JA7FL24D0JP0466541988 MITSUBISHI Mighty Max
1988 MITSUBISHI Mighty Max was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
1988 MITSUBISHI Mighty Max
1988 MITSUBISHI Mighty Max was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- 1 open recall — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- Safety Systems is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
9 owner complaints filed — top areas: Safety Systems (78%), Suspension/Wheels (11%), Engine/Powertrain (11%).
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- MITSUBISHI
- Model
- Mighty Max
- Year
- 1988
- Trim / Series
- Conventional Cab - Short
- Body Style
- Pickup
- Vehicle Type
- TRUCK
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.8L
- Manufacturer
- MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC)
- Assembly
- NAGOYA, JAPAN
- GVWR
- Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: NAGOYA, JAPAN
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
1 RECALLNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 1 recall below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 1 recall is ~58%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
MITSUBISHI has a below-average recall completion rate (80%). Open recalls on this vehicle may go unaddressed longer than average (~24 months). Verify completion before purchase.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~24 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SummaryTHE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.Read full details...
~42% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
Complaint Intelligence
9 complaints analyzed across 3 system categories
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME9 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 MITSUBISHI MIGHTY MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE TONGUE FROM THE BUCKLE OF THE SEAT BELT, THE TONGUE SEIZED IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WESTGATE MITSUBISHI (4809 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, (919) 890-5500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED DUE TO BUBBLES IN THE TREA/BELTS.
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MECHAMISM FAILED. PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT HAVE PARTS UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER. RECALL#95V103004.*AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK. *DH
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE THERE IS PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE SO IT WILL NOT LATCH THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN. TT
THE DRIVERS SEATBELT NO LONGER BUCKLES. WHEN CLIP IS PUT INTO END OF BUCKLE IT POPS BACK OUT. TT
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE BROKEN. TT
BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH. TT
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 9 NHTSA complaints on file for the MITSUBISHI Mighty Max — a relatively low volume that spans from 1995 to 2018.
The amber reliability line averaged 100/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 99/100 in 1995.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $34,114 (~$569/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 1988 MITSUBISHI Mighty Max — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JA7FL24D0JP046654. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JA7FL24D0JP046654 |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Make | MITSUBISHI |
| Model | Mighty Max |
| Series | Conventional Cab - Short |
| Vehicle Type | TRUCK |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.8 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) |
| Assembly City | NAGOYA |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JA7 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 0 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | J |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | P |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 046654 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 1 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 9 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/2/2026, 1:13:23 PM.