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FaultScore report

1990 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mitsubishi Montero
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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

25

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

How 1990 compares with every other Mitsubishi Montero

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1990 Mitsubishi Montero

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 8 32.0%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 228,859 mi

Seat Belts 6 24.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 8.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 8.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 2 8.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 2 8.0%
Tires 1 4.0%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 4.0%
Steering 1 4.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 1995 peak 4 Jun 2008

NHTSA investigations into the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA95004 Opened 10 Mar 1995 Closed 1 Aug 1995 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

PE90034 Opened 22 Jan 1990 Closed 15 Mar 1990 STEERING

STEERING COUPLING BOLT

Recalls on the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

95V103004

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Sandusky, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1990 MITUSBISHI MONTERO STARTED TO SMOKE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *NJOHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0206-89.

NHTSA complaint #10231772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eastsound, WA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE BOLT ON THE FRONT OF THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE PULLEY AND BELT TO FLY OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #9005704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boonsboro, MD Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE. PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD A BROKEN THERMOSTAT REPLACED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #879169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Washington, MD Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER ENGAGING VEHICLE INTO GEAR, RESULTED IN CRASH. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #863280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Fairfield, CT Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED, OWNER PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, HIT BRAKE AND VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER.

NHTSA complaint #820619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Sandusky, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1990 MITUSBISHI MONTERO STARTED TO SMOKE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *NJOHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0206-89.

NHTSA complaint #10231772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fresno, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10103306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL

POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HARD TO SHIFT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND THIS MAY BE A RECALL NUMBER THAT MAY HELP (M9122008000). *****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******770805. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10006574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 194,718 miles Southaven, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER BELT-DRIVEN COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10010945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 263,000 miles Sebastopol, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE BOLT THAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. TS THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE VIBRATION DAMPER BOLT WHICH CAUSED THE PULLEY TO FALL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #8023736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eastsound, WA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE BOLT ON THE FRONT OF THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE PULLEY AND BELT TO FLY OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #9005704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pipersville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CONSUMER HAD FOUND A DESIGN FRAUD ON VEHICLE. HAD TAKEN IT TO A TECHNICIAN FOR CHECK UP. FOUND REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL PULL WHEN VEHICLE IS LIFTED. THEN WHEN IS PUT BACK ON GROUND COULD HAVE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO EXTENSION ON BRAKE HOSE.

NHTSA complaint #882127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boulder, CO

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS II TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES AFTER HAVING ONLY 20000 MILES ON THEM, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #558175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boonsboro, MD Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE. PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD A BROKEN THERMOSTAT REPLACED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #879169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EXHAUST SYSTEM & OIL WERE FULL OF GAS. MECHANIC HAD TO CONTACT SOMEONE IN ORGEON TO GET HELP. NEITHER HAD EVER HEARD OR SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. CONSUMER HAD TO GET A JUMP START, AND JUST FROM SPARKS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BLOWN UP. MECHANIC SAID STILL NO GUARANTEE THAT IT STILL WON'T BLOW UP.

NHTSA complaint #875843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST SYSTEM & OIL WERE FULL OF GAS. MECHANIC HAD TO CONTACT SOMEONE IN ORGEON TO GET HELP. NEITHER HAD EVER HEARD OR SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. CONSUMER HAD TO GET A JUMP START, AND JUST FROM SPARKS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BLOWN UP. MECHANIC SAID STILL NO GUARANTEE THAT IT STILL WON'T BLOW UP.

NHTSA complaint #875843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Washington, MD Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER ENGAGING VEHICLE INTO GEAR, RESULTED IN CRASH. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #863280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wellington, FL

SEAT BELTS

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT RESTRAINT BELT IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT. THE RESTRAINT BUCKLE IS TOO LOOSE AND THE BELT IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO RESTRAIN CHILD SAFETY SEATS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #829335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Fairfield, CT Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED, OWNER PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, HIT BRAKE AND VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER.

NHTSA complaint #820619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilnett, IL

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, STICK WHICH CONNECTS WITH CLUTCH PLATE BELOW RUBBER GAURD BROKE OFF BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, CLUTCH NEVER ENGAGED IN 3RD GEAR, DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH, WHICH STICKS INTERMITTENTLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #811825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cedarburg, WI

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

STEERING SHAFT THAT GOES INTO STEERING GEAR GETS PITTEDAND ERODES DUE TO ROAD GRIME AND SALT, THIS ROUGH SHAFT TEARS SEALAND LUBRICATION IS DEPLETED, VEHICLE HARD TO STEER/DOES NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT WITHOUT MANUAL ASSIST.

NHTSA complaint #507362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sanfransico, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT RECALL ON THREE OCCASIONS, REPLY--- NO PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #980928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Juan, PR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE BROKE DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #980825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vashon Islan, WA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

OUTER REARVIEW MIRRORS SCREWS STRIPPED, CANNOT BE TIGHTEND; MIRRORS SWAY BACK AND FORTH; DRIVER CANNOT ADJUST TO VIEW TRAFFIC; CAUSES HAZARDOUS DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #980502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vashon Islan, WA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

OUTER REARVIEW MIRRORS SCREWS STRIPPED, CANNOT BE TIGHTEND; MIRRORS SWAY BACK AND FORTH; DRIVER CANNOT ADJUST TO VIEW TRAFFIC; CAUSES HAZARDOUS DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #980502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Abingdon, VA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT LATCH RELEASE BUTTON DETERIORATED/BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TAB TO JAM/NOT PROPERLY CATCH IN THE BUCKLE.

NHTSA complaint #484616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Avon, CO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

THE ELECTRICAL WIRING GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS BURNED OUT AND MELTED PART OF THE FUEL PUMP. TT

NHTSA complaint #966239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Auror, OH

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE RED BUTTON BROKE INTO PIECES AND FELL INTO BUCKLE, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE UNUSABLE. TT

NHTSA complaint #963817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Baltimor, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE BOTH SEAT BELT BUCKLE PIECE OF THE PLASTIC BROKE AND FALL INSIDE THE BUCKLE HARD TO LOCK. TT

NHTSA complaint #963458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evervett, WA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT; FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE INSIDE PLASTIC BROKE. TT

NHTSA complaint #960350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.