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 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it carries 4 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 | 18 | 29% |
| Seat belts | 13 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 11% |
| Suspension | 4 | 6% |
| Wheels | 3 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TRANSFER CASE IS DAMAGED DUE TO LACK OF FLUID. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI CONCERNING THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE DENIED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE RE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH, ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN DRIVABLE CONDITION AND WAS T
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
TRANSFER CASE RECALL - 98V069001 SAFETY RECALL WAS REFUSED ON THE CAR. TRANSFER CASE IS MAKING AN INCREDIBLE WHINING SOUND. LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND MITSUBISHI OFFICES SAID THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THE RECALL DUE TO THE RECA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE OWNER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN OUTSTANDING RECALL AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE SERVICE. THE OWNER LATER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS OVER DRIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT A
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RETRACTABLE SHOULDER HARNESS PROBLEM. AUTOMATED SEAT BELTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
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
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: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 A
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | 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 18 of them (29%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 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.