Mitsubishi›Mighty Max›1991›3.0L/mitsubishi/mighty-max/1991/3-0l/

1991 Mitsubishi Mighty Max — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Mighty Max 3.0L.

Engine 3.0L

Powered by a 3.0L engine, the 1991 Mitsubishi Mighty Max is a platform that requires 4.5 quarts of oil in 20W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API viscosity grades to maintain proper lubrication. Its reliability profile includes 11 total owner complaints and a single recall, with the seat belts registering as the top complaint area. However, within the broader 1990–1996 model complaint history, 1991 registers as the highest year for owner grievances, meaning this model year represents the least reliable point in the generation's trajectory before subsequent improvements drove complaints down to a low of just three in 1996.

Model year1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter MZ690116. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MZ690116 alt MZ690072
Engine air filter	MR571471
Fuel filter	MB504754 alt MB504755
Spark plug	MS851238 alt MS851237
Front wiper blades	MB415739
Serpentine belt	MZ690277 alt MB958692
Thermostat	MD972903 alt MD184011

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5 Pints,
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	Use Mitsubishi PS fluid

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 80,000 mi	Oxygen Sensor (replace) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Mighty Max sits at the peak of the complaint trend with 11 complaints—the highest in the available record—and is tied with 1990 as the only years with a recall (1 each). Complaints then decline steadily through 1996 (3 complaints), while Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) rise sharply from 5 in 1991 to 19 in 1996, indicating that later model years received more factory-acknowledged fixes. The 1991’s top complaint areas are seat belts (4), tires (2), electrical system (2), and powertrain (1), with zero crash or fire reports. This suggests the 1991 had some early-production issues that were likely addressed in subsequent years, as recalls stopped after 1991 and complaints fell. **Given the higher complaint count and the presence of a recall, the 1991 is not the most reliable year to buy; a later model (1992 or 1994) would offer fewer complaints and no recalls, making it a stronger choice for a used purchase.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91’92 ’94 ’95 ’96

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Seat Belts4

Tires2

Electrical System2

Power Train1

Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other1

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103004Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT253	2019-11-26	Equipment	This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-008	2019-07-30	Equipment	This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT237	2018-02-26	Equipment	This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-13-42A-002	2013-01-29	Structure	This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section…
TSB9515001	1995-01-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	IMPROVED EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUD. *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mighty Max. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter MZ690116 Engine air filter MR571471 Fuel filter MB504754 Spark plug MS851238

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Mighty Max 3.0L take?

4.5 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Mighty Max have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.