Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
99,000 miles · May 20, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
THERE WAS A RECALL (97V063001) CONCERNING THE DOOR LATCH WHICH COULD MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE TO REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT SLIDE ON THE RAIL PROPERLY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR TH…
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THERE WAS A RECALL (97V063001) CONCERNING THE DOOR LATCH WHICH COULD MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE TO REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT SLIDE ON THE RAIL PROPERLY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME VEHICLE ONLY ONE YEAR EARLIER, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK (RIGHT REAR DOOR) *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10067406
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2002
Power Train
I GOT THIS CAR FROM A USED LOT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TAT SAME DAY. I WANT TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT AGAINT THE DEALER CAR CITY OUTLET.*AK
NHTSA ODI #763364
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2002
Seat Belts
PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT ENGAGE WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR, LEAVING PASSENGER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012020
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS-DISC BRAKE ROTORS NOT ROBUST CAUSING POOR BRAKING AND OWNER EXPENSE. SHOULD BE A MFG RECALL TO REPLACE WITH MUCH MORE DURABLE DESIGN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743665
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2000
Seat Belts
THE SEAT BELTS DOESN'T WORK AT ALL SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717323
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1999
Seat Belts
IN AUGUST 1998, MY WIFE GOT IN HER VEHICLE TO START AND WARM UP HER ENGINE PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR WORK. WHEN SHE TURN OFF IGNITION HER MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REMAINED IN THE FORWARD POSITION. APPARENTLY, THE MOTOR FOR RETRACTING THE SHOULDER BELT RAN IN REVERSE., INSTEAD OF PULLING OR PLACING TENSION ON THE …
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IN AUGUST 1998, MY WIFE GOT IN HER VEHICLE TO START AND WARM UP HER ENGINE PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR WORK. WHEN SHE TURN OFF IGNITION HER MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REMAINED IN THE FORWARD POSITION. APPARENTLY, THE MOTOR FOR RETRACTING THE SHOULDER BELT RAN IN REVERSE., INSTEAD OF PULLING OR PLACING TENSION ON THE CABLE TO RETRACT, THE CABLE WAS COMPRESSED. WITH THE SYSTEM ALREADY IN THE FORWARD POSITION, THE CABLE WAS FORCED OUT OF ITS TRACK. WHEN LOOKED AT BY LOCAL DEALER, THE SHOP MANAGER THOUGHT THIS MAY FALL UNDER A RECALL NOTICE (SR-97-002). WE HADN'T RECEIVED A NOTICE AND WEREN'T SURE WHAT HE WAS REFERRING TO. THE REGIONAL MANAGER HAPPENED TO BE IN TOWN WHEN WE TOOK OUR MINI VAN IN. HE LOOKED AT THE FAILURE AND DENIED THE FAILURE AS BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. HIS REASONING WAS THAT THE MOTOR FAILED. OUR COST FOR REPAIRS WOULD BE $700. ON NOVEMBER 30, 1998 WE RECEIVED A SECOND NOTICE OF RECALL. WHEN READING THE NOTICE I FELT THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN ERROR IN THE FIRST DECISION MADE BY THE REGIONAL MANAGER. I QUESTIONED PERFORMANCE MOTORS ABOUT THE MALFUNCTIONING SWITCH. MY BELT FAILED IN THE FORWARD POSITION. WAS THERE POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT OR MALFUNCTION IN THE RECALL SWITCH TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE WE EXPIERENCED? THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT TESTS WERE CONDUCTED TO GENERATE THEIR CONCLUSSIONS. ON JANUARY 5, 1999, I CALLED MITSUBISHI CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT FILE REFERENCE #245316. AFTER DESCRIBING MY SITUATION, CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT, ALEX, THOUGHT MY VEHICLE WARRANTED ANOTHER LOOK. ON JANUARY 9, 1999 AT 8:00AM I ARRIVED FOR MY APPOINTMENT. THE REGIONAL MANAGER HAD ALREADY CONTACTED THE DEALER AND DENIED ANY CLAIM. I ASKED IF ANYONE HAD LOOKED AT MY DOOR SWITCHES AS PER THE RECALL? THEY HAVE NO RECORD. JANUARY 19TH, CALLED CORPORATE OFFICE AGAIN. ASKED WHY MY SWITCHES HAVE NOT BEEN LOOKED AT. CORPORATE WAS TO GET BACK WITH ME BY THE 21ST. TO DATE, I'VE HEARD NOTHING, I HAVE A RECALL NOTICE & A FAILURE, THERE'S BEEN NO INSPECTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702689
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NOTICED THAT VEHICLE LABORED UNDER ACCELERATION AND FRONT BRAKES SMELLED AFTER BEING PARKED. SYMTPOMS GRADUALLY WORSENED UNTIL VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER. AFTER BEING TOWED TO DEALER WAS ADVISED THAT HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN CONTAMINATED AND THAT RUBBER COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACES. APPROX. 1 Y…
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NOTICED THAT VEHICLE LABORED UNDER ACCELERATION AND FRONT BRAKES SMELLED AFTER BEING PARKED. SYMTPOMS GRADUALLY WORSENED UNTIL VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER. AFTER BEING TOWED TO DEALER WAS ADVISED THAT HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN CONTAMINATED AND THAT RUBBER COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACES. APPROX. 1 YR LATER SAME SYMTOMS BEGAN. WAS ADVISED THAT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. ROTORS AND PAD REPLACED. NOW (9/98) HEARING SOUNDS OF STRESS IN FRONT END WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA ODI #541667
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE GASKETS FAILED CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO HOT PORTIONS OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TRANSAXLE.
NHTSA ODI #527785
Mileage unknown · May 28, 1997
Seat Belts
SHOULDER BELT ATTACHED TO DOOR & COMES OUT WHEN DOOR IS OPENED & STAYS; WILL NOT BEE IN A RETRACTING POSITION; CAN UNLOCK LAP BELT & FASTEN IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #811740
Mileage unknown · May 1, 1997
Seat Belts
BELT RETRACTORS FOR SHOULDER BELTS FAILED, ONLY CAME ACROSS SHOULDER OCCASIONALLY PRIOR TO RECALL 97V-063. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Consequence & remedy
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.
EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM, AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SO THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA98002 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Jan 30, 1998 · Closed Apr 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
No summary supplied.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
Wheels
1993 Mitsubishi Expo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year