Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 1.2× | 3 | Engine | Few |
| 1998 | 0 | −33% | 3 | — | Few |
| 1997 | 1 | 1.2× | 2 | Suspension | Few |
* Complaints compared with the median Nativa year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mitsubishi Nativa problems
Latest Mitsubishi Nativa recalls
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose and the pulley could fall off the vehicle.
Remedy: On the mirage vehicles, the dealers will install a new, improved crankshaft pulley bolt on the older engines. On new engines which already have the improved bolt, the dealer will tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to…
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive and automatic transmissions. Automatic transmission fluid could be vented onto the hot exhaust system as a result of unanticipated heat generation in the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the transmission control unit to limit vehicle speed to below approximately 30 miles per hour when the vehicle is operated in the four-wheel-drive low range, an additional label describing the proper…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The front brake lines can develop pin holes due to chaffing against the edge of the pass-through hole in the inner fender.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front brake lines for signs of wear and routing. If the lines are not correctly centered in the pass-through hole, the lines will be repositioned by bending slightly to correct.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mitsubishi Nativa should you avoid?
None of the Mitsubishi Nativa years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Nativa?
1998 has the fewest complaints compared with other Nativa years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mitsubishi Nativa problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the suspension (1) and engine & cooling (1). Suspension complaints peak in the 1997 model year.
How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Nativa had?
4 recalls across 1997–1999. The model year with the most is 1998. See all Mitsubishi Nativa recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.