The Mitsubishi Space Wagon spans 1987–1988 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Mitsubishi Space Wagon — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Mitsubishi Space Wagon is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1987 to 1988 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mitsubishi Space Wagon VIN — every digit explained
Every Mitsubishi Space Wagon carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Mitsubishi and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Space Wagon.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your Space Wagon VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Space Wagon have?
The Mitsubishi Space Wagon has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1987–1988. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Mitsubishi Space Wagon
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Mitsubishi Space Wagon — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Mitsubishi Space Wagon problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Mitsubishi Space Wagon — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mitsubishi Space Wagon specifications & dimensions
The 1988 Mitsubishi Space Wagon. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Mitsubishi Space Wagon cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Space Wagon holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Mitsubishi Space Wagon tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Mitsubishi Space Wagon get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Mitsubishi Space Wagon have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Mitsubishi Space Wagon cost to own?
A Mitsubishi Space Wagon depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Space Wagon loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Space Wagon ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Mitsubishi Space Wagon safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Space Wagon yet.
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How many miles does a Mitsubishi Space Wagon last?
A well-maintained Mitsubishi Space Wagon typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Decode your Mitsubishi Space Wagon’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Mitsubishi Space Wagon model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mitsubishi Space Wagon — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Space Wagon | 0 | — | — |
| 1987 Space Wagon | 0 | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Space Wagon?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Mitsubishi Space Wagon.
How many recalls does the Space Wagon have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1987–1988. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Space Wagon last?
A well-maintained Space Wagon typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Space Wagon reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Mitsubishi Space Wagon — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Mitsubishi Space Wagon warranty?
New Mitsubishi models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Mitsubishi dealer.
Where is the Mitsubishi Space Wagon made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Space Wagon's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Mitsubishi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Space Wagon have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.