AI Damage1986 Mitsubishi Mighty MAX: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty MAX filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 43% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 29% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 14% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (43% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
These exhaust manifolds were placed on recall for this issue of co inhalation and fire danger to the passengers, but were removed from the government recall list for unknown reasons. Be it a statue of limitations or fulfillment, the problem has not been solved correctly and reoccurs quickly.
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.
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 on above vehicle.
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.
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.
[phone]h) drivers side front seatbelt harness will not stay fasten into latch mechanism. Please describe details. Tt
The exhaust system; there is black smoke fumes coming out of the exhaust purchase truck used. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mighty MAX has 6 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty MAX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, seat belts, electrical system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (57%), seat belts (43%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty MAX?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty MAX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1986 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.