VehicleVerdict

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems

The 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 27 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 46% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

27

Transmission complaints

46%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

98V069001TransmissionMarch 26, 1998 · 24,275 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 4, 2000

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

NHTSA has 27 complaints about the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission — 46% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 98V069001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.