MitsubishiPrecis1991Overview/mitsubishi/precis/1991/base/

1991 Mitsubishi Precis

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Precis.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Mitsubishi Precis is a passenger car built on the Mitsubishi B platform and powered by a 3.2‑liter inline‑four that requires 3.2 qt of oil, with 20W‑40, 10W‑30, or 5W‑30 API‑rated viscosities. Its EPA‑rated fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined is delivered through a 4‑speed automatic transmission. In the model’s reliability window (19901994), the 1991 model year recorded the highest complaint tally—15 owner complaints, chiefly focused on the power‑train—while later years saw a sharp decline, with 1992 posting only a single complaint. This pattern underscores the 1991 Precis as the most problematic year in its early‑model cohort, signaling to researchers that power‑train issues were a significant concern during its production run.

Model year19941993199219911990198919881987

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/29/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 2630035500. 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 filter2630035500
Spark plugMS851238

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 29 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.2 qt of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.2 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 at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 52,500 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

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 1991 model year represents a significant spike in the federal complaint record, with 15 complaints filed—more than double the 7 reported for 1990 and substantially exceeding the single complaint recorded for 1992, followed by 3 in 1993 and zero in 1994. While recalls dropped from 2 to 1 compared to the prior year and investigations remained flat at 1, the 1991 model carries the highest reported grievance load of the entire generation, concentrated in Power Train (5), Visibility (2), Fuel System, Gasoline (2), and Structure (2) complaints. Notably, the 1991 model recorded zero crash or fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes for the elevated Power Train reports. Given that 1991 sits at the apex of a complaint arc that declines sharply in subsequent years, this specific model year presents higher ownership friction than both its predecessor and successors. Prospective buyers should prioritize 1992-1994 examples or a well-documented 1990 over the 1991 model to minimize exposure to the generation's peak reported reliability concerns.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
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 15 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Power Train5
Visibility2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Structure2
Electrical System2
Seats1
Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

94V080000Fuel System, GasolineReported 20/04/1994

THE VEHICLES FAILED THE LATERAL MOVING BARRIER IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS TANK EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF SPILLAGE. Remedy: MITSUBISHI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT2672022-04-07Unknown Or OtherTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
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 Precis. 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 1991 Precis take?

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

Does the 1991 Precis have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Precis get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg.