a used FTO, the first three digits of the Chassis number on the FTO VIN plate (located on the engine bay baulk-head, e.g. E-DE3A XXXXXXX whereX is a chassis number) will certainly provide the actual manufacturing year: 000 = 1994/1995; 010 = 1995/1996; 020 = 1997; 030 = 1998 etc. Model Codes The model code, usually consisting of four digits and stamped on the VIN plate (i.e. HNUE), can be read left-to-right as follows: Body Style: H = 2 door coupe Transmission: N = 5-speed manual / R = 4-speed auto / Y = 5-speed auto Model Type: U = GS model / H = GR model / G = GPX model / X = GX model / F = GP model Engine: E = SOHC EFI / M = DOHC EFI / H = DOHC EFI MIVEC (Numeric suffixes to these four digits generally indicate later model build changes) A DE2A prefix refers to the 1.8 4G93 16-valve engine. A DE3A prefix refers to 2.0 6A12 engine. Total production by transmission type The build quantity per 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto and 5-speed auto models. Recalls Whilst Mitsubishi was given some media attention in 2004 regarding various vehicle defects, the FTO had four relatively minor defects requiring manufacturer recalls in its history - three of which were in 2004, some four years after production ceased. Recall code KJ-0087-0: On 840 models manufactured between 3rd Oct and 7th Nov 1994 (DE2A chassis models, numbered 0000208 to 0000293 and DE3A chassis models, numbered 0000255 to 0002977) a defect existed in a retainer used in the auto transmissions. Recalled and corrected models (24th Nov 1994) have a white paint dot on the V-shaped lever at the top the gearbox. Recall code RJ-1122-1: Between 3rd Oct 1994 to 3rd Mar 1995 - on 1,251 DE2A models (chassis numbers 0000008 to 0001566) and 11,816 DE3A models (chassis numbers 0000025 to 0013017) - a section of wiring in the loom relating to idle speed control (a.k.a. stepper motor) was too short, resulting in fracture disconnection of wires at the motor due to long-term engine vibration. (The older stepper motor unit itself also has/had a brown/khaki color plastic unit. Replacements are black plastic). Recall code RJ-1122-2: For the same dates and models in recall above, the bracket securing the glovebox had insufficient space to a wiring loom, possibly causing interference to the wiring due to long-term vibration.