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D20 · Coupe

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Common problems & what to know before you buy

Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Safety record

Recalls on the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Recall·09E012000

Exterior lighting

THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

Recall·06E065000

Exterior lighting

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Recall·90V106002

Visibility: windshield

DILUTED PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGES PRIOR TO WINDSHIELD GLASS INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE…

4 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.

Source: NHTSA

Owner complaints

What 62 owners reported

Power train28
Engine and engine cooling7
Seat belts7
Electrical system5

Source: NHTSA

Specifications

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse at a glance

Trims
BaseGSGS TurboGSX
Engine
1.8L 4-Cylinder, 2.0L 4-Cylinder, 2.0L 4-Cylinder Turbo
Transmission
Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
Drivetrain
FWD, AWD
Fuel
Gasoline
Body style
Coupe
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Owners have filed 62 complaints about the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse with NHTSA, most often about the power train. There are 7 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.

Is the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 7 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.

Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.

Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.