Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it carries 3 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 | 19 | 34% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 13% |
| Tires | 6 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL WAS LEAKING FRO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSHUBISHI ECLIPSE. AFTER VISITING THE NHTSA WEBSITE NOTICED RECALL#98V069001 WAS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALSO. THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, AND COOLING SYSTEM. **CC *NM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE STARTER IN THE CONSUMER'S 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE FAILED. *NM *SB *NM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FAILURE AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING DEFECTIVE PARTS (RECALL # 98V0069001). THE TIRE BELTS OF THREE TIRES BROK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE VEHICLES CRANK PULLEY SHAFT CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE VEHICLES STRAP LINK FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP TO BE INOPERATIVE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE RIMS BENT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AT HIGH SPEEDS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | 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 56 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 19 of them (34%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 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 70/100. 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.