1988 Mitsubishi Van problems
The Mitsubishi Delica (Japanese: 三菱・デリカ, Hepburn: Mitsubishi Derika) is a range of vans and pickup trucks designed and built by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors since 1968. It was originally based on a cabover van and pickup truck introduced the previous year, also called the Delica, its name a contraction of the English language phrase Delivery car. This pickup truck, and a commercial van derived from it has received many names in export markets, being sold as the L300 (later L400) in Europe, Jamaica (discontinued after the third generation) and New Zealand, Express and Starwagon in Australia, and plain Mitsubishi Van and Wagon in the United States. The passenger car versions were known as Delica Star Wagon from 1979 until the 1994 introduction of the Delica Space Gear, which became simply Space Gear in Europe at least. The most recent version (not available as a commercial vehicle) is called the Delica D:5. With the exception of the first, versions of all generations are still being sold in various international markets.
In Japan, the Delica Cargo and Delica D:3 nameplates were used on rebadged Mazda Bongo Brawny (between 1999 and 2010) and Nissan NV200 (between 2011 and 2019) respectively. Since 2011, the Delica D:2 nameplate has been applied to the rebadged Suzuki Solio. Starting 2023, the Delica Mini nameplate is also used as a kei car model based on the eK X Space.
First generation (1968)
The production of the Delica light commercial cab-over pickup began in July 1968. It received the chassis code T100, in line with the recently (January 1968) introduced "T90" Canter. Using a KE44 1,088 cc engine producing 58 PS (43 kW), its maximum payload was 600 kg (1,323 lb) and had a top end speed of 115 km/h (71 mph). A year later, in line with consumer needs, a cargo van and a passenger van were added to the line-up. The passenger van, discontinued in 1976, was called the 'Delica Coach' and could seat nine people in three rows of seats. The engine was upgraded to 62 PS (46 kW) in 1969.
In March 1971, a slightly facelifted version, called the Delica 75, arrived. This (the T120) received a small grille rather than the naked metal front of the earliest Delicas, and a new 1.4-litre Neptune (4G41) engine rated at 86 PS (63 kW) was added to the line-up. The smaller 1.1-litre engine may have remained available in a 600 kilograms (1,300 lb) version of the truck but if so, it soon vanished entirely.
After a fall 1974 facelift, the Delica received a new nose with much plastic cladding and double headlights, now mounted beneath the swage line. It was now known only as the "Delica 1400", as this was the only engine with which it was available (mention of a Delica 1200 is most likely apocryphal, perhaps an issue of confusion arising from the "120" chassis code). A longer wheelbase (T121) one-ton truck was added in 1976.
In export markets, this car was usually called the Colt T100/T120/1400. It became a massive success in Indonesia, where "Colt" became synonymous with minibus. Mitsubishi dominated the market and the T120 remained in production until 1982. The nametag was revived in February 1991 with a rebadged version of the Suzuki Carry Futura. Record, a Greek manufacturer of agricultural vehicles, plagiarized the Delica T120 design (even using the same windshield) for their fibreglass-bodied "GS2000" truck.
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Common 1988 Mitsubishi Van problems
The 1988 Mitsubishi Van is known for a few common problems based on complaints from owners of this car. One of the most reported issues is with the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve, which can stick closed and cause low power on acceleration.
Another issue reported by owners is the potential for overheating and fire problems, which were common in the Nissan Vans of the same era and affected a few Mitsubishi Vans as well.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Van also has a four-wheel drive system that can suffer from problems if abused, although the transmission is generally strong.
For turbo models, such as the rare diesels and even more rare VR4 V6s, it's important to check for excessive smoke on hard acceleration, which could be a sign of over-enthusiastic use and poor maintenance leading to worn turbocharger seals.
Overall, while the 1988 Mitsubishi Van has some common issues that owners should be aware of, most of these can be resolved with regular maintenance and careful driving.
1988 Mitsubishi Van car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Van problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Mitsubishi Van vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Mitsubishi Van complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Mitsubishi Van.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-29
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER PASSENGER'S SEAT, CAUSED BY FAULTY FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-29
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER PASSENGER'S SEAT, CAUSED BY FAULTY FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS. *AK
1988 Mitsubishi Van recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1988 Mitsubishi Van.
- 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.
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