MitsubishiMighty Max19872.0L/mitsubishi/mighty-max/1987/2-0l/

1987 Mitsubishi Mighty Max — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 Mighty Max 2.0L.

Engine 2.0L

The 1987 Mitsubishi Mighty Max is a 2.0L vehicle whose 3.7-quart engine oil capacity accepts 20W-20, 20W-40, or 20W-50 viscosity grades, anchoring one of the earlier entries in the model's production run. Its own complaint file is notably thin — just five owner reports, with seat belts as the leading category and only a single recall on file — pointing to a debut year free of the systemic problems that would surface later. Measured against the model's broader 1990–1996 record, where 1991 produced the worst showing at eleven complaints and 1996 the best at three, the 1987's five sit cleanly in the lower, more dependable portion of that spread. For researchers, that positioning makes this year a useful baseline — the relatively clean reference point against which the lineup's bumpier middle years can be judged.

Model year1989198819871986198519841983

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50OEM · 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 filterMZ690116
Engine air filterMD604880 alt MD604887
Fuel filterMB433774
Spark plugMS851188
Front wiper bladesMB415739
Serpentine beltMB239498 alt MZ690276
ThermostatMD972903 alt MD184011

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt
Power Steering FluidUse 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 miBrake 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 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Jet Valve (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 50,000 miCarburetor (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · Air Injection System Solenoid Control Valve Air (replace) · Distributor Assembly (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Thermostatically Controlled Air Cleaner Assembly (inspect)

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 federal record begins after the 1987 model year, so there are no complaint, recall, investigation or TSB counts available for the Mighty Max’s inaugural year. From the earliest data point (1990) through 1996, the vehicle shows a modest and generally declining complaint volume (7 → 3) and a sharp drop in recall activity after 1991 (1 → 0), while technical service bulletins rise steadily (5 → 19). This pattern suggests that early‑generation issues were largely addressed in the early 1990s, with fewer new problems emerging in later years. Because 1987 sits at the very start of the generation—before the documented decline in complaints and recalls—it likely experienced the higher baseline of unresolved issues that the later data reflect being mitigated. **Takeaway:** without specific federal data for 1987, the vehicle may carry the higher‑risk profile typical of early‑generation models, so buyers should proceed cautiously and seek additional service history.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
4
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Seat Belts4
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 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT2532019-11-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-0082019-07-30EquipmentThis is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT2372018-02-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-13-42A-0022013-01-29StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1987 Mighty Max 2.0L take?

3.7 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-20, 20W-40, 20W-50, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 Mighty Max have open recalls?

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