Would my 2023 Mitsubishi Challenger head gasket problem be covered by warranty?

Some Mitsubishi models in the past have had problems with a rough surface on the head-gasket sealing surface of the crankcase,. This has led to head gaket failures and coolant loss. This was fixed by about 2014 with a different machining process at the factory, so this could be your problem. At the time, Mitsubishi issued a service bulletin for this problem and was modifying cars to fix them. However, whether this bulletin would still apply in 2025 is the big question. However, it would certainly be worth contacting Mitsubishi Australia’s customer service department to see if there’s still assistance available.

What is the roof load-rating on a 2014 Mitsubishi Challenger?

Most factory roof bar systems are only designed for light duty stuff and will have a maximum capacity of between about 50kg and 100kg. So, by the time you add your 75kg tent plus whatever humans are going to be sleeping in it, you’d be way over the limit and in real danger of collapsing the whole deal onto the car’s roof panel. Most people who fit roof-top tents or use that real estate to store things like spare tyres, fuel cans and camping gear, opt for an aftermarket roof-rack system which is much better able to cope with higher loads. Try a four-wheel-drive accessories store in the first instance and remember that to make a roof-top tent as safe as possible, you’ll also need to find a ladder that fits the car properly to get in and out safely. The good news is the Challenger was and is a popular choice for campers, so you should be able to find what you need on the aftermarket.

Will Mitsubishi assist in fixing a blown head gasket in my 2004 Mitsubishi Challenger

Under Australian Consumer Law, all brand-new cars sold here must come with a factory warranty, but it’s up to the manufacturer where to set the time and distance limits for that model. But even the most generous car-maker isn’t going to apply a warranty to a car that is now two decades old and has covered goodness knows how many kilometres. For reference, most new-car warranties now cover a vehicle for between five and seven years. You will sometimes find a manufacturer will help out with some of the cost of repairs if the vehicle is only slightly out of warranty (and then, usually on a pro-rata basis). And that will only ever happen if the vehicle is question has an absolutely perfect service record. If your engine has multiple problems, the best advice might be to look for a good, tested second-hand engine and replace the whole thing.

Problems with engine light in a 2011 Mitsubishi Challenger

This definitely does sound like a build-up of carbon and soot inside the intake system of the engine. Believe it or not, this is not an uncommon problem and occurs partly because of the emissions controls forced upon engine manufacturers. The diesel engine in your car features an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system which means the engine inhales a portion of its exhaust so that it goes through the engine twice and is burned more completely. That's good for emissions, but it means that exhaust soot is being consumed by the engine via the intake system. Combine that with the oily fumes from the crankcase ventilation system (which also feeds into the intake) and you can soon wind up with a black, sticky, sooty glug that blocks the internal airways much as cholesterol blocks human blood vessels. In some cases, the only way to fix this is to remove the intake system and manually clean it out. This can be time consuming and expensive, but could easily be why your check-engine light is being triggered. The other bads news is that this could happen again over time. The solution to that is to fit a quality air-oil separator (also known as a catch-can) which keeps the oil fumes out of the equation.

My 2011 Mitsubishi Challenger keeps dropping into neutral off-road

This model Challenger did have a history of engine overheating, largely due to poor surface preparation between the cylinder head and crankcase, allowing coolant to be consumed by the engine. Mitsubishi made production changes that resulted in a smoother head-gasket mating surface, but that's no help to owners of the earlier version. In any case, that probably shouldn't affect the transmission and if it's dropping into neutral of its own accord then something – possibly electronic – is going wrong., It's unlikely to be a limp-home response as being in neutral doesn't allow you to limp anywhere, let alone home. But it could be a legitimate response to a transmission heat situation. Have you checked the level of transmission fluid? A scan of the vehicle might throw up a clue, but it could also easily be something as simple as a transmission selector that is poorly adjusted and allowing the gearbox to select neutral on rough on uneven ground. Another possibility is that the transmission is, indeed, getting hot as a result of the engine temperature creeping up. The transmission cooler is part of the engine's cooling system, so the two are definitely linked.

What is the 'standard eyebrow height' of a 2014 Mitsubishi Challenger manual transmission?

The eyebrow height is measured from the centre of the wheel, vertically to the edge of the wheel arch. The vehicle needs to be on flat ground and unladen for this measurement to be taken. In the case of a 2014 Challenger, the standard front eyebrow height is 542mm and the rear eyebrow height is 552mm.

How do I know if my Mitsubishi Challenger has a fuel blockage?

A fuel blockage is definitely one possibility. When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? But in the case of the earlier, petrol-powered Challenger, don’t disregard other things such as an ignition problem which could involve spark plugs, ignition leads or some component of the distributor or coil(s). Has the vehicle sat idle for any length of time? Modern fuel goes `off’ pretty quickly and poor or rough running is a classic symptom of that phenomenon. If your car is the later diesel version, the same comments regarding the fuel filter apply, but the situation is magnified as the fuel systems on these modern, common-rail turbo-diesels are quite complex and run at enormous injection pressures. Sorting out a rough running problem in one of these Later Challengers is best done by first electronically scanning the vehicle to see if its on-board computer throws up any fault codes. Those messages can then be decoded and you’ll have a much better idea of what’s wrong. Frankly, the problem could be anything form a high-pressure pump failing to a throttle-position sensor sending false information back to the computer.

What is causing my 2009 Mitsubishi Challenger to cut out?

If the engine runs when you apply some throttle but won’t idle, I’d be drawn to the idle stepper-motor which is a small electronic actuator that is designed to keep the engine at a stable, steady idle when no throttle is applied. It’s a pretty simple fix, but I’d also check things such as fuel delivery pressure and ensure that the ignition system is in good condition, also. Don’t forget air and fuel filters, either, they’re simple things but critical to how an engine behaves. Low battery voltage can also make an engine like the Challenger’s play up at idle, too. Also, have the throttle-position sensor checked. If this fails, it can leave the computer guessing about what the accelerator pedal is trying to tell it.

Is my A/C cycling too frequently

It does sound as if the compressor is cycling too frequently. Take it too an air-conditioning mechanic and have the system checked. The fluid might need topping up.

Mitsubishi Challenger 2001 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Mitsubishi Challenger 2001 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 1998-2013

9 Sep 2014 · by Ewan Kennedy

When launched in 1998, the Mitsubishi Challenger was virtually a Mitsubishi Triton pickup with a station wagon body. Over the years it has became more slightly more sophisticated but still shares ...

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 1998-2012

29 Jan 2013 · by Ewan Kennedy

When introduced to Australia in 1998, the Mitsubishi Challenger was virtually a Triton pickup fitted with a station wagon body. Over the years it retained parts in common with the Triton but became ...

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 2000-2006

18 Aug 2011 · by Graham Smith

The Challenger was the product of an earlier era when it was expected that four-wheel drive vehicles would be rough and tough.Its roots could be traced back to the previous generation of the rugged ...

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 1998-2007

17 Jan 2011 · by Ewan Kennedy

Mitsubishi Challenger is a genuine 4WD, not a soft-roader dressed up to look like the real thing. In its early days, back at its Australian introduction in 1998, the Challenger was virtually a ...

Mitsubishi Challenger 2001: Are there any issues with LPG conversion?

Answered by CarsGuide 3 May 2007

THERE'S no problem about converting the Challenger to run on LPG. Like any Mitsubishi in recent years, the Challenger's engine is LPG-compatible. You can convert it with confidence.

Engine

Search from Over 8,000 questions Over 8,000 questions answered by CarsGuide

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.

Complete Guide to Mitsubishi
Challenger

Reviews, price, specs and more

Reviews

Family
Family focused reviews and advice for everything family car related.
Adventure
Off-road for beginners and the experienced, plus camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes
Tradies
Utes, commercial vehicles and tow tests

Compare cars
We make it easy to compare design, practicality, value and more
Used cars
Buying used? Here's what to look out for and buy smart
Owner reviews
Your thoughts could drive you to more than just your next destination 🚗💬

Buying guides

Our experts pick the top models
- SUV
- Ute
- Hybrid
- Hatchback
- Electric
- Sedan
- Wagon
- Coupe
- People mover
- Convertible
- Commerical

Mitsubishi Challenger 2001 Problems

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 1998-2013

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 1998-2012

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 2000-2006

Used Mitsubishi Challenger review: 1998-2007

Mitsubishi Challenger 2001: Are there any issues with LPG conversion?

Search from Over 8,000 questions Over 8,000 questions answered by CarsGuide

Complete Guide to MitsubishiChallenger

Related cars for sale

cars

guide

Complete Guide to Mitsubishi
Challenger