1988 Mitsubishi Precis problems

Common 1988 Mitsubishi Precis problems

The Mitsubishi Precis, produced from 1987 to 1994, was essentially a rebadged Hyundai Excel sold by Mitsubishi to offer an entry-level car in their lineup. While the Precis shared its engine and many components with the Dodge Colt/Champ/Mitsubishi Mirage, it was plagued by the same issues that affected the Hyundai Excel, particularly during its early years in the US market.

• Quality and Reliability Issues: The Hyundai Excel, on which the Precis was based, had a rough start in the US market due to its crude and simple design, as well as the company's lack of experience in building modern front-wheel-drive cars. This led to a poor reputation for the Excel, which carried over to the Precis. However, the quality of these cars improved over time.

• Engine and Transmission Problems: The Mitsubishi Precis shared its engine and transmission with the Dodge Colt/Champ/Mitsubishi Mirage, which were known for having issues with their powertrains. These problems included engine knocking, poor fuel efficiency, and transmission failures.
• Electrical Issues: Some owners of the Mitsubishi Precis reported various electrical issues, such as malfunctioning lights, faulty wiring, and problems with the car's electrical system in general.

• Body and Paint Quality: The Precis, like the Excel, was criticized for its poor build quality, including issues with panel gaps, paint defects, and rusting.

• Interior Fit and Finish: The interior of the Precis was also criticized for its low-quality materials, poor fit and finish, and lack of features compared to other cars in its class.

• Fuel Economy Misrepresentation: Mitsubishi admitted to providing incorrect information on fuel consumption for the Precis, as well as other models, from 2002 onwards. The company used inaccurate test methods and even disclosed that they had been using fuel-economy testing methods that did not comply with Japanese regulations for 25 years.

While the Mitsubishi Precis had its share of issues, it's important to note that many of these problems were related to the Hyundai Excel on which it was based. Over time, Hyundai was able to address many of these issues, and it's likely that the Precis improved as well. However, the poor reputation of the Excel and the Precis in their early years may have contributed to their obscurity and lack of popularity.

What years were the Mitsubishi Precis made?

The Mitsubishi Precis was a subcompact car that was essentially a rebadged version of the Hyundai Excel. Offered during the 1980s and early 1990s in the U.S. market, it's a product of the collaboration between Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The Precis was sold in the U.S. market from 1987 to 1994.

Which is better Toyota or Mitsubishi?

Toyota is recognized worldwide for its dependable vehicles, while Mitsubishi stands out with its performance-focused engineering and generous warranty offerings.

Is Mitsubishi a good brand?

Dependability

J.D. Power ranked Mitsubishi among the top 10 brands in its 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

Is Mitsubishi a long lasting car?

Mitsubishi Motors models are known for their reliability and long-living powertrain. Thanks to the Mitsubishi Motors basic limited warranty for 5 years/60,000 miles, a powertrain limited warranty for 10 years/100,000 miles, many of their vehicles can keep on going for years and years.

1988 Mitsubishi Precis car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Precis problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Visibility problems
• Power train problems
• Seats problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Mitsubishi Precis vehicle components and the number of complaints received.