Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior The paintwork is very thin and chips quickly turn yellow, but the body itself holds up well. Corrosion develops fastest around the windshield or on the rear door. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with cheap materials that still look good. However, the durability against wear and tear is weak, especially for the leather on the steering wheel and seats. The electrical system in the cabin causes a lot of trouble, with glitches and malfunctions occurring constantly.
Engine The 2.4-liter gasoline engine G4KE is very reliable, but not without its weaknesses. The main problem is the turning of inserts due to drops in lubrication pressure. The 2.7-liter gasoline engine G6EA has a huge lifespan of up to 500,000 km. However, apart from high fuel consumption, it is plagued by ignition system failures. The 2.2-liter turbo diesel D4EB, which was used before the facelift, is quite temperamental. It experiences various issues, from turbine breakdowns to camshaft lifter wear. The 2.2-liter turbo diesel D4HB, introduced after the facelift, is much better. Its main problems are associated with the fuel system and EGR valve.
Transmission The 5-speed manual transmissions M5GF2 and M5HF2 are fairly reliable and trouble-free. The 6-speed manual transmissions M6GF2 and M6LF1 are also strong, but the clutch and flywheel are expensive to replace. The 4-speed automatic transmission F4A51, inherited from Mitsubishi, is known for its high longevity. The 5-speed automatic transmission A5HF1 is also based on a reliable 5-AT from Mitsubishi. The 6-speed automatic transmissions A6MF2 and A6LF3 initially had some flaws, but they were fixed by the dealers. The main concerns are related to the all-wheel drive transmission, and there are several issues with the friction clutch, seals, and spline connections.
Suspension The suspension has a decent lifespan, and the spare parts for it are inexpensive and widely available. On forums, the only constant complaint is about quickly sagging rear shocks. The brakes are somewhat weak, but they last long, except for the handbrake, which tends to rust regularly. The steering rack is also reliable, and interestingly, there are more complaints about the facelift version.
