RoadVitals

1992 Mitsubishi Expo

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Sep 7, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 22, 1998
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Mitsubishi Expo, most frequently naming the seat belts, body & structure and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 10 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts2250.0%
  • Body & structure613.6%
  • Transmission511.4%
  • Interior & seats49.1%
  • Engine24.5%
  • Brakes24.5%
  • Fuel system12.3%
  • Powertrain (other)12.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
98V168000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Jul 22, 1998
9,560 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov
97V063001

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Apr 18, 1997
38,948 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA98002ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

Opened Jan 30, 1998
Closed Apr 30, 1998
WHEELSLed to recall 98V069001

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 41
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 7, 2019

TRANSMISSION GOES OUT IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY HAD TO PUSH CAR TO SAFETY AND WAS ALMOST RUN OVER NO WARNING THIS WAS GONNA DO THIS.

NHTSA ID
11253908
Incident
Sep 7, 2019
Mileage
167,845 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSUBISHI EXPO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT REGULATES THE IGNITION AND FUEL HANDLING IS DEFECTIVE. HE SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AS HE WAS DRIVING AND REALIZED THAT THE COMPUTER HAD BURNED. HE STATED THAT A SQUARE INCH OF THE SYSTEM HAS BURNED OFF AND THE COMPOSITOR IN THE COMPUTER LEAKS OUT ONTO OTHER UNITS. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE A CIRCUIT TO BURN AND LEAD TO ENGINE STALLING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO, BUT WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INJURIES AND/OR DEATH. HE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160.

NHTSA ID
10196258
Incident
Feb 1, 2006
Mileage
160 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 20, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V063001 CONCERNING SEAT BELT FAILURE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT SLIDE ON THE RAIL PROPERLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK *LA

NHTSA ID
10067407
Incident
Apr 14, 1997
Mileage
70,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 31, 2002

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE 1992 WHEN THE AUTOMOBILE WAS PURCHASED. IN BOTH CASES WE WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. NEITHER WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND DUE TO THIS BEING A REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE WE WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10000665
Incident
Dec 27, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Nov 15, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DISENGAGES WHILE DRIVING. ALSO THE SAME BELT WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT ENGAGE WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. TS

NHTSA ID
8022814
Incident
Nov 7, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Jun 25, 2002

FRONT DRIVER SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEATBELT WILL NOT WORK. THE MOTOR IS OUT AND THE SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVICED FOR THE "SEAT BELT LATCH SWITCH RECALL" WHICH WAS ISSUED IN 1998 (SERVICED FEB. 1999). AFTER RECALL FIX IS WHEN THIS SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED.*AK

NHTSA ID
763449
Incident
Jun 19, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 15, 2002

DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN FORWARD POSITION, THERE IS A RECALL BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED.*AK RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V063000, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE RECALL COMPONENT. *TT

NHTSA ID
8007620
Incident
Feb 1, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Mar 8, 2002

WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP SEAT BELT RELEASES AND CAME FORWARD. SOMETIMES WHEN FASTENING SEATBELT IT DOES NOT RETRACT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID
8005223
Incident
Oct 21, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TT253

EQUIPMENT

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-19-00-008

EQUIPMENT

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

TT237

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-13-42A-002

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.

TSB9723015

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

INFORMATION ABOUT IMPROVED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE END CLUTCH. *TT

97090152B003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SERVICE MANUAL REVISION ON SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Expo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003100—
2001000—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997000—
1996110—
1995111144.1
1994151148.9
1993122144.1
1992Viewing412150.2

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.