Recalls: Mitsubishi Mk.4 Pajero
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mitsubishi Mk.4 Pajero
2006-07 Mitsubishi Mk.4 Pajero: gear shift cable could move
In July 2007, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles manufactured from 21 November 2006 to 23 March 2007 with automatic transmissions. For these vehicles, a bolt welded to the manual control lever (mounted on the automatic transmission) may develop a crack when the shift cable attaching nut was tightened; as such, the shift cable attaching nut torque may be reduced, allowing the shift cable to move. This could result in an indicated shift position which differed to the position of the gearshift position at the transmission. At worst, if the driver selected ‘P’ or ‘N’, actual shift position may be ‘R’ or ‘D’ – this could cause unexpected vehicle movement if the accelerator was depressed (PRA 2007/9400).
2007 Mitsubishi Pajero: driveshaft and propeller shaft nuts
In November 2007, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi Mk.4 Pajero vehicles manufactured from 20 August 2007 and 23 August 2007. For these vehicles, incorrect nuts may have been used to retain the front right drive shaft and both front and rear propeller shafts. As a result, the threaded portion of the nut may deform on tightening, allowing the nut to become loose in operation (PRA 2007/9678).
Mitsubishi NS, NT, NW and NX Pajero Diesel: timing chain could break
In February 2015, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi NS, NT, NW and NX Pajero vehicles that had diesel engines and were manufactured from 10/10/2006 to 10/03/2014. In these vehicles, the engine timing chain tensioner may not provide sufficient tension control on the timing chain – this could be detected by abnormal noises when the engine was running. With continued use, the timing chain may break; at worst, the engine may stop and not restart, creating a potential accident hazard to the occupants and other road users (PRA 2015/14559).
Mitsubishi NS, NT, NW and NX Pajero: lamps may not operate
In June 2016, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi NS, NT, NW and NX Pajero vehicles because the turn signal and lighting switch connector terminals could become worn during switch operation due to insufficient rigidity – this could result in an accumulation of oxidised dust on the connector terminals. Furthermore, excessive dust accumulation could act as an insulator, affecting terminal conductivity. Continued usage in this conduction could cause conduction failure such that the following may fail to operate or only operate intermittently: the headlamps, turn signal lamps, parking lamp, fog lamps, tail lamp, number plate lamp and cabin lamp (PRA 2016/15466). The recalled Mitsubishi NS/NT/NW/NX Pajero vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMFLNV97W7J000101 to JMFLNV97W9J000125;
- JMFLNV98W7J000101 to JMFLNV98WFJ000109;
- JMFLYV97W7J000101 to JMFLYV97WDJ000113;
- JMFLYV98W7J000101 to JMFLYV98WFJ001707;
- JMFMYV87W7J000101 to JMFMYV87W9J000131; and,
- JMFMYV88W7J000101 to JMFMYV88W9J000181.
2006-09 Mitsubishi NS and NT Pajero: Takata airbag recall
In March 2017, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi NS and NT Pajero vehicles that were manufactured from October 2006 to December 2009. In these vehicles, propellant wafers in the front passenger airbag could absorb moisture over time. On deployment of the airbag, the airbag inflator housing may break and cause metallic fragments to be dispersed throughout the cabin – these fragments had the potential to cause serious injury. For the VINs of the recalled Mitsubishi NS and NT Pajero vehicles, please see PRA 2017/15991.
2010-12 Mitsubishi NT and NW Pajero: Takata airbag recall
In April 2017, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi NT and NW Pajero vehicles that were manufactured from 6 January 2010 to 28 December 2012. In these vehicles, propellant wafters within the front passenger airbag could absorb moisture over time. In the event of a collision, this could cause overly aggressive combustion of the airbag that could rupture the airbag inflator housing and disperse metallic fragments throughout the cabin – these fragments posed a serious injury risk to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Mitsubishi NT and NW Pajero vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16025.
2013-17 Mitsubishi NW/NX Pajero: Takata airbag recall
In December 2017, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi NW and NX Pajero vehicles that were manufactured from 7 January 2013 to 31 January 2017. In these vehicles, the passenger airbag inflator contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time – on deployment, this could cause the airbag inflator housing to rupture and disperse metal fragments throughout the cabin. These metal fragments had the potential to cause serious injury and/or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled Mitsubishi NW/NX Pajero vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16465.
2016-19 Mitsubishi NX Pajero: lower control arm may fail
In August 2019, recall campaign 010161 was issued for Mitsubishi NX Pajero vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 21 November 2016 to 30 July 2019. Due to inadequate welding strength, the front right side suspension lower control arm may fail at one of the weld joints. If one of the lower control arm weld joints fails, the vehicle’s steering and stability would be compromised – this increased the risk of a collision and posed a hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17777.
2020-22 Mitsubishi Pajero: remote keys may not have button battery warning
In March 2023, recall campaigns 010170 and 010171 were issued for 2020-22 Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles. Some remote keys supplied to consumers did not contain sufficient button battery warnings and, as such, did not comply with the mandatory labelling requirements for items containing button batteries. Consumers may therefore be unaware that the keys used button batteries and the risks posed to young children. If a young child ingested a button battery, they are likely to suffer severe internal burn injuries which could result in serious injury or death. Button batteries also pose a choking hazard. Owners were advised to contact their preferred Mitsubishi Motors dealer to check if the required warnings were present. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005634.
Problems and faults: Mitsubishi Mk.4 Pajero
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Mitsubishi Pajero with 4M41 diesel engine: carbon build-up in inlet manifold
For Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles with 3.2-litre 4M41 diesel engines, carbon build-up occurs because exhaust gases from the exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) mixes with oil mist extracted from the crankcase by the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system. This causes carbon build-up (a sludge) in the inlet manifold that eventually blocks airflow. As such, it is recommended that the inlet manifold be regularly cleaned to prevent carbon build up.
Mitsubishi Pajero with 4M41 diesel engine: Suction Control Valve (SCV) failure
For Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles with 3.2-litre 4M41 diesel engines, damage to the Suction Control Valve (SCV) can cause the following symptoms:
- A loss of performance under hard acceleration (particularly between 1800 rpm and 3000 rpm);
- Engine surging during steady acceleration; and,
- Increased fuel consumption.
The Suction Control Valve (SCV) controls the suction volume of the diesel fuel pump, by pulsing the solenoid up to 180 cycles per second. It is understood that the SCV is easily damaged by dirty diesel fuel and there have been reports of the SCV failing around 60,000 kilometres. To fix, the SCV should be replaced.
