1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max problems
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Common 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max problems
The Mitsubishi Mighty Max, produced from 1982 to 1996, was a popular compact pickup truck known for its reliability and durability. However, like any vehicle, it was not without its common problems.
One of the most common issues reported by owners of early Mighty Max models, specifically those from 1982 to 1986, was overheating. This was often caused by a faulty thermostat or radiator, and could lead to serious engine damage if not addressed promptly.
For the 1987 to 1991 models, transmission problems were a significant issue. Many owners reported issues with shifting, including difficulty shifting into and out of gears, as well as slipping or jerking during acceleration. These issues were often attributed to faulty transmission components, but could also be caused by problems with the clutch or hydraulic system. Additionally, engine oil leaks were a common problem during this time period, with many Mighty Max trucks prone to leaking oil from the valve cover gasket.
Rust on body panels continued to be a problem with these models, especially in areas with high humidity or salt exposure. Some owners also reported issues with the alternator and starter, which could lead to difficulty starting or a dead battery. Finally, some owners of 1987-1991 Mighty Max models reported acceleration issues due to faulty fuel injectors, which could cause poor fuel economy and hesitation or stalling during acceleration.
For the second generation of Mighty Max trucks, produced from 1987 to 1996, there were still some common problems reported by owners. One of the most common problems was issues with the timing belt, which could cause significant engine damage if it failed. Many owners reported that the timing belt needed to be replaced sooner than expected, leading to costly repairs.
Another common issue reported by owners of these models was problems with the fuel system, including clogged fuel injectors or fuel filters, which could lead to poor performance and fuel economy. Some owners also reported issues with the fuel pump or fuel lines, which could cause the vehicle to stall or not start at all.
In addition to these issues, some owners reported problems with the transmission, including slipping or difficulty shifting. This was often caused by a worn clutch or transmission components, which could be expensive to repair. The electrical system also posed problems for some owners of the second-generation Mighty Max trucks, with some reporting issues with the alternator or battery, which could cause the vehicle to not start or run properly. Additionally, some owners reported issues with the starter or ignition system, which could also cause starting issues.
Despite these common problems, many owners of the second-generation Mighty Max trucks reported good reliability and durability. The improved engine and drivetrain, as well as the availability of four-wheel drive on some models, made these trucks popular among outdoor enthusiasts and those in need of a reliable work truck.
How much horsepower does a 1986 Mighty Max have?
The Mighty Max relied on the 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine for power. It was rated at 116 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 136 ft. -lb. of torque at 3500 rpm.
What engine did the Mitsubishi Mighty Max have?
1994 Mitsubishi Mighty Max Regular Cab Specs, Features & Options
| 1 of 2 Mighty Max Regular Cab Short Bed | 2 of 2 Mighty Max Regular Cab 4WD Short Bed |
|---|---|
| See Pricing See Cars in Stock | See Pricing See Cars in Stock |
| Pickup | Pickup |
| Engine | |
| 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | V6, 3.0 Liter |
Why won't my Mitsubishi Mighty Max start?
The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Mighty Max won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Are Mitsubishi trucks reliable?
RepairPal ranks Mitsubishi sixth among 32 car brands in terms of reliability. This import brand earns a four-out-of-five-star rating and costs $535 on average to repair.
1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Mighty max problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Equipment problems
- Seat belts problems
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1988-03-01
- VIN: JA7FP24D5GP
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THIS ENGINE (1983-1986 - 1997CU.IN./2.0L SOHC L4 G63B) PRODUCED BY MITSUBISHI CORPORATION WAS FITTED WITH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CREATED WITH INFERIOR MATERIALS. THESE MATERIALS WERE USED TO CREATE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS FOR THESE MOTORS UNDER NORMAL USE, DEVELOP CRACKS. THE CRACKS WOULD EMIT HIGH TEMPERATURE CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND THE DRIVER & PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE DEFECTIVE LIFE THREATENING PARTS WERE REPLACED BY THE MITSUBISHI CORPORATION WITH THE EXACT SAME INFERIOR MATERIAL DESIGN PARTS AND DEVELOPED THE SAME ISSUES AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THESE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS WERE PLACED ON RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE OF CO INHALATION AND FIRE DANGER TO THE PASSENGERS, BUT WERE REMOVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT RECALL LIST FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. BE IT A STATUE OF LIMITATIONS OR FULFILLMENT, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED CORRECTLY AND REOCCURS QUICKLY. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI CORPORATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE VEHICLE IS NOT NEW, THEY CONSIDERED IT A JOKE THAT I HAVE ASKED FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS ITEM THAT THEY WERE REQUIRED TO REPLACE IN THE PAST FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THESE VEHICLES STILL HAVE ANOTHER RECALL FOR SEATBELTS THAT ARE LISTED, BUT THE MANIFOLDS HAVE BEEN MYSTERIOUSLY REMOVED FROM THE LIST. ITEMS THAT ARE REPLACED BECAUSE OF DANGEROUS CONDITIONS TO OCCUPANTS IN A VEHICLE, THEN REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE MATERIAL DESIGN NEEDS MORE INVESTIGATION BY GOVERNMENT RECALL INVESTIGATORS OF AUTOMOBILES. THE MITSUBISHI CORPORATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEGLIGENCE AND INSTALLATION OF DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE PARTS THAT ARE DANGEROUS TO ALL PASSENGERS RIDING IN THESE VEHICLES WITH THE PARTICULAR ENGINES INSTALLED. CARBON MONOXIDE IS COLORLESS, ODORLESS, TASTELESS GAS THAT IS SLIGHTLY LIGHTER THAN AIR. IT IS TOXIC TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS ENCOUNTERED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-02-03
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: DEVELOPING EXPANSION CRACK IN COLLECTOR OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD OF THE 1986 2.0L MITSUBISHI MIGHT MAX PU. THIS IS DUE TO IMPROPER CASTING OF MATERIALS DURING PRODUCTION AND WHEN REPAIRED, IT IS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE UNIT OF THE SAME NATURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-08
- VIN: JA7FP24D5GP
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: 86 MITSUBISHI MIGHTY MAX PU:EXHAUST MANIFOLD:CRACKS DEVELOPED IN CASTING. CO INTO ENGINE/PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSES FIRE/CO POISONING TO DRIVER/PASSENGER. COMPLAINT: QUESTION ARE THEY ONLY REQUIRED TO REPAIR ONCE WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS? NOTIFIED BY MITSUBISHI CORP. RECALL ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON ABOVE VEHICLE. RECALL STATED DUE TO PROBLEMS IN MANUFACTURING/CASTING OF MATERIALS OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CRACKS DEVELOP IN MANIFOLD WHICH RELEASE CO INTO ENGINE/PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS. THIS COULD CAUSE FIRE OR CO POISONING PASSENGERS. VEHICLE SERVICED RECALL AT DEALER, NOT SURE STILL EXIST AUTOWEST MITSUBISHI FREMONT,CA. AFTER TIME, I NOTICED LARGE CRACK OUTSIDE CASTING OF MANIFOLD. ALMOST 360 AROUND COLLECTOR OF 4 EXHAUST TUBES OF MANIFOLD. CRACK IS EMITTING CO BECAUSE A RESIDUE DEVELOPED BY EXHAUST ESCAPING CRACK.(BLACK CARBON). I CALLED DEALER SPOKANE, WA; APPLEWAY MITSUBISHI. ASKED ABOUT REPAIRS FOR MANIFOLD, CONTACT MITSUBISHI CORP. 1-800-222-0037. I CALLED AND TALKED TO 2 PEOPLE ABOUT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. 1ST SAID, NO RECALL FOR MANIFOLD, 1 ISSUED FOR SAFETY HARNESS .I ASKED TO TOW VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. HE COULD NOT ANSWER QUESTION. TRANSFER TO 2ND. 2ND SAID, EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS REPAIRED ONCE, WILL NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN,NO LONGER PART OF SAFETY CAMPAIGN AND VEHICLE TOO OLD. VEHICLE IS OLDER, BUT FAR FROM EFFECTS OF AGE, I STATED TO EMPLOYEE. HE STATED NO LONGER REPAIR EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. I ASKED TOWING VEHICLE FOR SEATBELT RECALL. 2ND PERSON ACTUALLY LAUGHED AT REQUEST, AFTER SHORT TIME AWAY FROM PHONE, SAID" NO WE WILL NOT TOW VEHICLE, NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. STATE WA. SEATBELT FINE $86 REPORTED *HE MADE COUPLE SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING SEATBELT LAWS, 1) USE RUBBER BAND, MAKE LOOK LIKE ITS ON.(SMERK, YA RIGHT) 2) DON'T HIT ANYTHING. 3) HE ASKED, "WHY VEHICLE USED SO LONG WITH BUSTED BELT . I SAID,"RECALL STATED IN ACCIDENT, IT COULD RELEASE, CAUSING INJURY. I HAVENT TESTED THEM YET. (LAUGHING? I WAS)HE ASSURED NO TOWING.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-15
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JA7FP24D1GP
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE TRYING TO START MY TRUCK SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE SOLDER CONNECTION ON THE IGNITION SWITCH MELTED THE SOLDER CONNECTION OF THE WIRE AND THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JA7FP44E9GP
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. RECALL#95V103004. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-23
- VIN: JA7FP24D9GP
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: (404-941-3893H) DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEATBELT HARNESS WILL NOT STAY FASTEN INTO LATCH MECHANISM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JA7FL24D0HP
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; THERE IS BLACK SMOKE FUMES COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PURCHASE TRUCK USED. TT
1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max.
- Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI AMERICA
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
- Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty max problems:
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