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Model year record

1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls & problems

The 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 4 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (21 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints54filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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.
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.
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0650003,593 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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.
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.
Power trainMar 26, 1998

Automatic transmission

Recall 98V06900124,275 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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, 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.
Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V103004658,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.
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 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Eclipse

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Eclipse

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Eclipse

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Eclipse

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Eclipse

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Eclipse

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 23 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Eclipse

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 22 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Eclipse

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 19 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift; Automatic transmission21010147,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor13102—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline8000—
SuspensionRear; Rear › Springs › Coil springs6201—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components › Disc › Pads5204—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables4000—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Storage › Tank assembly2010—
WheelsRim2000—
Electrical systemIgnition1000—
StructureBody1000—
SteeringRack and pinion1000—
TiresTread/belt1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations