VehicleVerdict

1993 Mitsubishi Expo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 1993 Mitsubishi Expo — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Expo years?

Expo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted45 complaints1992: 45 complaints1993: 13 complaints1994: 18 complaints1995: 13 complaints1996: 1 complaints2003: 1 complaints
Expo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Expo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Mitsubishi Expo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts754%
Brakes323%
Engine18%
Latches & Locks18%
Transmission18%

Does the 1993 Mitsubishi Expo have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V168000TransmissionJuly 22, 1998 · 9,560 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

97V063001Latches & LocksApril 18, 1997 · 38,948 units

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 15, 2002

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 1996

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 14, 2002

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · January 1, 1901

1993 Mitsubishi Expo — common questions

Is the 1993 Mitsubishi Expo reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1993 Expo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (7 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), engine (1 complaints).

Does the 1993 Mitsubishi Expo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Mitsubishi Expo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Mitsubishi Expo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mitsubishi Expo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Expo years to avoid are 1992. The cleanest record among Expo years belongs to 2003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.