2004 Mitsubishi L200 from UK and Ireland - Comments

I bought the L200 as Mitsubishi Warriors had such a great reputation but at only 68000 miles I had to buy a replacement engine and due to a very common and extremely expensive engine fault that most 2003/2004 models have. The problem happened with almost no warning; driving at 60 mph, a tapping noise developed from the engine area into a clanking sound as I slowed down becoming an awful, loud metallic clunking sound. The bottom end of the engine had disintegrated, crankshaft gone etc. The repair bill-£3500 for a reconditioned engine.

The 4 wheel drive warning light permanently blinks green which drives you mad. I have been told this is another common fault with the L200.

Two months after the engine replacement it needed a new clutch plate.

If towing or when load is put on the car for example if accelerating hard the engine warning light comes on and a loss of power forces you to stop, wait until a 'click' is heard then its OK to restart the engine as the warning light goes out.

At the moment the car will not start. The battery is fully charged but the engine slowly turns over as if the battery is low then will not turn over at all but the next turn of the key it will start first time as normal and this happens time and time again.

I have been told that the excessive clattering noise from beneath the bonnet is not the engine, not because 'diesels are noisy' but that the thrust bearings are on their way out. The car has only done 70,000 miles!

Great looking car! Really turns heads and everyone notices it especially when driving past on the back of a RAC recovery truck.

A comfortable ride in the front but dead flat seat suspension, poor leg room and visibility in the back.

Fuel consumption is about 26 miles per gallon if driven carefully, with no load and with the wind behind it. Claims of 35 mpg should be ignored.

Not bad road handling even on wet roads but slow to accelerate but then it's a pick up and not a car so should be expected.

Agree that the fog light switches are in a stupid place and should be where you can see them. Heater very good.

I have driven other 4x4's and have been driving for 33 years and have never had such terrible mechanical problems with any of my cars. The Mitsubishi Warrior L200 03/04 model should be avoided at all costs. Can't sell mine now and will run it into the ground rather than pay for more really expensive repairs. I cannot understand how Mitsubishi can manufacture the new model in the full knowledge that the 03/04 engines fall apart and do not recognise this fault or make recompense to customers.

These engine replacements happen at about 50,000 miles. An identical L200 (54,000 miles) was on the ramps having a cylinder head repair when mine went in for a new engine then two weeks later I saw another on a breakdown truck and one more in a service station beltching out black smoke with the engine clattering same problem as mine and was just one month outside of warranty!

I had same problem; head gasket went, then the cylinder head was cracked, then needed new bottom end. Will have to run into ground, no other choice having spent so much on it.

I have a 2003 L200 double cab with full service history and serviced only 4 months ago it has done only 92,000 on driving into work it started tapping then a loud clanging like a hammer in a bucket so that was the end of the bottom end.

It is at present with the dealers in bits and according to them No 2 big end has come loose and damaged the crank, rods, liner, piston and so on and is now a scrap lump of metal so I understand the frustration.

We are in discussion with the manufacturers, warranty company and also have had discussions with some of the motoring press about the problem (s) as it has emerged this is no isolated issue. I will also never buying another Mitsi as we had been looking at a new one with the dealers. it could all go for spares at this rate!

Just found this website as I was looking for the cost of a new engine for My L200 warrior. Doing 70mph on the M40, massive bang & the contents of the engine deposited in the guard underneath the engine. Bill for repair more than the value of the truck, only done 60K & mostly motorway easy miles with no load. My trucks effectively written off I only bought it in 2003!. Full service history but didn't extend the warranty after 3 years, big mistake! main dealer reckons no joy will be forthcoming from Mitsibushi (Oxford Motorworld) gutted to say the least as the truck still looks great.

My 54 plate L200 Warrior developed a knocking noise at 58,000 miles, so I now need a new engine. This problem is now widespread for 03 and 04 models, and Mitsubishi should take some responsibility. There is no doubt that there is a design fault, and it is not fair that Mitsubishi ignores its existence.

My next motor will be a BMW, at least they have the common decency to admit where they went wrong and put it right.

I have experienced the same problems my vehicle is a 2004 L200 Warrior with a FSH. The head gasket went within the first two years, and now at 30,000 miles and five years the bottom end has fallen apart. Mitsubishi have quoted the value of the vehicle to repair. I am annoyed like so many others that they cannot admit their fault and sort the problem out. They have certainly lost me and probably anyone I talk to as future customers.