1994 Mitsubishi Expo recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: 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 REPLACE…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1994 EXPO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V168000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 25, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (11), Visibility (wipers / glass) (2), Airbags (2), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/05/2005 · Transmission / drivetrain
CONSUMER STATES: THE TRANSFER CASE INSIDE THE TRANMISSION LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
05/28/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE REVERSING. THE VEHICLE NO LONGER SHIFTS INTO ANY GEAR. *TT
10/28/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
PASSING A TRUCK ON SMALL HILL AND LOST POWER. HAD NO GEARS AT ALL. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. HAD TO TAKE ACTION TO GET OFF ROAD. DT
02/25/2002 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
01/03/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
05/07/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. NLM
09/04/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
ON JULY 6, 1999, AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00 P.M. WHILE DRIVING THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE I HEARD A THUMP AND NOTICED THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS GOING APROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED. IT IS NOTED, ON MARCH 12, 1999, I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER AFTER NOTICING A JERK BETWEEN 1ST AND 2N…
09/04/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
ON JULY 6, 1999, AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00 P.M. WHILE DRIVING THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE I HEARD A THUMP AND NOTICED THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS GOING APROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED. IT IS NOTED, ON MARCH 12, 1999, I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER AFTER NOTICING A JERK BETWEEN 1ST AND 2N…