AI DamageMitsubishi Precis: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mitsubishi Precis across 7 model years: 16 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 31% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (31% of all).
- Visibility: 4 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1987–1993
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1984
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1989
- automatic, 4-speed 1990–1993
- manual, 4-speed 1984–1993
- manual, 5-speed 1987–1992
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
Consumer was driving approximately 5mph or less when rear ended by another vehicle at 45mph or more, upon impact, driver's seatback rest broke and driver was ejected from seat into rear of car.
It was a rainy day. I was going approximately 30 miles per hour. The car in front of me slowed. I did also. My brakes would not respond although I was pressing on them. The car started skidding and wouldn't stop. I crashed into the car in front of me. The damage to the other vehicle was slight.
Gear shift rod on my 1988 mitsubishi precis broke off from the gear shift.
Transmission system malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to hesitate and become noisy, which may have resulted in a crash. Dealer had replaced engine. But problem still exists. Vehicle makes a ticking noise while being driven, vehicle is sluggish. Steering wheel shimmies, 3 out of 4 tires have gone flat.
Vehicle is making a flapping noise underneath. It was taken to two transmission specialists and one garage and was advised that the transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt.
Tried to get recall remedied and the dealership says it did not exist and they will not set up an appointment for him even though he has a letter.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other models of this make
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.