The Mitsubishi Starion spans 1983–1990 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1987, 1986, 1988 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1983, 1984, 1985. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Mitsubishi Starion is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1983 to 1990 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mitsubishi Starion VIN — every digit explained
Every Mitsubishi Starion 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 Starion.
- 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 Starion 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 Starion have?
The Mitsubishi Starion has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1990. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1986 Mitsubishi Starion recalls 1
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
What's wrong. The 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.
Risk. The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
Fix. Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button is pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer is developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
Best and worst years for the Mitsubishi Starion
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 8 tracked years, the worst years are 1987, 1986, 1988 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1983, 1984, 1985.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Starion | — | Best | |
| 1984 Starion | — | Best | |
| 1985 Starion | — | Best | |
| 1986 Starion | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1987 Starion | Seats | Avoid | |
| 1988 Starion | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1989 Starion | — | Average | |
| 1990 Starion | — | Average |
What are the most common Mitsubishi Starion problems?
The most-reported Mitsubishi Starion problems are Seats (1 reports), Gasoline (1 reports) and Seat Belts (2 reports) — out of 5 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Seat Belts 2 Read
Seat belt failed to secure driver during accident, causing head injury/ejection. *sd
Tl* the contact owns a 1986 mitsubishi starion. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 95v103004 (seat belts); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (toms river mitsubishi, 254 rt 37 east, toms river, nj 08753, (732) 575-1200) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. *tt consumer stated contact has experienced failure seat belts on driver and pass side do not buckle. Neither drivers nor passengers front seat belts will buckle and stay fastened. Slight movement causes seat belts to release. Safety hazard . Recall says mitsubishi will warranty seat belts forever, but parts nla. Updated 10/16/18*jb
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
Defective aftermarket oil filter, which cause damage to engine, manufactured by ac delco filter part no. Tf57. Tt
Seats 1 Read
Seatbelt buckle recall parts nla: there remains an active recall for replacement of ineffective and failing seatbelt buckles for the 1987 mitsubishi starion (other years as well as chrysler conquest - same car, different name). Mitsubishi claims replacement parts to be no longer available, and will not honor the recall. This is a life-threatening problem and needs to be corrected. Being a rare, older car is no excuse.
Fuel System 1 Read
Strong smell of gas in passenger compartment from fuel injectors. *dsh
Gasoline 1 Read
Strong smell of gas in passenger compartment from fuel injectors. *dsh
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mitsubishi Starion specifications & dimensions
The 1990 Mitsubishi Starion. 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 Starion cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Starion 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 Starion 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 Starion get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Mitsubishi Starion have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Mitsubishi Starion cost to own?
A Mitsubishi Starion 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 Starion 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 Starion 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 Starion safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Starion yet.
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How many miles does a Mitsubishi Starion last?
A well-maintained Mitsubishi Starion typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Decode your Mitsubishi Starion’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Mitsubishi Starion model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mitsubishi Starion — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Starion | 0 | — | — |
| 1989 Starion | 0 | — | — |
| 1988 Starion | 0 | — | — |
| 1987 Starion | 0 | — | — |
| 1986 Starion | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1985 Starion | 0 | — | — |
| 1984 Starion | 0 | — | — |
| 1983 Starion | 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 Starion?
By owner-complaint volume, 1987, 1986, 1988 drew the most reports. 1983, 1984, 1985 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Starion have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1990. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Starion last?
A well-maintained Starion typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Starion reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Starion is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Mitsubishi Starion 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 Starion made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Starion'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 Starion 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.