Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Problems: Used Buyer's Guide for QE Models (2015 on)

Last updated: 26 October 2026

The Pajero Sport is a tough, ute-based seven-seater with a 3,100kg tow rating. Its 2.4 diesel usually gives trouble only after high kilometres or neglect. Australian reviewers flag timing-chain and camshaft noise, harsh low-speed downshifts, DPF and EGR issues and towbar recalls. On a 2020-on car, check the dealer service record, because the 10-year warranty depends on it.

Which Pajero Sport are you looking at?

The current Pajero Sport arrived in the “dying days of 2015” in GLX, GLS and Exceed grades. It used the new Triton's 2.4-litre turbo-diesel with a compulsory eight-speed auto. Seven seats came to GLS and Exceed in 2016 (carsales).

The January 2020 facelift brought a Triton-style front, a hands-free power tailgate, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Exceed also gained an eight-inch digital instrument panel. The engine, gearbox and Super Select II 4WD carried over (4X4 Australia). Towbar maker Hayman Reese lists this model as the QF (Hayman Reese).

Later cars. 4X4 Australia notes a further update in 2021 and a minor MY24 facelift, with a GSR grade. It also says the 2015 five-star ANCAP rating doesn't apply to cars built from 1 January 2023, which are unrated (4X4 Australia).

What are the most common Pajero Sport problems?

These are issues reported by Australian motoring experts and owners. They're not failure rates. carsales says most faults show up only “after considerable mileage or neglect” (carsales).

Engine: chain, camshaft and valve clearances

• Timing chain tensioners. carsales reports tensioner wear that causes start-up noise, and sometimes a chain jumping a tooth.
• Camshaft wear and noise, which needs a workshop with the right equipment to adjust (carsales).
• Valve clearances. CarsGuide says the 4N15's chain should last the life of the car, but the engine needs valve clearance adjustments every 60,000km. Ask for proof it's been done (CarsGuide).
• Cylinder heads. Answering a 2016 Exceed owner, CarsGuide's expert said cracked heads and blown head gaskets do occur on this engine. One theory blames over-tightened or forced injector work (CarsGuide).
• Intercooler hose. A 2018 owner reported the fan pulley wearing through the intercooler hose. CarsGuide's expert said the hose needs at least 25 to 30mm of clearance from the pulley (CarsGuide).

DPF and EGR

Comparing the Pajero Sport with Toyota's Fortuner, CarsGuide's expert said both had reliability issues “mainly to do with DPF and some EGR problems”. He added that most bugs had likely been sorted by then (CarsGuide).

A diesel particulate filter cleans itself by burning off soot, and that needs heat. Drive says short, stop-start trips are a DPF's “worst nightmare”, and a regular highway run helps (Drive). So ask how the car has been used.

Gearbox and driving

• Harsh low-speed downshifts are reported by some owners. carsales recommends a transmission fluid change every 60,000km, or every 30,000km under heavy use (carsales).
• Hill starts with a heavy load can be hard work, and the 2.4 takes time to get going (carsales).
• Fuel use. CarsGuide's expert expects about 11L/100km in real driving, against an 8.0L/100km lab figure (CarsGuide).

Body and off-road wear

carsales says to look underneath for damage to the front stone tray, chassis outriggers, sills and rear pan, and for torn driveshaft boots. Damaged leather and a beaten-up cargo area point to hard use (carsales).

How does the Pajero Sport 10-year warranty transfer?

Mitsubishi's Diamond Advantage program gives a 10-year/200,000km new car warranty when all scheduled services are done at a Mitsubishi dealership, within the set service intervals. If not, the cover is 5 years or 100,000km from first registration, whichever comes first (Mitsubishi Motors Australia).

• It transfers. Mitsubishi says the new car warranty is “transferred to whoever owns the vehicle”. New owners should fill in the change of ownership notice in the Service and Warranty Booklet.
• Only while servicing continues. GoAuto says the 10-year cover is kept when sold “provided services continue at a Mitsubishi dealer” (GoAuto).
• Timing. GoAuto reported the program going permanent on 1 October 2020. Mitsubishi's page refers to standard warranty terms for vehicles purchased before 1 October 2020. A 2015–2019 QE is very unlikely to have 10-year cover, so confirm by VIN with a dealer.
• Exclusions. Mitsubishi excludes “some Government, rental and National Business customers”. GoAuto says it's for private buyers and small businesses with fewer than five vehicles.

What this means for you: on a 2020-on car, ask for every dealer service stamp or invoice. One independent service can drop the car back to 5 years/100,000km. Price that in.

What Pajero Sport recalls should I check?

We confirmed these on the federal register at vehiclerecalls.gov.au. Check any car by VIN on the register or with Mitsubishi's recall search.

The PIAK towbar is an accessory recall listed by Product Safety Australia, so a VIN check won't show it. The part number is under the driver's side of the towbar. If the car tows, rule out this towbar and confirm REC-001029 is done.

What our inspectors check on a Pajero Sport

This is what we look at, and which package includes it. It's a list of checks, not a claim that the car has these faults.

1. 1.OBD-II scan of stored, pending and live fault codes, including any DPF or EGR-related codes the system has logged. (All packages)
2. 2.Engine bay and leak check, including around the intercooler hoses, plus battery, starter and alternator tests. (All packages)
3. 3.Brake pads and tyre tread measured. (All packages)
4. 4.Full mechanical inspection. Engine (including start-up and running noises), gearbox, cooling, belts, mounts, exhaust, driveline and steering. (Comprehensive and Elite)
5. 5.Suspension bushes and mounts checked for cracking, perishing and play. (Comprehensive and Elite)
6. 6.Undertray removed where fitted, safe and permitted, with underbody photos. That's how we see the stone tray, outriggers, sills, rear pan and driveshaft boots. (Comprehensive and Elite)
7. 7.Full electrical test and interior electronics, including the display, cameras and driver aids. (Comprehensive and Elite)
8. 8.Paint and body repair indicators, plus an odometer rollback check. (Comprehensive and Elite.) A paint thickness gauge on every panel is Elite only.
9. 9.PPSR check. (Comprehensive and Elite. Essential doesn't include one)
10. 10.Cold-start assessment, the best chance to hear chain or camshaft noise. Only possible when the seller leaves the engine cold. (Elite only)
11. 11.Advanced history deep-dive covering odometer, owners, stolen or written-off status and recalls, plus a market valuation. (Elite only)

Road tests are 3–5km on Essential, 6–10km on Comprehensive and 10–12km on Elite.

How should you test-drive a used Pajero Sport?

• Ask for the engine cold. Listen in the first few seconds after start-up for rattles or ticking.
• Check the dash for warning lights, and that the digital display (on later Exceeds) comes on properly.
• Gentle take-offs and slow-speed roll-downs, several times. Feel for harsh or clunky downshifts.
• Steady 60–80km/h cruise. Feel for vibration and listen for whining.
• Watch the exhaust on start-up and under light acceleration for heavy smoke.
• 4WD on a loose surface only. If the seller agrees, select 4H briefly on gravel or grass. Only try low range there too, never on bitumen.
• After the drive, look under the car for fresh drips.

What paperwork and PPSR checks do you need?

• A PPSR check for finance owing, write-off and stolen status. It's included in Comprehensive and Elite. See PPSR check NSW.
• Dealer service records on a 2020-on car, to keep the 10-year warranty alive.
• Evidence of valve clearance adjustments and transmission fluid changes.
• Recall completion by VIN, plus the towbar part number.
• Towing history. Ask what it towed and how often.

How do you negotiate on a used Pajero Sport?

• A broken dealer service chain on a 2020-on car can cost the buyer five years of warranty. It's your strongest lever.
• No record of valve clearances or gearbox fluid past 60,000km is money you'll spend soon.
• Underbody damage to the stone tray, outriggers or sills says it's been off-road hard.
• An unknown aftermarket towbar needs checking or replacing.

Our Elite inspector can negotiate on the spot, using the findings.

Is a used Pajero Sport a good buy? Our verdict

Yes, if you buy one that's been serviced and not thrashed.

• 2015–2019 QE: the cheapest way in. Condition and service records are everything.
• 2020-on facelift: better safety tech and, if dealer-serviced, the chance of warranty cover to 10 years/200,000km.
• Any year: CarsGuide's expert rates ute-based wagons like this as tow vehicles that ride better than a ute when empty.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport FAQs

What are the most common Mitsubishi Pajero Sport problems?

Australian sources report timing-chain tensioner wear and camshaft noise on cold starts, harsh low-speed downshifts, DPF and some EGR issues, and an intercooler hose that can rub on the fan pulley. CarsGuide's expert also says cracked heads have occurred. carsales says most faults appear after high kilometres or neglect. These are reported issues, not failure rates.

Does the Pajero Sport have a timing belt or chain?

A chain. CarsGuide says the 4N15 diesel's timing chain should last the life of the vehicle, but the engine needs valve clearance adjustments every 60,000km. carsales reports chain tensioner wear causing start-up noise on some cars. Ask for proof of valve clearance work and listen carefully on a cold start.

Does the Pajero Sport 10-year warranty transfer to a new owner?

Yes, if the conditions are kept. Mitsubishi says the new car warranty transfers to whoever owns the vehicle. The 10-year/200,000km cover needs every scheduled service done at a Mitsubishi dealer. Otherwise it's 5 years or 100,000km from first registration. It went permanent in October 2020, so older QEs are unlikely to have it.

How much can a Pajero Sport tow?

3,100kg braked and 750kg unbraked, with a 310kg towball maximum, according to 4X4 Australia's MY24 review. carsales and Unsealed 4X4 also quote 3.1 tonnes. Check the towbar too: the factory towbar bolts were recalled (REC-001029), and some PIAK aftermarket towbars for the QE were recalled for cracking brackets.

Has the Pajero Sport been recalled in Australia?

Yes. REC-001029 covers loosening towbar bolts on 2015–2016 cars. REC-001035 covers corroding tailgate gas struts on 2010–2016 models. REC-005634 covers missing button-battery warnings on 2020–2022 keys. A separate accessory recall covers PIAK towbars. Check the VIN on vehiclerecalls.gov.au or Mitsubishi's recall search.

Is the Pajero Sport the same engine as the Triton?

Yes. carsales says it uses the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel as the MQ Triton, and Unsealed 4X4 says its tow rating matches too. The Pajero Sport gets an eight-speed auto only and coil-sprung rear suspension. Our Triton buyer's guide covers the shared engine in more detail.

Which inspection package suits a Pajero Sport?

Comprehensive ($329) suits most cars, with the full mechanical inspection, suspension, underbody photos, electrics and PPSR. Choose Elite ($449) for a late, high-spec car or a tow rig. It adds a cold start, a history deep-dive including recalls, a market valuation and on-site negotiation.

Do you inspect Pajero Sports in my area, and what does it cost?

Yes. We're mobile across Greater Sydney, Newcastle (including Maitland), the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong/Illawarra, 7 days. Essential is $199, Comprehensive is $329 and Elite Buyers' Protection is $449. No travel charges, the quoted price is the price, in every region we cover.

Aussie Auto Care Pty Ltd · ABN 19 701 853 090 · 02 8320 1246 · Mobile pre-purchase inspections, 7 days.

Sources

carsales, Buying a used Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (2015–18)

4X4 Australia, 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport review

4X4 Australia, 2020 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport on sale

Unsealed 4X4, Pajero Sport first drive

Hayman Reese, Towbar for Mitsubishi Pajero Sport QF

CarsGuide, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport problems (owner Q&A)

Drive, Think carefully before you buy a diesel vehicle

Mitsubishi Motors Australia, 10-year new car warranty

GoAuto, Mitsubishi moves to permanent 10-year warranty

Unsealed 4X4, Mitsubishi Diamond Advantage program

Mitsubishi Motors Australia, Vehicle recall search

REC-001029

REC-001035

REC-005634

Drive, Mitsubishi key fob battery warning recall

Product Safety Australia, PIAK rear towbars for QE Pajero Sport

PPSR