The 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty Max has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 658,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030041995-05-24658,000 affected
Defect
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…
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1
1fires
ENGINE
1
EQUIPMENT
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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.”
“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…”
“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”
“[REDACTED]h) drivers side front seatbelt harness will not stay fasten into latch mechanism. Please describe details. Tt”
“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…”
“The exhaust system; there is black smoke fumes coming out of the exhaust purchase truck used. Tt”
“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”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty Max as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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