- The problem
- 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 the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (25) and the seats & seat belts (8). Those complaints describe 3 crashes and 5 injuries. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in April 2009 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 1989 has 2 and the 1991 has 57.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Eclipse year, for its age
#33 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 49
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Share of all 49 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
- The 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
- The risk
- This condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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, 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 problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
- The 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 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Windshields would not prevent ejection of vehicleoccupants during a vehicle crash, which causes serious injuries and fatalities.
- The fix
- Replace windshields, associated parts, and primer.
- The problem
- Operation of sunroof in "non-standard" manner may cause male hinge disengagement from the roof hinge receiver.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Replace male hinge with a modified version to increase roof hinge receiver retention ability.
- The problem
- Wiring harness for the headlamps may break due to the stress created by the headlamp pop up devices.
- The risk
- Breakage of the wiring harness causes loss ofheadlamp illumination which could have a potential for an accident.
- The fix
- Headlamp wiring harness routing will be modified and damaged wires repaired.
What owners say
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49 complaints about the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
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
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 transmission however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall.
Consumer states that left headlight is shorting out. Dealer notified.*Ak
Headlamp failure due to wiring harness malfunctioning. Consumer was seeking reimbursement since the headlights were on recall. *Yh....*Ak
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
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
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
Both rear brake calipers need to be replaced. Calipers were previously replaced .*Ak
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
While driving, bridgestone potenza right front tire p255/70r16 experienced tread separation, causing vehicle to shake. *Slc
Aluminum sport rims were replaced due to severe corrosion and pitting. *Slc
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
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...
Read the full complaint
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 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
Driver's automatic seat belt is not working, especially when she turns on the ignition key. Had contacted dealer for this matter. *Ak
Driver's seat belt is not working, especially when she turned on the ignition key. She had contacted dealer on the matter. *Ak
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
Vehicle experienced failure of recall component (transfer case) prior to notice which caused extensive damage to the transmission components.
Mitsubishi Eclipse: every year compared
All Eclipse years1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse | 49 | 7 | C | |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage | 35 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Montero | 23 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Galant | 21 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Mighty Max | 7 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Precis | 3 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Van/Wagon | 3 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Sigma | 2 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Mitsubishi Pickup | 1 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Does the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse: exterior lighting (April 2009); exterior lighting (July 2006); automatic transmission (March 1998); buckle assembly (May 1995) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (25), seats & seat belts (8), engine & cooling (5).
How many complaints has the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse had?
49 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 10, 1990 and the latest on December 17, 2007. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 56 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mitsubishi Eclipse year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse years have the most complaints?
1995 (314), 2000 (308), 2001 (300). See every Mitsubishi Eclipse year compared.
What should I do if my 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data