The Mitsubishi Endeavor may be an older car, but you will still see plenty of these vehicles driving around on the road today. First produced for the 2004 model year, the Endeavor is a mid-size crossover SUV that was constructed, built, and manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. Mitsubishi Motors is a Japanese multinational car manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, the sixth largest Japanese automaker.
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The first vehicle built for use in North America, the Endeavor is a 5-door SUV with the layout options of either a transverse, front-engine, front-wheel-drive, or four-wheel drive depending on the owner’s preferences.
With a 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission, the Mitsubishi Endeavor seems like a foolproof car. Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi endeavor problems continue throughout the model years, tainting the car’s image.
AC and Heater Problems in the Mitsubishi Endeavor
The main category of concern regarding the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems is the AC and heater system.
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AC Leaking Into Interior of Vehicle
The top concern regarding the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems in the AC and heater system involves the air conditioner liquid leaking into the vehicle’s interior during use. This problem typically costs around $750 to repair and fix, occurring at nearly 120,000 miles for most owners. This issue’s severity rating comes to 9 out of 10, with owners stating that they need to replace the entire heater core.
Owners have also cited numerous reports of the driver's side floorboard becoming soaked with air conditioner liquid, the car hums while the air conditioner is on, and the passenger side of the vehicle is constantly flooded with air conditioner fluid while the AC is turned on.
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Fan Not Working Correctly
The second top issue regarding the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems in the AC and heater category involves the fan not working as it should. Owners state that the AC stops blowing air when the air conditioner is turned on, and the car takes numerous times to be adequately repaired.
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AC Compressor Issues
The third and last AC issue to plague the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems involves the AC compressor. A fully functioning compressor is required for the air conditioning system to provide the car’s best performance and continuously blow out cold air. In most modern cars on the market today, the ac compressor is driven by a belt that is an engine-accessory belt.
AC Compressor Function
The AC compressor is a huge and critical component of the car’s air conditioning system, if not the most important piece of the entire system. This AC compressor is in charge of pressuring the AC system and keeping the refrigerant flowing properly so that the entire system can function correctly, so the bad AC compressor does not affect the engine and cause other Mitsubishi Endeavor problems.
Faulty AC Compressor Symptoms
Higher Cabin Temperature
One of the main signs and the clearest signs that the ac compressor could be having trouble in the car is that the air conditioning is no longer blowing as cold air as it once did in the car. The hot air can usually be felt when the cabin temperature is higher than normal. A damaged or failing ac compressor will not properly determine and regulate the refrigerant’s flow and transmission in the air conditioning system, causing other Mitsubishi Endeavor problems.
Making Loud Noises
When the air conditioning is turned on in your vehicle, and loud noises coming from the system and the ac compressor, this is another clear sign or symptom that your ac compressor is failing or damaged. Like other parts of your vehicle driven and controlled by the engine belt, the ac compressor has various interior components and is a complicated mechanism. It uses a sealed bearing to turn, running properly to keep the ac compressor functioning and preventing other Mitsubishi Endeavor problems.
If any of these internal parts break or wear down over time, or the ac compressor’s internal bearings break down or fail, then noises can be produced, showing that the bad ac compressor affects the engine. A leaking or damaged bearing will produce a loud, high-pitched, squealing, or grinding sound, while a seizing or damaged bearing can produce a low grinding noise.
Compressor Clutch Issues
Another sign of a problematic compressor is that the clutch is not able to move. The clutch on the ac compressor is the mechanism that allows the pulley to engage and disengage from the power of the engine so that the ac compressor is only rotating and turning when the system needs it to be. This means that the clutch can size, which keeps the ac compressor activated, or the clutch can break, which means the ac compressor does not receive enough power coming directly from the engine.
Leaking Fluid
The last sign that your bad ac compressor affects the engine is that there is leaking fluid from your vehicle. The AC compressor has its internal bearings, which are supposed to prevent any fluid from leaking while pressuring the refrigerant in the engine. If the leaking fluid is a part of your car’s symptoms, this can cause other Mitsubishi Endeavor problems.
Body and Paint Problems in the Mitsubishi Endeavor
The second category of Mitsubishi Endeavor problems involves the body and paint category.
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Clear Coat Peeling
Although this top concern is superficial and aesthetic only, the clear coat peeling off of the Endeavor is an annoying issue that typically occurs at around 83,750 miles in most Endeavor cars. Owners state that the clear coat peels off the rear driver’s side quarter, front passenger side, and hood.
Transmission Problems in the Mitsubishi Endeavor
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Car Vibrating in 4th Gear
The top transmission issue regarding Mitsubishi Endeavor problems involves the car vibrating while shifting into 4th gear. The most common solution for this issue is to replace the torque converter, costing nearly $1,200 and occurring at typically around 146,000 miles.
Torque Converter Solenoid
One part of the Mitsubishi Endeavor that can cause transmission issues is the torque converter solenoids. Let’s find out how this solenoid works so that you can determine how to prevent any Mitsubishi Endeavor problems in the future.
When the torque converter clutch is locked, the engine and the transmission are working at the same level and the same speed. Once the torque converter clutch slips, this means that only half of the lockup is working. The transmission control module is able to control the converter and prevent this from happening by sending the right signal to the torque converter solenoid.
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Vibrating While Shifting
The second and final sign of Mitsubishi Endeavor problems in the car involves the car vibrating while shifting into any gear. To determine how to fix this issue without causing any future Mitsubishi Endeavor problems, you need to know the answer to why is my car shaking?
Worn-Out Parts
If too many parts become worn out, or just the right combination of parts, it can cause shaking in your car. If your axle is somehow damaged, this can cause vibrations throughout your car, causing it to shake while driving and get worse while driving quicker. The axle on your vehicle can get bent during minor accidents, driving over potholes, or hitting something on the road.
Lack of Spark Plugs
There are many reasons why the lack of spark plugs can cause the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems. First, your car’s shaking will increase when you try to accelerate or press down on the gas pedal. Second, it may feel as if you’re driving over a constant stream of tiny bumps or dents on the road, and it will be an extremely bumpy and vibrating ride.
Third, your car will be able to start properly, but it will take a while before it begins shaking while you’re driving. Shaking of your vehicle is potentially dangerous because it could make you think that everything is okay when in reality, you need to diagnose why your car is shaking.
Fourth, your check engine light may come on and start flashing while your car is shaking. The motor may vibrate abnormally, which leads to a loss of power, and a loss of proper timing for fuel and ignition.
Windows and Windshield Problems in the Mitsubishi Endeavor
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Sunroof Does Not Close Properly
The top concern regarding the windows and windshield in the Mitsubishi Endeavor includes the sunroof not closing properly and malfunctions during use. This issue typically happens at around 28,500 miles and has a severity rating of 8 out of 10. Owners state that this issue is not very dangerous but can be annoying during inclement weather.
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Window Regulator Breaking
The second issue in the window system regarding the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems involves the window regulator breaking at around 13,000 miles and having a severity rating of 6 out of 10.
Window Regulator Costs
Window regulators are generally mounted inside the door panel, where they are not in the way of the driver or the passenger, and kept out of mind until they are no longer working – and you need to determine the overall price of the car window regulator repair cost. The average car window regulator repair cost for this fix is around $270-$370 for window regulator repair, with the labor being around $80 to $100, and the parts cost you between $190 and $270.
Window Regulator Repair Timing
If the car window regulator has broken, you can tell the parts are faulty, or the window has come loose from the car window regulator; you need to get your car fixed by your mechanic or do it yourself. If the window in your car is loose, it needs to be securely held in place not to fall out or move while driving. This means that the car window regulator needs to be prepared and fixed so that the window can be replaced and held securely.
Seat Belts and Air Bags Problems in the Mitsubishi Endeavor
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Airbag Not Opening
The last category of concern regarding the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems involves the seat belts and air bags. The top issue is the airbag not opening during accidents and problems on the road. Owners state that the airbags did not go off during severe accidents, causing unsafe situations on the road.
Mitsubishi Endeavor Reliability
The Mitsubishi Endeavor can perform fairly well on the road, but it is an average car at best. The competitors directly posed against the Endeavor outshine the vehicle due to the increased performance capabilities, stylistic points, and safety ratings.
The positives of the Mitsubishi Endeavor include the distinctive exterior styling and the roomy and comfortable seats. The Mitsubishi Endeavor problems include poor fuel economy, mediocre interior quality and styling, outdated four-speed transmission performance, and dismal safety and crash test scores.
Stats for the Mitsubishi Endeavor include 5-seat cargo space, 15 miles per gallon on the city, 19-21 miles per gallon on the highway, four-wheel-drive all-wheel drivetrain, and an engine that can put out 225 horsepower.
The ranking for the Mitsubishi Endeavor includes all of the positive qualities and the Mitsubishi Endeavor problems. The car earns a #17 ranking in the Affordable Midsize SUV category and a meager score of #116 ranking in the Used Midsize SUVs under $20K category.
According to US News, the company gave the Mitsubishi Endeavor a scorecard rating of 7.7 out of 10. The ranking involved a critics' rating of 7.5, the performance rating of 7.7, the interior of 7.7, the total cost of ownership coming to 9.1, safety coming to 8.9, and the reliability rating from JD Power coming out to 3 out of 5 stars.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Endeavor problems involve many aspects of the car, like the engine, transmission, windows and windshield, and the categories’ airbags and seat belts. Despite these frequent and most common issues, the Endeavor is an average car that does fairly well in almost all road conditions.