1991 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
140,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 36 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 13.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 4 |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 4; Suspension:Rear: 3; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 2; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10066845 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS OVER DRIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466826 · 2012-07-20 (July 20, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN) WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COU…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 977298 · 1996-01-03 (January 3, 1996)
FRONT BRAKE PAD BROKE LOOSE. CALIPERS AND PADS WEAR EXCESSIVELY W/METAL GRINDING. COMPANY WHERE VEHICLE PURCHASED QUESTIONS PADS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 725369 · 2000-07-13 (July 13, 2000)
COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY!! IF NOT FOR THE LOW SPEED, I'D BE DEAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725369 at NHTSA ↗