Japan · NHTSA recalls & complaints
Mitsubishi VIN decoder
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a Japanese automaker and a member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Nissan is its largest shareholder: after selling part of its holding in November 2024, Nissan held 26.67 percent and Mitsubishi Corporation 22.23 percent as of March 31, 2026, excluding shares Mitsubishi Motors holds itself. In the US, Mitsubishi's 2026 lineup is made up of crossovers: the Outlander, Outlander PHEV, Outlander Sport and Eclipse Cross. The Mirage has left the range.
Enter all 17 characters to see the build details NHTSA holds and the recalls for that model year.
- 26 model pages
- 144 recall campaigns
- 9,197 owner complaints
- model years 1995–2026
- 18 WMI codes in vPIC
- origin: Japan
| Country of origin | Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia |
| NHTSA recall and complaint data | Yes, model years 1995–2026 |
| WMI codes in NHTSA vPIC | 18 |
| Model pages | 26 |
| Other model names in NHTSA data | 10 |
| Vehicle recall campaigns | 144 |
| Owner complaints | 9,197 |
| Complaints reporting a crash | 1,074 (11.7%) |
| Complaints reporting a fire | 192 (2.1%) |
| Complaints reporting an injury | 656 (7.1%) |
| Complaints reporting a death | 29 (0.3%) |
| Data updated | September 25, 2026 |
Mitsubishi's former US plant in Normal, Illinois opened in 1988 as Diamond-Star Motors, a joint venture with Chrysler, and ended production in November 2015; Rivian bought it in January 2017 and now builds its own vehicles there. Mitsubishi's model-year 2027 VIN filing with NHTSA lists two Japanese plants for the Outlander family, Mizushima in Kurashiki, Okayama and Okazaki in Aichi, and covers both the Outlander and Outlander Sport under a single WMI, JA4.
Every Mitsubishi from model year 1981 onward has a 17-character VIN. For US-market Mitsubishis, NHTSA's vPIC database usually decodes the model, trim, engine and plant. For the Alliance partner, see Nissan; for the current owner of the Normal plant, see Rivian.
NHTSA’s files hold 144 vehicle recall campaigns and 9,197 owner complaints for Mitsubishi vehicles from model years 1995 to 2026, summarised here on 26 model pages. The Eclipse has the most complaints (1,914), followed by the Galant (1,419) and the Outlander (1,319). Of those complaints, 1,074 report a crash, 192 a fire, 656 at least one injury and 29 at least one death; the figures count complaints, not people.
The World Manufacturer Identifier is the first three characters of the VIN. NHTSA’s vPIC database decodes 18 WMIs to Mitsubishi; this is the complete list, with the manufacturer name, country and vehicle type vPIC records for each.
| WMI | Manufacturer (vPIC) | Country | Vehicle type | Also decoded as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Z2 | FCA US LLC | United States | Incomplete Vehicle | – |
| 1Z3 | FCA US LLC | United States | Truck | – |
| 1Z4 | FCA US LLC | United States | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| 1Z6 | FCA US LLC | United States | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| 1Z7 | FCA US LLC | United States | Truck | – |
| 1Z8 | FCA US LLC | United States | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| 4A3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA | United States | Passenger Car | – |
| 4A4 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA | United States | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
| 4P3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA | United States | Passenger Car | – |
| 6MM | MITSUBISHI MOTORS AUSTRALIA LTD. | Australia | Passenger Car | – |
Show the other 8 WMIsHide the rest
| WMI | Manufacturer (vPIC) | Country | Vehicle type | Also decoded as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Passenger Car | – |
| JA4 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Nissan |
| JA7 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Truck | – |
| JB4 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Dodge |
| JJ3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Passenger Car | – |
| JP4 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Passenger Car | – |
| KPH | HYUNDAI MOTOR CO | South Korea | Passenger Car | – |
| ML3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Thailand | Passenger Car | – |
Some codes are shared across a manufacturer’s brands; the last column names the other brands in our catalog that vPIC links to the same code. See the WMI code guide for how the codes are assigned.
Each model page lists NHTSA’s recall campaigns and owner complaints for that model name, by model year and component. Models are sorted by complaints; the data covers model years 1995–2026.
| Model | Model years | Recall campaigns | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse | 1995–2012 | 26 | 1,914 |
| Galant | 1995–2012 | 22 | 1,419 |
| Outlander | 2003–2026 | 41 | 1,319 |
| Lancer | 1996–2017 | 15 | 865 |
| Montero | 1995–2006 | 10 | 667 |
| Outlander Sport | 2011–2026 | 26 | 476 |
| Mirage | 1995–2024 | 8 | 465 |
| Diamante | 1995–2004 | 4 | 407 |
| Montero Sport | 1997–2009 | 4 | 348 |
| Endeavor | 2004–2011 | 12 | 296 |
| Lancer Evolution | 2003–2015 | 14 | 267 |
| Eclipse Spyder | 1995–2009 | 15 | 242 |
| 3000GT | 1995–2002 | 2 | 145 |
| Raider | 2006–2009 | 5 | 99 |
| Eclipse Cross | 2018–2025 | 2 | 60 |
| Mirage G4 | 2017–2024 | 1 | 54 |
| Lancer Ralliart | 2009–2015 | 4 | 35 |
| Spyder | 1996–2003 | 3 | 28 |
| Outlander PHEV | 2018–2026 | 9 | 20 |
| i-MiEV | 2010–2017 | 7 | 14 |
| Expo | 1995–2003 | 2 | 13 |
| Lancer SportBack | 2004–2013 | 6 | 12 |
| Nativa | 1997–2002 | 4 | 4 |
| Lancer SportBack Ralliart | 2009–2011 | 2 | 4 |
| Lancer Wagon | 2004 | 1 | 3 |
| FE180 | 2008 | 1 | – |
– means NHTSA has no records of that kind under the model name.
Other Mitsubishi models in NHTSA data
NHTSA also lists these Mitsubishi model names, but with no recall campaign and fewer than 25 complaints each, so they have no page of their own: 3000GT Spyder, Canter, Canter GE, Expo LRV, FE-HD, Lancer Sportsback, Mighty Max, Pickup, RVR, Truck.
Which WMI codes appear on Mitsubishi VINs?
Mitsubishi's 2027 filing uses JA4 for the Outlander and Outlander Sport, both classed as multipurpose passenger vehicles built in Japan. Older WMIs registered to Mitsubishi Motors North America mark vehicles built in the US.
| WMI | Manufacturer (NHTSA vPIC) | Country | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|---|
| JA4 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | MPV |
| JA3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Passenger car |
| JA7 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Japan | Truck |
| ML3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) | Thailand | Passenger car |
| 4A3 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA | United States | Passenger car |
| 4A4 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA | United States | MPV |
vPIC lists JA4 with both the Mitsubishi and Nissan makes.
How are positions 4 to 11 coded on a current Mitsubishi?
Mitsubishi's model-year 2027 VIN chart (NHTSA Manufacturer Information Database file ORG26630, June 2026) uses positions 4 to 8 for the GVWR class and restraints, the car line with its drive type, the trim or price class, the body type and the engine or electric motor. For example, position 5 is P for the Outlander Sport 2WD, R for the Outlander Sport 4WD, and 3 or 4 for the Outlander 2WD or 4WD, while position 6 marks the price class: U for medium, V for high and W for premium. Position 10 is the model year, V for 2027, and position 11 the plant:
| Position 11 | Plant | 2027 model in the chart |
|---|---|---|
| U | Mizushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan | Outlander Sport |
| Z | Okazaki, Aichi, Japan | Outlander |
Position 9 is the check digit.
Where is my Mitsubishi Outlander built?
Mitsubishi's 2027 VIN chart lists the Outlander at the Okazaki plant in Aichi, Japan, with plant code Z in position 11, and the Outlander Sport at Mizushima in Kurashiki, Okayama, with code U.
Were Mitsubishis ever built in the US?
Yes. Mitsubishi's plant in Normal, Illinois, which began in 1988 as the Diamond-Star Motors joint venture with Chrysler, built vehicles until November 2015. US-built Mitsubishis carry WMIs registered to Mitsubishi Motors North America, such as 4A3 and 4A4.
Can I check Mitsubishi recalls with the decoder?
The decoder lists recalls NHTSA has issued for your Mitsubishi's make, model and model year, using NHTSA's public data for US-market vehicles. For one VIN's open-recall status, use NHTSA's VIN search or a Mitsubishi dealer. See recalls.
Does a Mitsubishi VIN decode show accident history?
No. It shows factory data such as GVWR class, line, trim, body, engine, model year and plant. Accident, title and ownership records come from state agencies and licensed history providers, which this site does not connect to.
Brands mentioned in the notes above, then other Asian brands, each with its own VIN notes and WMI list.
- Nissan (36) Japan · 332 recall campaigns
- Rivian (4) United States · 24 recall campaigns
- Acura (22) Japan · 117 recall campaigns
- Genesis (12) South Korea · 34 recall campaigns
- Honda (127) Japan · 363 recall campaigns
- Hyundai (49) South Korea · 285 recall campaigns
Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files and NHTSA vPIC, updated September 25, 2026.