Mitsubishi EXPO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
108,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 47 complaints (27.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 23.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 6.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Seat Belts: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 40 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 8; 2000: 9; 2001: 6; 2002: 12; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10000665 · 2002-12-31 (December 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11253908 · 2019-09-07 (September 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 167,845 miles reported. Look up ODI 11253908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964113 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE, WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD ON TO DRIVER. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743665 · 2001-04-07 (April 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196258 · 2007-07-13 (July 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 FA…
Owner-reported narrative. 160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196258 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2003 | 0 |
1992: 2; 1993: 2; 1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 2003: 0