MitsubishiPrecis1990Overview/mitsubishi/precis/1990/base/

1990 Mitsubishi Precis

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Precis.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1990 Mitsubishi Precis is a compact passenger car built on Mitsubishi’s mid‑size platform and equipped with a four‑speed automatic transmission that pairs with an engine requiring 3.2 qt of oil at viscosities ranging from 20W‑40 to 5W‑30. Its EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined reflect the modest efficiency typical of early‑1990s Japanese sedans. Reliability data show a relatively low total of seven owner complaints, concentrated in the power‑train area, and two recalls, with the model’s complaint record spanning 1990‑1994 and a notable dip to just one complaint in 1992. Consequently, the 1990 Precis sits toward the more dependable end of its early‑generation run, indicating a solid baseline for researchers assessing durability within this era.

Model year19941993199219911990198919881987

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/29/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 2630035500. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter2630035500
Spark plugMS851238

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 29 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume85 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.2 qt of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.2 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 52,500 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · Oxygen Sensor (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1990 Mitsubishi Precis recorded 7 complaints and 2 recalls, with the majority of complaints (5) concentrated in the power train. This year marks the start of a generation where complaints spiked to 15 in 1991 before dropping sharply to 1 in 1992 and remaining low thereafter, while recalls and investigations were more frequent in 1990–1991 than in later years. The data does not specify root causes, but the pattern suggests that early production years, including 1990, experienced more issues that were largely resolved by 1992. Given the elevated complaint volume and the highest recall count in this generation, a 1990 model carries a higher risk of unresolved power train problems compared to the more reliable 1992–1994 models.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Power Train5
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

94V080000Fuel System, GasolineReported 20/04/1994

THE VEHICLES FAILED THE LATERAL MOVING BARRIER IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS TANK EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF SPILLAGE. Remedy: MITSUBISHI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.

90V053000Wheels:Hubcap/CoverReported 15/03/1990

LOCK WASHER LOCATED UNDER THE NUT THAT SECURES THE FRONT HUB TO THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY HAVE HAD IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND COULD CRACK. Remedy: REPLACE LOCK WASHER ON EACH FRONT WHEEL AND REPAIR AREA AROUND LOCK WASHER AS NECESSARY.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT2672022-04-07Unknown Or OtherTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TT2532019-11-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-0082019-07-30EquipmentThis is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT2372018-02-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-13-42A-0022013-01-29StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Precis. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Precis take?

3.2 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Precis have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Precis get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg.