Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Mitsubishi Mighty Max Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints

What this means

We rank Mitsubishi Mighty Max model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1985 drew the fewest (2) and the 1991 the most (10).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Complaints filed by model year

3 settled years with the fewest complaints3 settled years with the mostStill collecting reports

Every year compared

Mitsubishi Mighty Max model years: complaints filed with NHTSA, recall campaigns, most-reported component, crash stars and combined mpg. Select a column heading to sort.
Most-reported component
1985
Among the fewest complaints
2 0 Engine and engine cooling — —
1989
Among the fewest complaints
2 1 Seat belts — —
1995
Among the fewest complaints
3 0 Seat belts — —
1987 4 1 Seat belts — —
1994 4 0 Engine and engine cooling — —
1986 7 1 Engine and engine cooling — —
1990 7 1 Seat belts — —
1988
Among the most complaints
9 1 Seat belts — —
1992
Among the most complaints
9 0 Power train — —
1991
Among the most complaints
10 1 Electrical system — —

Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What owners reported in the Mitsubishi Mighty Max years with the most complaints

These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.

1991 Mitsubishi Mighty Max: 10 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 4 (40%); Seat belts 3 (30%); Tires 2 (20%).

1 recall campaign listed.

1992 Mitsubishi Mighty Max: 9 complaints

Most-reported: Power train 4 (44%); Electrical system 1 (11%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (11%).

0 recall campaigns listed.

1988 Mitsubishi Mighty Max: 9 complaints

Most-reported: Seat belts 7 (78%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (11%); Tires 1 (11%).

1 recall campaign listed.

The Mitsubishi Mighty Max years with the fewest complaints

1985 Mitsubishi Mighty Max: 2 complaints

Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 1 (50%); Fuel system 1 (50%).

0 recall campaigns listed.

1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max: 2 complaints

Most-reported: Seat belts 1 (50%); Structure 1 (50%).

1 recall campaign listed.

1995 Mitsubishi Mighty Max: 3 complaints

Most-reported: Seat belts 1 (33%); Service brakes 1 (33%).

0 recall campaigns listed.

Crashes, fires and injuries in Mitsubishi Mighty Max owner reports

Mitsubishi Mighty Max owner complaints to NHTSA that report a crash, fire, injury or death, and the typical odometer reading when filed
Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTypical miles at filing
199530000—
199442000—
199290000—
1991100000—
199070000—
198920000—
198890000—
198740000—
198670100—
198520000—

Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Largest Mitsubishi Mighty Max recalls

  • INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES (1986–1991 model years; 658,000 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V103004)

All 1 Mitsubishi Mighty Max recall campaigns · Mitsubishi Mighty Max problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
  • Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
  • The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.

Mitsubishi Mighty Max years FAQ

Which Mitsubishi Mighty Max year has the fewest complaints?

Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1985 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.

Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?

Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.

Are there Mitsubishi Mighty Max years to avoid?

No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1991, 1992 and 1988 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the seat belts. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the most common Mitsubishi Mighty Max problem?

Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the seat belts (22 of 57 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.

How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Mighty Max have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the Mitsubishi Mighty Max. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mitsubishi Mighty Max recall page.

Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?

Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Data sources

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.