RoadVitals

1993 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.
12
Latest May 20, 2004
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Mitsubishi Expo, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and engine 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 belts758.3%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Engine18.3%
  • Interior & seats18.3%
  • Transmission18.3%

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 12
Interior & seats
Filed May 20, 2004

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 ID
10067406
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
99,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 23, 2002

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 ID
763364
Incident
Jun 14, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Jun 18, 2002

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 ID
8012020
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Brakes
Filed Apr 7, 2001

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 ID
743665
Incident
Nov 24, 1994
Seat belts
Filed Jan 13, 2000

THE SEAT BELTS DOESN'T WORK AT ALL SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
717323
Incident
May 26, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Jan 28, 1999

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 ID
702689
Incident
Aug 22, 1998
Brakes
Filed Sep 24, 1998

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 ID
541667
Incident
Jun 1, 1996
Engine
Filed Jan 3, 1998

ENGINE GASKETS FAILED CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO HOT PORTIONS OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TRANSAXLE.

NHTSA ID
527785
Incident
Jun 30, 1996

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
1993Viewing122144.1
1992412150.2

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.