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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1997–2002

Mitsubishi Nativa recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints for the Mitsubishi Nativa, covering model years 1997 to 2002. The 2002 model year drew the most complaints (2), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mitsubishi Nativa VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 4 recall campaigns on file
  • 4 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (1997–2002)
  • most complaints: 2002 (2 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (2 complaints)
  • latest recall 04V428000 (reported Sep 1, 2004)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mitsubishi Nativa complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2002 model year has the most complaints: 2 of 4, or 50.0%. Next come 1997 (1) and 1999 (1).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mitsubishi Nativa owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1997–2002Column chart of 4 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 2002 with 2. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1997: 1 complaint119971998: 0 complaints19981999: 1 complaint119992000: 0 complaints20002001: 0 complaints20012002: 2 complaints22002
Mitsubishi Nativa complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mitsubishi Nativa complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199710000
199910000
200220000
All model years40000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mitsubishi Nativa components

top 3 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 2 complaints (50.0% of all 4), followed by Electrical System (1) and Suspension (1).

Components named most often in Mitsubishi Nativa complaints (top 3)
Components named most often in Mitsubishi Nativa complaints (top 3)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling250.0%
Electrical System125.0%
Suspension125.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mitsubishi Nativa recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Nativa, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 1997 to 2002. The 1998 and 1999 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 4 recall campaigns
Mitsubishi Nativa recall campaigns covering each model year
1997: 2 campaigns1998: 3 campaigns1999: 3 campaigns2000: no campaigns2001: no campaigns2002: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 04V428000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model years 1998–1999, 2002

    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.

    Consequence:
    This does not meet the 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. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during March or April 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during April or May 2005. Owners should contact Mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

    Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 00V311002

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

    Model years 1997–1999

    Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose and the pulley could fall off the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    The condition can result in a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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 the correct torque specification. On the montero models, dealers will tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to the correct torque specifications. If the bolt is damaged, it will be replaced.

    Filed by MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

  3. NHTSA campaign 99V041001

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model year 1999

    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.

    Consequence:
    The vented transmission fluid could come into contact with the hot exhaust system and ignition of the transmission fluid could result.
    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 use of four-wheel-drive low range will be provided, and will relocate the transmission breather vent. In addition, the owner's manual will be corrected with the proper information to reflect the change to the speed limitations in the four-wheel-drive low range.

    Filed by MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

  4. NHTSA campaign 98V220001

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model years 1997–1998

    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.

    Consequence:
    Brake fluid can leak resulting in deteriorated braking performance and illumination of the brake indicator lamp.
    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. If there is evidence of brake line wear, the brake line will be replaced.

    Filed by MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mitsubishi Nativa questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Nativa have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Nativa, covering model years 1997 to 2002. The most recent, 04V428000, was reported on September 1, 2004 and is filed under “Equipment”. The 1998 and 1999 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Mitsubishi Nativa model year has the most complaints?

The 2002 model year, with 2 of the 4 complaints in NHTSA’s file (50.0%). The next are 1997 (1) and 1999 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mitsubishi Nativa complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 2 complaints, or 50.0% of all 4. Electrical System (1) and Suspension (1) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mitsubishi Nativa?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mitsubishi dealer.

How many Mitsubishi Nativa complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 4 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mitsubishi models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mitsubishi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mitsubishi VIN decoder with every Mitsubishi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mitsubishi models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.