Mitsubishi

Challenger PA / PB-PC inspection checklist

1998-2015 · 11 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highPower steering high-pressure line works loose (PB/PC)

Look for: A known design flaw on PB/PC: the tube-nut on the power-steering supply line to the rack can vibrate loose on corrugated/outback roads, dumping all the power-steering fluid and leaving you with heavy steering far from help.

If you find it: Check and correctly torque/secure the line; carry spare PS fluid for remote travel; inspect for leaks pre-trip.

Any (corrugations) · ~$150-600

mediumLighting / turn-signal switch connector wear (PB/PC recall)

Look for: Subject of a 2016 recall: the turn-signal and lighting switch connector terminals can wear and, with dust accumulation, cause headlamps, indicators and other lights to fail or operate intermittently.

If you find it: Confirm the recall was completed; replace the switch/connector if lights flicker or drop out.

Any · ~$0-400

mediumRust - chassis rails and underbody (coastal / beach use)

Look for: As a ladder-frame wagon often used for beach and touring duty, chassis rails, crossmembers and underbody can corrode on coastal or salt-exposed examples.

If you find it: Inspect chassis and underbody carefully pre-purchase; wash down after beach use; favour dry-climate vehicles.

Any · Varies

2.5L 4D56HP turbo diesel (PB/PC)

highCylinder-head / coolant-loss overheating (campaign 020116)

Look for: A factory machining issue on 2.5L 4D56HP engines built before 18 March 2014 causes 'repetitive coolant evaporation' and coolant loss under high load (e.g. towing), leading to overheating and head/head-gasket damage. Mitsubishi ran preventative service campaign 020116 (Nov 2014) to address it.

If you find it: Confirm the 020116 campaign work was carried out; keep cooling system fresh, watch coolant level closely, and avoid sustained high-load running until verified. Repair head/gasket if already damaged.

Any · ~$2500-6000

highBalance-shaft belt failure (separate from timing belt)

Look for: The 4D56 uses a separate balance-shaft belt as well as the main timing belt. The balance-shaft belt can degrade and fail well before the timing belt; if it shreds it can foul the timing belt and cause severe vibration or engine damage.

If you find it: Replace BOTH the timing belt and balance-shaft belt together (with tensioners and water pump) at ~100,000km - do not assume one covers the other.

Often under 100k km · ~$600-1500

mediumSuction control valve (SCV) / injector faults

Look for: A failing common-rail suction control valve or worn injectors cause surging, hard starting, black smoke and loss of power; injectors can also seize in the head making removal difficult.

If you find it: Replace the SCV; have injectors tested and replaced by a diesel specialist; use quality fuel and a good secondary filter.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-2500

mediumEGR / intake soot build-up and cracked intercooler

Look for: Carbon builds up in the intake/EGR and the intercooler or boost pipes can crack or leak, causing reduced power, poor economy and limp mode.

If you find it: Clean the intake/EGR, pressure-test the intercooler and boost piping, and replace cracked components.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-1200

mediumAutomatic transmission overheating on tow/off-road

Look for: The 5-speed auto is poorly suited to sustained heavy towing in hilly terrain and off-road crawling - it overheats and drops into limp mode, and neglected fluid shortens its life.

If you find it: Service the transmission every ~40,000km, fit a transmission cooler for towing, and avoid towing near the 3000kg limit over long hilly runs.

Any · ~$300-3000

3.0L 6G72 V6 petrol (PA)

mediumTiming belt service interval

Look for: The 6G72 is a belt-driven engine; an overdue or unknown-history timing belt is a real risk on these now-old vehicles, and a failure can cause valve damage.

If you find it: Replace the timing belt with tensioner and water pump on interval; confirm written history before buying.

~100k km · ~$500-1000

mediumWorn engine / oil burning at high km

Look for: Hard-worked, high-km V6s smoke on acceleration and burn oil from worn valve stem seals/rings, especially if servicing was skipped.

If you find it: Compression/leak-down test pre-purchase; valve stem seals or engine refresh as needed.

From 200k+ km · ~$2000-5000

mediumCooling system age (radiator, hoses, thermostat)

Look for: Original radiators, hoses and thermostats are well past their life on PA-era cars; neglect leads to overheating and head-gasket risk.

If you find it: Refresh the cooling system as part of buying; keep coolant fresh.

Any (age) · ~$300-1200

2 minor things (low severity)

lowSuspension and ride / worn front-end consumables

Look for: Standard suspension is firm and ordinary, and with age the bushes, ball joints, shocks and wheel bearings wear, worsening the ride and handling that owners already complain about.

If you find it: Refresh front-end consumables; quality aftermarket suspension improves ride and load capacity.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1200

lowInterior squeaks, rattles and dust intrusion (off-road use)

Look for: Hard off-road use loosens trim and lets dust into the cabin; rattles and seal wear are common on well-used examples.

If you find it: Re-seal and re-secure trim; check door/tailgate seals; not mechanically serious.

Any · Varies

From FlamingCars' Mitsubishi Challenger guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.