Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 28 | 45% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 11% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 6% |
| Visibility | 3 | 5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 SH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO ALSO LOCK WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH. AN NHTSA RECALL, #98V069001 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSI
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER STATES THAT LEFT HEADLIGHT IS SHORTING OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
HEADLAMP FAILURE DUE TO WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONING. CONSUMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON RECALL. *YH....*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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,
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 ASSOCIAT
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
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: WINDSHIELDS WOULD NOT PREVENT EJECTION OF VEHICLEOCCUPANTS DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES.
Fix: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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, T
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 28 of them (45%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.