Likes
- Excellent value for money.
- Undercuts much of the competition while matching them in key areas.
- Wide support network and loyal community.
- Criminally underrated, just a great solid SUV.
Used Mitsubishi Challenger (PB/PC) review
2009 - 2013
Dislikes
- A few mechanical and reliability concerns.
- Might be a bit too bare basic for some.
- Requires intelligent modifications to be at its best.
- Many on the used market have been ruined.
Stuff you should know
- The 2009 to 2015 Mitsubishi Challenger, known internationally as the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Shogun Sport, Pajero Sport, Nativa, or Pajero Dakar, is a versatile SUV often manufactured in Thailand. It is based on the same ladder frame chassis as the Mitsubishi Triton from the same period, showcasing its robust underpinnings.
- A distinctive mechanical feature of the Challenger when compared to the Triton is its three-link rear axle with coil springs, which also contrasts with the configurations found in more modern offerings. While this setup provides certain durability and handling benefits, it remains somewhat traditional compared to newer, more sophisticated suspension systems.
- In the Australian market, the Challenger was initially available in LS and XLS variants with all-wheel drive. A base-spec rear-wheel drive option was introduced in mid-2010, which was limited to five seats. The Challenger LS and XLS variants offered flexibility, accommodating either five or seven seats and four-wheel drive.
- In 2013, Mitsubishi updated the Challenger line-up, simplifying its offerings by removing the seven-seat option and rear-wheel drive variants. This update, known as the PC series, also brought aesthetic revisions and additional technological features, enhancing the vehicle’s appeal.
- All Australian models and most international versions of the Challenger are equipped with a 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine. However, in select markets, other petrol and diesel power plants were available, offering buyers a range of choices tailored to different needs and preferences.
- The Mitsubishi Challenger is often considered one of the most underrated vehicles in its class, offering excellent value for money on the used market. It often undercuts other SUV alternatives such as the Isuzu MUX, Holden Colorado 7 and Trailblazer, Nissan Pathfinder, and high-mileage examples of Ford’s Everest and Toyota’s Fortuner. However, its lower price point also means that many used examples have suffered from poor treatment, modifications, or outright abuse.
- Given the potential for mistreatment, it’s critical for prospective buyers to understand the intrinsic issues that can arise with the Challenger. Thorough inspections and a keen eye for any signs of neglect or improper modifications are essential to ensure a wise purchase, read on to find out what to watch out for.
What goes wrong
Exterior
- When examining a 2009 to 2015 PB/PC series Mitsubishi Challenger, it’s important to ensure that any modifications are of high quality, properly installed, and fully functional.
- An inspection should include a thorough check underneath the vehicle for signs of damage, substandard repair work, and rust. Although rust and corrosion are not typical issues, their presence suggests significant saltwater exposure and inadequate cleaning, making such vehicles best avoided.
- A comprehensive vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection are essential to uncover any lingering issues, including any financial obligations attached to the vehicle. Additionally, some owners have reported thin paint and fading clear coats, particularly on silver models.
- Headlights are also noted to be subpar, but this can be improved by installing LED bulbs.
- Overall, the Challenger’s exterior is rugged, with minimal reports of electronic issues or rust problems.
Interior
- The interior of the Challenger has been plagued by faulty wiring harnesses, which can cause the airbag light to activate. The fix may be simple and affordable or require the costly replacement of the entire harness. This issue was the subject of a recall due to the potential impact on airbag deployment. Mitsubishi dealerships have resolved the issue for some, while others have encountered reluctance. Given its recall status and safety implications, persistence in addressing this issue is crucial.
- As the vehicle ages, many owners express dissatisfaction with the factory-installed head unit and speakers. Fortunately, upgrading to high-quality aftermarket options is straightforward.
- There are also reports of brittle and rattling plastics, especially around the door handles, which can break. Some owners have suggested 3D printing replacement parts to address this concern.
Mechanical
- Common mechanical problems include engine issues like poor running, surging, or a faulty suction control valve, dirty MAF sensor, or a compromised intake or boost pipe. These problems are generally manageable for a DIY enthusiast.
- Leaking or cracked intercoolers have been reported somewhat regularly
- Injector seals can experience issues, which can be difficult due to the injectors sticking in the head. It’s advisable to adjust valve clearances during injector seal replacement, as the specifications recommend this every 30,000 km. Broken rocker arms have also been reported in this area however, this is less common.
- Carbon buildup in the inlets is another issue, requiring many hours of cleaning to enhance power and fuel efficiency. Installing a catch can help prevent future carbon deposits.
- The timing belt needs replacement at 90,000 km, and there are reports of the balance shaft belt failing prematurely, causing severe engine vibration.
- The big issue can be head gasket problems, stemming from improper block machining at the factory, these have been well documented. While some owners have received assistance
Exterior
- When examining a 2009 to 2015 PB/PC series Mitsubishi Challenger, it’s important to ensure that any modifications are of high quality, properly installed, and fully functional.
- An inspection should include a thorough check underneath the vehicle for signs of damage, substandard repair work, and rust. Although rust and corrosion are not typical issues, their presence suggests significant saltwater exposure and inadequate cleaning, making such vehicles best avoided.
- A comprehensive vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection are essential to uncover any lingering issues, including any financial obligations attached to the vehicle. Additionally, some owners have reported thin paint and fading clear coats, particularly on silver models.
- Headlights are also noted to be subpar, but this can be improved by installing LED bulbs.
- Overall, the Challenger’s exterior is rugged, with minimal reports of electronic issues or rust problems.
Interior
- The interior of the Challenger has been plagued by faulty wiring harnesses, which can cause the airbag light to activate. The fix may be simple and affordable or require the costly replacement of the entire harness. This issue was the subject of a recall due to the potential impact on airbag deployment. Mitsubishi dealerships have resolved the issue for some, while others have encountered reluctance. Given its recall status and safety implications, persistence in addressing this issue is crucial.
- As the vehicle ages, many owners express dissatisfaction with the factory-installed head unit and speakers. Fortunately, upgrading to high-quality aftermarket options is straightforward.
- There are also reports of brittle and rattling plastics, especially around the door handles, which can break. Some owners have suggested 3D printing replacement parts to address this concern.
Mechanical
- Common mechanical problems include engine issues like poor running, surging, or a faulty suction control valve, dirty MAF sensor, or a compromised intake or boost pipe. These problems are generally manageable for a DIY enthusiast.
- Leaking or cracked intercoolers have been reported somewhat regularly
- Injector seals can experience issues, which can be difficult due to the injectors sticking in the head. It’s advisable to adjust valve clearances during injector seal replacement, as the specifications recommend this every 30,000 km. Broken rocker arms have also been reported in this area however, this is less common.
- Carbon buildup in the inlets is another issue, requiring many hours of cleaning to enhance power and fuel efficiency. Installing a catch can help prevent future carbon deposits.
- The timing belt needs replacement at 90,000 km, and there are reports of the balance shaft belt failing prematurely, causing severe engine vibration.
- The big issue can be head gasket problems, stemming from improper block machining at the factory, these have been well documented. While some owners have received assistance from Mitsubishi, others have not been as fortunate. It’s important to advocate for dealership support due to the high repair costs.
Transmission
- The automatic transmission in the Challenger can be prone to overheating, especially during towing or off-roading. Regular servicing every 40,000 km is crucial. Overheating triggers a limp mode, restricting the transmission to lower gears. Installing a transmission cooler and a torque converter lockup kit, particularly for towing, can significantly alleviate this problem.
Driving
- The most common complaint about the Challenger is the subpar ride and handling quality of the standard suspension. Many owners consider upgrading to a quality aftermarket setup essential for enhancing the driving experience. It’s important to use premium components and seek professional installation.
- Like many vehicles in its class, the Challenger’s engine can feel sluggish at low RPMs. This can be remedied with a throttle controller and other intelligent modifications.
Exterior
- When examining a 2009 to 2015 PB/PC series Mitsubishi Challenger, it’s important to ensure that any modifications are of high quality, properly installed, and fully functional.
- An inspection should include a thorough check underneath the vehicle for signs of damage, substandard repair work, and rust. Although rust and corrosion are not typical issues, their presence suggests significant saltwater exposure and inadequate cleaning, making such vehicles best avoided.
- A comprehensive vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection are essential to uncover any lingering issues, including any financial obligations attached to the vehicle. Additionally, some owners have reported thin paint and fading clear coats, particularly on silver models.
- Headlights are also noted to be subpar, but this can be improved by installing LED bulbs.
- Overall, the Challenger’s exterior is rugged, with minimal reports of electronic issues or rust problems.
Interior
- The interior of the Challenger has been plagued by faulty wiring harnesses, which can cause the airbag light to activate. The fix may be simple and affordable or require the costly replacement of the entire harness. This issue was the subject of a recall due to the potential impact on airbag deployment. Mitsubishi dealerships have resolved the issue for some, while others have encountered reluctance. Given its recall status and safety implications, persistence in addressing this issue is crucial.
- As the vehicle ages, many owners express dissatisfaction with the factory-installed head unit and speakers. Fortunately, upgrading to high-quality aftermarket options is straightforward.
- There are also reports of brittle and rattling plastics, especially around the door handles, which can break. Some owners have suggested 3D printing replacement parts to address this concern.
Mechanical
- Common mechanical problems include engine issues like poor running, surging, or a faulty suction control valve, dirty MAF sensor, or a compromised intake or boost pipe. These problems are generally manageable for a DIY enthusiast.
- Leaking or cracked intercoolers have been reported somewhat regularly
- Injector seals can experience issues, which can be difficult due to the injectors sticking in the head. It’s advisable to adjust valve clearances during injector seal replacement, as the specifications recommend this every 30,000 km. Broken rocker arms have also been reported in this area however, this is less common.
- Carbon buildup in the inlets is another issue, requiring many hours of cleaning to enhance power and fuel efficiency. Installing a catch can help prevent future carbon deposits.
- The timing belt needs replacement at 90,000 km, and there are reports of the balance shaft belt failing prematurely, causing severe engine vibration.
- The big issue can be head gasket problems, stemming from improper block machining at the factory, these have been well documented. While some owners have received assistance from Mitsubishi, others have not been as fortunate. It’s important to advocate for dealership support due to the high repair costs.
Transmission
- The automatic transmission in the Challenger can be prone to overheating, especially during towing or off-roading. Regular servicing every 40,000 km is crucial. Overheating triggers a limp mode, restricting the transmission to lower gears. Installing a transmission cooler and a torque converter lockup kit, particularly for towing, can significantly alleviate this problem.
Driving
- The most common complaint about the Challenger is the subpar ride and handling quality of the standard suspension. Many owners consider upgrading to a quality aftermarket setup essential for enhancing the driving experience. It’s important to use premium components and seek professional installation.
- Like many vehicles in its class, the Challenger’s engine can feel sluggish at low RPMs. This can be remedied with a throttle controller and other intelligent modifications.
Should you buy it?
The overheating issues are certainly a concern. However, it’s reasonable to assume that many of these problems have been addressed in most vehicles on the market today. Depending on your intended use, you may need to invest in modifications and accessories to optimise the Challenger’s performance.
Overall, if you find a Challenger that passes a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection, it would be challenging to find another vehicle within this budget that matches its capabilities.
The overheating issues are certainly a concern. However, it’s reasonable to assume that many of these problems have been addressed in most vehicles on the market today. Depending on your intended use, you may need to invest in modifications and accessories to optimise the Challenger’s performance.
Overall, if you find a Challenger that passes a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection, it would be challenging to find another vehicle within this budget that matches its capabilities.
Should you buy it?
The overheating issues are certainly a concern. However, it’s reasonable to assume that many of these problems have been addressed in most vehicles on the market today. Depending on your intended use, you may need to invest in modifications and accessories to optimise the Challenger’s performance.
Overall, if you find a Challenger that passes a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection, it would be challenging to find another vehicle within this budget that matches its capabilities.
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Aug 01, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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