AI Damage1997 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 40% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 20% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 20% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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.
My 1997 mitsubishi has an open recall to remedy suspension front:control arm: lower ball joint defect. I purchased the car used in 2006. On 5/21/07, I was told by sears auto, a problem existed with the suspension:lower balljoint. I found out there was a recall, for the exact problem this car has.
My column switch no longer works resulting in turn signals not functioning properly. Wen investigating the replacement part for this item, I discovered that it is the same that which mitsubishi installed on its 1999 galant. There has been a nhtsa recall for this unit.
Timing belt broke which caused interference with motor, resulting in the whole top half of the engine being replaced.
Convertible top leaks, hinges have already been replaced and bent once again after the top was put down once. The water pools up top and then pours all over the driver. Caused extensive water damage, car is horrible.
Multiple oil leaks /I check three different vehicles nad they were all leaking oil at the same places/between transmission/and the motor.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mitsubishi has 5 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 5, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, exterior lighting, structure. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi?
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 1997 Mitsubishi Mitsubishi 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 1997 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.