The Mitsubishi Tredia spans 1983–1988 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1984, 1987, 1986 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1983, 1988, 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 Tredia is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1983 to 1988 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mitsubishi Tredia VIN — every digit explained
Every Mitsubishi Tredia 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 Tredia.
- 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 Tredia 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 Tredia have?
The Mitsubishi Tredia has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1988. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1983 Mitsubishi Tredia recalls 2
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
What's wrong. On some of the involved vehicles, the fuel filler hose may break in a rear-end collision. The failure of the hose and resulting fuel leakage is not in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity".
Fix. The dealer will install a fuel filter hose protector on the fuel filler hose to prevent fuel leakage at no charge to owner.
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. Snap pin could interfere with the throttle mechanism. If the accelerator pedal is heavily depressed, the throttle could become stuck in the open position. Normally, when accelerator pedal is released, throttle closes and vehicle speed decreases.
Fix. Metal will be removed from the choke housing cover to provide clearance for the throttle lever assembly. In addition, the clevis snap pin will be repositioned and a recall identification sticker will be installed if found necessary.
Best and worst years for the Mitsubishi Tredia
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 1984, 1987, 1986 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1983, 1988, 1985.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Tredia | — | Best | |
| 1984 Tredia | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1985 Tredia | Seat Belts | Best | |
| 1986 Tredia | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1987 Tredia | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1988 Tredia | — | Best |
What are the most common Mitsubishi Tredia problems?
The most-reported Mitsubishi Tredia problems are Gasoline (1 reports), Seat Belts (2 reports) and Fuel System (1 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
The driver side seat belt did not function properly in a vehicle collision. Tt
Drivers seat belt buckle does not engage unless you push release button slightly, then insert male part of buckle. Tt
Engine And Engine Cooling 2 Read
Vehicle has failed emission system, recall on components however consumer has not received recall notices.
Egr valve failed. *dh
Fuel System 1 Read
Carburetor failed. *dh
Gasoline 1 Read
Carburetor failed. *dh
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mitsubishi Tredia specifications & dimensions
The 1988 Mitsubishi Tredia. 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 Tredia cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Tredia 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 Tredia 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 Tredia get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Mitsubishi Tredia have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Mitsubishi Tredia cost to own?
A Mitsubishi Tredia 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 Tredia 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 Tredia 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 Tredia safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Tredia yet.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Mitsubishi Tredia last?
A well-maintained Mitsubishi Tredia 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 Tredia’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Mitsubishi Tredia model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mitsubishi Tredia — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Tredia | 0 | — | — |
| 1987 Tredia | 0 | — | — |
| 1986 Tredia | 0 | — | — |
| 1985 Tredia | 0 | — | — |
| 1984 Tredia | 0 | — | — |
| 1983 Tredia | 2 recalls | — | — |
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 Tredia?
By owner-complaint volume, 1984, 1987, 1986 drew the most reports. 1983, 1988, 1985 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Tredia have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1988. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Tredia last?
A well-maintained Tredia typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Tredia reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Tredia is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Mitsubishi Tredia 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 Tredia made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Tredia'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 Tredia 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.