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Mitsubishi

Pajero

NS / NT / NW / NX (4th gen)· 2006-2021 suv-4wd Value
Price (AUD)
$10k-$45k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Super Select II, dual-range)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan

Overview

Sold as GLX, GLS, Exceed and VRX over a long 2006-2021 run (NS, NT, NW, NX facelifts). A unibody (monocoque) seven-seat 4WD with Super Select 4WD II - its party trick is selectable full-time 4WD that's safe to use on tarmac, plus a lockable centre diff and low range. Excellent value used: genuinely capable, comfortable and roomy. The 3.2L 4M41 turbo-diesel is the one most buyers want; a 3.8L 6G75 V6 petrol was also offered. Two big ownership notes define the 4M41: the wear-prone upper timing-chain guide (a cheap preventive fix that prevents a very expensive failure) and, on DPF-equipped cars, a strong dislike of short trips. Look after both and the 4M41 easily runs past 300,000km.

Engines & variants

3.2L 4M41 DI-D turbo diesel

Engine
3.2L common-rail DI-D turbo diesel I4
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
3200cc
Power
125kW @ 3800rpm (147kW from NW 2011)
Torque
381Nm (manual) / 441Nm (auto, NW+)
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Super Select II)
0–100
~11.5s
Economy
9-11 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 5AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (inspect/replace the wear-prone upper chain guide preventively)

Pros

  • Strong, economical and proven - 300k+ km with care
  • Super Select II 4WD is genuinely versatile
  • Plenty of torque for touring and towing
  • Cheap to buy used for the capability

Cons

  • Upper timing-chain guide wears and, if ignored, can destroy the engine
  • DPF cars (NS/NT) hate short urban-only running
  • Regen-related oil dilution if used on short trips
  • Dual-mass flywheel/clutch cost on manuals

Known problems

high
Timing-chain guide wear
The hard-plastic upper timing-chain guide wears thin; broken pieces can foul the chain and let it jump timing, causing catastrophic engine damage. The guide itself is a ~$25 part and about an hour's work - the disparity between the preventive fix and the failure cost is enormous.
Fix: Replace the upper chain guide preventively (cheap insurance). Listen for chain rattle on cold start.
From Inspect from 100k km · ~$100-200 preventive (vs $5000-6000 if it fails)
medium
DPF clogging on short trips (NS/NT)
The DPF won't regenerate properly on repeated short runs; it soot-loads and triggers forced regens. The NT improved the design before the DPF was later dropped.
Fix: Do regular 20km+ runs to allow regen; address soot loading early. Some later cars don't have a DPF.
From Any (DPF cars) · ~$500-2000
medium
Engine oil dilution from regen
Interrupted/short-trip regens dump fuel into the sump, raising and thinning the oil level over time.
Fix: Check oil level/condition regularly; shorten oil-change interval if used mostly for short trips.
From Any (DPF cars on short trips) · ~Maintenance
medium
Injector and pump wear (high km)
Injectors and the high-pressure pump wear at high km, causing rough running and smoke.
Fix: Rebuild pump/injectors preventively before failure - the engine then easily runs well past 300k.
From 200k+ km · ~$1500-3500

3.8L 6G75 V6 petrol

Engine
3.8L SOHC MIVEC V6
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3828cc
Power
184kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
329Nm @ 2750rpm
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Super Select II)
0–100
~10.0s
Economy
13-16 L/100km real world
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • No diesel after-treatment or timing-guide worry
  • Smooth, refined V6 with easy power
  • Cheaper to buy than the diesel
  • Chain-driven and robust

Cons

  • Thirsty next to the diesel
  • Less torque/range for serious touring and towing
  • Lower resale than the diesel

Known problems

low
Fuel thirst
13-16 L/100km, more when loaded/towing; not a fault.
Fix: Accept it or fit LPG.
From Any · ~Running cost
low
Intake/idle issues with age
Throttle body/idle control and intake can need cleaning at higher km for smooth idle.
Fix: Throttle body and intake service.
From 150k+ km · ~$200-600
low
Ignition coils at high km
Coil packs can fail with age causing misfires.
Fix: Replace faulty coils (and plugs).
From 150k+ km · ~$300-700

Common problems (all variants)

medium
Rear sideshaft pulls out of diff / oil leak
A known Pajero trait: a rear sideshaft (axle) can creep slightly out of the rear differential, allowing diff oil to weep past the seal.
Fix: Re-seat the sideshaft and replace the seal; some fit a retaining fix to stop recurrence.
From 100k+ km · ~$300-900
medium
INVECS-II 5-speed auto shift quality
The 5-speed auto can become jerky or flare, often from neglected fluid or a tired solenoid/valve body, rather than total failure.
Fix: Proper fluid service (it is serviceable); valve-body or solenoid work if shifting is poor.
From 120k+ km · ~$300-3000
medium
Dual-mass flywheel / clutch (manual diesel)
Manual diesels use a dual-mass flywheel that wears; replacement is a clutch-out labour job.
Fix: Replace clutch and DMF together when symptoms (rattle, shudder) appear.
From 150k+ km · ~$1800-3000
low
Front suspension ball joints / bushes
Front lower ball joints and control-arm bushes wear, causing clunks and uneven tyre wear.
Fix: Replace ball joints/bushes; wheel alignment after.
From 120k+ km · ~$300-800
low
Rust - tailgate and rear quarters (coastal)
Tailgate (around the spare-wheel mount) and rear quarters can rust on coastal/older examples.
Fix: Inspect tailgate and arches pre-purchase; treat early.
From Any · ~Varies