parts at my house which can be inspected to confirm my beliefs and would be happy to turn them over to whomever IS nessecary to resolve this conflict before this happens to some one else I believe from the violence of the failure that this problem could be possibly life threating to any driver of such a vehicle and that this problem should be investigated.i have just recently found your address to report this or I would have done so along timme ago.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift · Steering › Rack and pinion
After returning the vehicle to a dealer becasue of a recall for a leaking transfer case, I was told that the rack and pinion assembly was leaking. they said this could result in a loss of steering, which IS just as serious as the transfer case problem. IS this a widespread defect? should this be fixed under a recall? the cost to repair it was estimated at about $1400 *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Consumer denied recall repair by dealership and charged for repair. mjs (98v-069)
- Unknown or other
No summary
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Vehcile was involved recall 98v069001, in which the remedy did not correct the problem. While driving on the highway the transfer case locked up, causing the wheels to lock up. please give any further details. *Ak
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle experienced failure of the tranfer case prior to recall notice, causing wheels to lock up. (Attorney for consumer) *yc
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Visual inspection of transfer case performed and no leak found. after visual inspection transfer case leaking and dealer refuses to do recall repair.
- Visibility › Windshield
Rear windshield cracked possibly due to temperature change.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
No summary
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle experienced failure of recall component (transfer case) prior to notice which caused extensive damage to the transmission components.
- Seat belts
Driver's automatic seat belt IS not working, especially when she turns on the ignition key. had contacted dealer for this matter. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's seat belt IS not working, especially when she turned on the ignition key. she had contacted dealer on the matter. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Vehicle IS experiencing the same problem that the 1990-1998 mitsubishi galant recall on transfer case; dealer notified and will not honor recall without cost to the consumer. *ak
- Power train › Axle assembly
When a recall for vehicle was received the repair work has already been done. Hence, while leaving garage after minor repairs had been completed, the steering wheel started vibrating back and forth at speed approximately 40mph and then reduced speed to approximately 25mph, made it home. while…
When a recall for vehicle was received the repair work has already been done. Hence, while leaving garage after minor repairs had been completed, the steering wheel started vibrating back and forth at speed approximately 40mph and then reduced speed to approximately 25mph, made it home. while transporting vehicle back to garage for inspection of problem at speed approximately 5-10mph, one block away from destination, the axle broke. dealer has not informed consumer of a recall on this component. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Transfer case leakage
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.
- Transfer case lockup
- Transfer case lockup
Alleged drivetrain failure that can lead to lock-up of the rear or all wheels.
- Takata seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10170852This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
- 10169006This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703This 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.
- 10130469This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 606596Information regarding cylinder head gaskets for remanufactured short blocks.
- 600571Information about improved automatic transaxle end clutch.
- 52060New valve lash adjuster noise checking and troubleshooting procedures.
- 50618Antenna tightening torque.
- 50607Manual transaxle shift quality synchronizer kits.
Every Mitsubishi Eclipse model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.