I recently heard of yet another case of front brake hose failure on a Pajero NJ, but this was one that shouldn’t have happened. (The NH & NJ were RECALLED for faulty brake hoses several years ago, and I believe the recall is still open). The said used vehicle was purchased from a metro Mitsubishi Dealer (no Tony, it wasn’t your place). It was serviced regularly by that dealer, it had the front brake discs machined this year by that dealer and the first brake hose burst 2 days later. It was replaced by the dealer (and charged to the protesting owner). A second hose burst recently and again there was no mention of a recall. The owner has since discovered of course, that this vehicle was recalled but was never repaired. It seems odd to me that this Mitsubishi dealer didn’t pick up on this when presented with two brake hose failures.

If yours is an NH or NJ model and you don’t know if the hoses have been replaced, or if your vehicle was part of this recall, ask any Mitsubishi Dealer service department, and they can tell you almost immediately.

THE NEW 2000 PAJERO

My observations –

I LIKE:

The foldaway rear seat. The ground clearance under the rear diff. They finally threw out that stupid inclinometer. They left enough space under the bonnet for a second battery. Three seats across the second row, instead of two pretending to be three. The sliding centre armrest.

I DON’T LIKE:

The styling (a RAV4 front stuck on a Prado rear). Deletion of roof gutters, and therefore a decent roof rack. They have deleted that great recovery hook on the front and given us a couple of suspect tow hooks. The front bash plate isn’t as thick as before. No optional traction control or diff lock (but available in other countries). No map pockets on the back of the seats. And I am not sure about that engine air intake – time will tell if it’s a good water scoop or not.

We were hoping this might have been our thirteenth Mitsubishi, but I don’t think so.

John Parkinson
Technical Officer