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Top issues
12 known problems · 1 high
high
Timing-chain guide wear
3.2L 4M41 DI-D turbo diesel
medium
Rear sideshaft pulls out of diff / oil leak
All engines
medium
INVECS-II 5-speed auto shift quality
All engines
Recalls
1 on record2016/15617
2016-09-02
Defect: The Takata airbag inflator propellant can degrade due to a combination of high temperatures and humidity.
Hazard: If an affected vehicle is involved in a collision triggering the airbag, the metal inflator housing may rupture, propelling metal fragments and increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Contact your local Mitsubishi dealership to arrange a free replacement airbag inflator. Use Mitsubishi's VIN look-up tool or call 1300 13 12 11 to check if your vehicle is affected.
Affected: 57,128 units, Pajero NS/NT/NW/NX, MY2007-2016
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Generations
Best and worst years for the Mitsubishi Pajero →
After: Discontinued (2021)
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
Engine code
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.
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.
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.
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.
3.8L 6G75 V6 petrol
Engine
3.8L SOHC MIVEC V6
Engine code
6G75
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.
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.
low
Ignition coils at high km
Coil packs can fail with age causing misfires.
Fix: Replace faulty coils (and plugs).