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Mitsubishi Pajero 2012 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Mitsubishi Pajero review: 2001-2016

When introduced to Australia in 1983, the Mitsubishi Pajero was arguably the first affordable 4WD that was a family wagon rather than a truck-based 4WD.

However, this is a genuine SUV, not a passenger car with a tough looking body, Pajero is competent off-road, being able to handle most situations likely to be encountered by an adventurous family in the great Aussie countryside or on beaches.

Though it began its life in downunder as a body-on-chassis 4WD, it became a monocoque for improved ride and comfort in 2000. Good engineering meant the post-2000 models retained similar strength to the chassis models. All have a low-range case for tough, slow conditions.

While we are considering the monocoque models from the year 2000 in this feature you should be aware the older ones may be past their use-by date. Unless you can do a fair bit of your own mechanical work you're probably better off considering models from the new generation in December 2006.

Mitsubishi’s sophisticated Super Select drivetrain permits the use of all-wheel-drive under any circumstance. For example, safe traction on wet sealed roads if you opt for AWD, or lower fuel consumption on dry dirt roads if you go for 2WD. AWD can be engaged or disengaged on the fly at any speed up to 100 km/h.

Midway through 2013 Pajero was brought right up to date in its infotainment and safety equipment. These models are popular with buyers who can't come up with the dollars to buy a brand new one.

Mitsubishi Pajero comes as a station wagon with either two or four passenger doors. The two-door was never particularly popular and imports stopped with the all-new model of 2000. They reappeared with the when the new model was launched at the start of end of 2006, then disappeared due to lack of buyer interest in 2010.

All short-wheelbase Pajeros have five seats, the long-wheelbase models have either five or seven. The rearmost two seats in the seven-seat models are better suited to kids than adults but with a bit of squeezing up the Pajero can handle seven grown-ups.

Though the first Pajeros had a petrol four-cylinder engine, all petrols under review here are V6s. This was a 3.5 twin-cam unit until September 2003 when it was uprated to a 3.8-litre.

Diesel power is preferred by most buyers, the large four-cylinder units, 2.8 then 3.2 litres, have good torque and seem to enjoy hard work.

Pajero is offered in manual and automatic transmissions, with the latter being almost universal in later years.

The Australian Mitsubishi dealer network is long established and well-organised. Spare parts are generally available for all but the oldest models. Prices can be relatively high as 4WD bits are more rugged and can come as a surprise if you've only owned sedans in the past.

Insurance premiums are about average for this class and there doesn’t seem to be much difference of opinion on the insurance risk amongst the major insurance companies.

Note that the Pajero Sport launched at the end of 2015 is actually a replacement for the outgoing Challenger, not an additional version of the standard Pajero range.

If you suspect a Pajero has been used off-road look for damage to door sills, door surfaces and bumper corners. Be very wary if the protection plates have been pushed up onto the mechanical items move them.

Check out the interior carefully because carting bored kids about can be tough on any vehicle. Damage to the cargo area is another sign of hard use.

Poor engine maintenance is hard on turbos and can lead to complete failure if the oil hasn't been changed on time. Check the service book.

Be sure all gears in a manual box engage easily and that the clutch is light and quiet in its action.

Automatic transmissions should go into Drive and Reverse promptly and easily.

Listen for, and feel for, noises and roughness in the complete driveline.

Make sure the brakes pull the Pajero up evenly, even on dirt.

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Tesla Model S and X, Merc C-Class, Mitsubishi Pajero and Range Rover Sport recalls
Tesla has issued a voluntary recall for its electric Model S sedan and Model X SUV after discovering a potential manufacturing issue that could stop the electric park brake from functioning properly.
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800,000 cars recalled in two days
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Used Mitsubishi Pajero review: 1991-2015

Mitsubishi Pajero is often seen as being a tough looking people mover rather than a real 4WD, which is a pity because it's pretty competent off-road and can handle most situations likely to be encountered by an adventurous holiday in the bush.

Mitsubishi Pajero comes as an SUV with either two or four passenger doors. The two-door was never particularly popular and imports stopped with the all-new model of 2000, only to make a brief re-appearance when the new model was launched at the start of 2007, then pulled again in 2010.

The early two-door Mitsubishi Pajeros are shorter, lighter and more nimble than the four-doors. They provide plenty of fun at the beach and in tight off-road work. However, they are noticeably less roomy in the back seat and boot. The later ones are better for space, but have the usual problem of difficult access to the back seats because of high-ground-clearance. Kids are happy back there, but grandparents may not be all that keen.

All short-wheelbase Pajeros have five seats, the long-wheelbase models have either five or seven. The rearmost two seats in the seven-seat models are better suited to kids than adults but with a bit of squeezing up the Pajero can handle seven grown-ups.

The Pajero had body-on-chassis until 2000, although it was relatively refined for its type. Realising that most people demanded more comfort it was then given a monocoque (one-piece) body, something it has had ever since. Good engineering meant the post-2000 models retained similar strength to the chassis models.

The excellent Mitsubishi Super Select 4WD setup permits the use of 4WD under any circumstance. For example, safe traction on wet sealed roads if you opt for 4WD, or lower fuel consumption on dry dirt roads if you go for 2WD. Or anything in between. 4WD can be engaged or disengaged on the fly at any speed up to 100 km/h.

A 2.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine was once common in the Pajero. It was discontinued in 1993 and most are now likely to be close to their use-by date. An honest enough performer, the four-cylinder was soon overshadowed by the V6s.

The older V6s are 3.0-litre units, a 3.5 twin-cam unit was introduced in the topline Pajero Exceed in November 1993 and later moved down to the rest of the petrol Pajero range. A 3.8-litre V6 was introduced in September 2003. 

Diesel power is relatively common in the early Pajeros, but fell from favour for a while before bouncing back in the early 2000s. The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel has plenty of torque and is reasonably economical. The 3.2-litre four-cylinder intercooled turbo-diesel from 2002 on is one of our favourite powerplants.

Five-speed manuals are offered in all but the topline Pajero Exceed. It wasn't until 1995 that a manual was sold with the 3.5-litre V6. A four-speed automatic transmission works well enough, but the new five-speed auto introduced in 2000 is significantly better. As well as having the added ratio they run a sophisticated sequential system to give you a good degree of manual control.

The Australian Mitsubishi dealer network is long established and well-organised. Spare parts are generally available for all but the oldest models.

Prices can be relatively high as 4WD bits are more rugged and can come as a surprise if you've only owned sedans in the past.

Insurance premiums are moderate for this class and there doesn't seem to be much difference of opinion on the insurance risk amongst the major players.

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Toyota Prado: Towing capacity

No. The manufacturer determines the vehicle's towing capacity taking into consideration things like the design of the vehicle, its rear axle load, tyres and the effect the trailer will have on the vehicle's attitude and stability. You can measure the tow ball weight using bathroom scales, or putting the laden trailer across a weighbridge and getting the weight borne by the axle/axles. The tow ball weight will be the total weight minus the load on the axle/  axles. It's generally about 10 percent of the total weight of the loaded trailer.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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