IllustrationPOWER 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
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 49.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Eclipse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 46 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
46 reportsAFTER 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 TH…
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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
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 COS…
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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
CONSUMER DENIED RECALL REPAIR BY DEALERSHIP AND CHARGED FOR REPAIR. MJS (98V-069)
NO SUMMARY
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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE TRANFER CASE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *YC
VISUAL INSPECTION OF TRANSFER CASE PERFORMED AND NO LEAK FOUND. AFTER VISUAL INSPECTION TRANSFER CASE LEAKING AND DEALER REFUSES TO DO RECALL REPAIR.
REAR WINDSHIELD CRACKED POSSIBLY DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGE.
NO SUMMARY
Official recalls
598V069001 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Mar 26, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
95V103004 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
May 24, 1995
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
90V106002 · Visibility:windshield
Jun 1, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WINDSHIELDS WOULD NOT PREVENT EJECTION OF VEHICLEOCCUPANTS DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES.
Remedy: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.
90V056002 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Mar 21, 1990
OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
89V128000 · Electrical System:wiring
Jul 31, 1989
WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLAMPS MAY BREAK DUE TO THE STRESS CREATED BY THE HEADLAMP POP UP DEVICES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4RQ98007 · Transfer Case Leakage
Opened May 11, 1998 · Closed Aug 28, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
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.
EA98002 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Jan 30, 1998 · Closed Apr 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
No summary supplied.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
Wheels
PE97040 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Sep 4, 1997 · Closed Jan 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.
EA95004 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 1, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available