Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Seat belts1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the United Kingdom
3 cars built in 1986 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 12 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
17 1986 cars are on the New Zealand register; 18% arrived as used imports, 71% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mitsubishi told its dealers about the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 52633 | VALVE LASH ADJUSTER PROCEDURES - SERVICE MANUAL REVISION. *TW |
| 10170852 | This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals. |
| 10169006 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10163703 | This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label. |
| 10130469 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation