Crankshaft (big-end) bearing failure
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Knocking, oil light — engine failure
Fix: 10,000 km oil intervals; bearing replacement
€1,500–3,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mitsubishi Carisma
1995–2004
1
engines covered
7
known faults
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mitsubishi Carisma was built from 1995 to 2004.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 7 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Crankshaft (big-end) bearing failure: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €1,500–3,500 to fix.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 dCi / dTi (Renault F9Q) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 · Renault RN0710 · ~4.6 L · every 10,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.9 dCi / dTi (Renault F9Q)
Turbo failure (oil starvation)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whistle, smoke, oil loss
Fix: Replace turbo, clean the oil feed
€700–1,600
EGR valve
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–500
Injectors (Bosch / Delphi)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Knocking, smoke
Fix: Test and replace
€500–1,200
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Automatic 4-speed (older)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.9 dCi / dTi (Renault F9Q) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 10,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 120,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,334 cars.
| age (years) | 20+ |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 9.6 % |
| Suspension | 7.5 % |
| Steering | 9.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 12.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 22.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 6.2 % |
Common questions
Does the Mitsubishi Carisma have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.9 dCi / dTi (Renault F9Q): belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo.
What are the known problems with the Mitsubishi Carisma?
The faults with the highest risk: crankshaft (big-end) bearing failure (150,000–250,000 km, €1,500–3,500); turbo failure (oil starvation) (150,000–250,000 km, €700–1,600); solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); dual-mass flywheel (150,000–220,000 km, €700–1,400). The full list by engine is on this page.
What should you check when buying a used Mitsubishi Carisma?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: knocking, oil light — engine failure; whistle, smoke, oil loss. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Renault Clio II 1998–2012Renault Mégane II 2002–2009Nissan Primera (P12) 2002–2008Opel Vivaro A 2001–2014Renault Trafic II 2001–2014Renault Scénic II 2003–2009Renault Laguna II 2001–2007Renault Mégane I 1995–2002
Other Mitsubishi models
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026