Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1992 Mitsubishi Montero
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
633.3%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 182,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
633.3%
Median failure at 168,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
Wheels
15.6%
Lights
15.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.6%
Body & Structure
15.6%
Electrical System
15.6%
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.
Jan 1995peak 3Jan 2010
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Columbia, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING ON BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER SAW A SCHOOL BUS AND SWERVED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR WAS STILL GOING AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER RAN UP AN EMBANKMENT AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT DIDN'T REALLY HELP, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THERE WAS A BIG SPLIT IN THE BRAKE LINE, LEADING TO THE CALIPER.
NHTSA complaint #869222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING ON BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER SAW A SCHOOL BUS AND SWERVED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR WAS STILL GOING AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER RAN UP AN EMBANKMENT AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT DIDN'T REALLY HELP, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THERE WAS A BIG SPLIT IN THE BRAKE LINE, LEADING TO THE CALIPER.
NHTSA complaint #869222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 182,000 milesSanta Cruz, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MITSUBISHI MONTERO 1992. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:00V311001 AND 96V143002. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE RECALL IS VOID BECAUSE THE BOLT BROKE AND THEY ASSUME THAT IT BROKE NOT BECAUSE OF RECALLED PART BUT IMPROPER REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10303459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,000 milesSanta Cruz, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
MITSUBISHI MONTERO 1992. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:00V311001 AND 96V143002. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE RECALL IS VOID BECAUSE THE BOLT BROKE AND THEY ASSUME THAT IT BROKE NOT BECAUSE OF RECALLED PART BUT IMPROPER REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10303459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesEnterprise, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 1992 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL, DETAILED BELOW: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 00V311001 EXACTLY WHAT IS STATED IN THE RECALL, HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. EXCEPT WHEN IT HAPPENED, INSTEAD OF COMPLETELY FALLING OUT, WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BECAME LOOSE IT CAME PARTLY OUT AND BROKE OFF LEAVING HALF OF THE BOLT SEIZED INSIDE THE CRANKSHAFT. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL ON THE PART AT THAT TIME. BUT AFTER CONTACTING MITSUBISHI FOR A DIFFERENT REASON (TO ORDER A SPARE KEY FOR THE VEHICLE) I WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. SURPRISED, I INFORMED THE MITSUBISHI REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT HAPPENED. SHE INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME THAT ALL THE REPAIRS NECESSARY WOULD BE DONE AT NO COST TO ME. SO I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT MITSUBISHI INSTRUCTED HER NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY FOUND THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BEEN REPLACED, AND THIS NEGATED MITSUBISHI'S REPAIR RESPONSIBILITIES. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 155,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF BREAKDOWN. REPLACING THE TIMING BELT ON A CAR WITH THAT MANY MILES ON IT IS CONSIDERED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I INFORMED THE MITSUBISHI REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MILEAGE, SO THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY THE REASON FOR THE DENIAL OF REPAIR WAS THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAS TO BE REMOVED AND PUT BACK IN TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE STATING THAT OTHER NON-RELATED REPAIRS CAN NEGATE THE LIABILITY ON A SAFETY RECALL. SO I BELIEVE THAT MITSUBISHI IS WRONG IN THEIR DENIAL OF REPAIR. MY CAR FALLS UNDER THE RECALL AND MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS STATED BY THE NHTSA. SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, AND IF I AM ENTITLED TO ANY LEGAL RECOURSE.
NHTSA complaint #10235227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10025107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Syracuse, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRANKCASE BOLT WAS UNDER RECALL AND WAS INSPECTED AT DEALER LAST APRIL OF 2001. DEC . 28TH NOISE FROM ENGINE FORCED ME TO GO TO INDEPENT SHOP I HAVE USED PREVIOUSLY THE CRANKCASE BOLT THAT WAS UNDER RECALL AND WAS INSPECTED 10,000 MILES EARLIER AND FOUND TO BE AT PROPER TORQUE HAD LOOSENED .I SPOKE TO CALIFONIA CUSTOMER NO SERVICE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REINSPECTED AND TO BE REIMBURSED 67.00 TO TIGHTEN BOLT WITH NO SUCCESS. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. .BUT THE RECALL AT LEAST IN MY CASE DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM IT.
NHTSA complaint #756244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE MODULE, REPLACING SECOND MODULE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK SPARK PLUGS WERE NOT OPERATIVE DUE TO ECM FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE REPAIRED ECM.
NHTSA complaint #883186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE MODULE, REPLACING SECOND MODULE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK SPARK PLUGS WERE NOT OPERATIVE DUE TO ECM FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE REPAIRED ECM.
NHTSA complaint #883186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boulder, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON MITSUBUSHI HAS THE COMPLETE REPAIR RECORD THEY SAY ITS THE ONLY ONE I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIVE AS THERE OWN DEALER SAID VALVE TRAIN PROBLEMS WERE FREQUENT.
NHTSA complaint #734371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boulder, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON MITSUBUSHI HAS THE COMPLETE REPAIR RECORD THEY SAY ITS THE ONLY ONE I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIVE AS THERE OWN DEALER SAID VALVE TRAIN PROBLEMS WERE FREQUENT.
NHTSA complaint #734371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING ON BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER SAW A SCHOOL BUS AND SWERVED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR WAS STILL GOING AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER RAN UP AN EMBANKMENT AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT DIDN'T REALLY HELP, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THERE WAS A BIG SPLIT IN THE BRAKE LINE, LEADING TO THE CALIPER.
NHTSA complaint #869222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING ON BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER SAW A SCHOOL BUS AND SWERVED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR WAS STILL GOING AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER RAN UP AN EMBANKMENT AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT DIDN'T REALLY HELP, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THERE WAS A BIG SPLIT IN THE BRAKE LINE, LEADING TO THE CALIPER.
NHTSA complaint #869222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camden, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING ON THE ROAD APPROX 20-25MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT HIT THE BRAKES, WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A SCHOOL BUS PUMP. BRAKE DIDN'T SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. VEHICLE CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD, TURNED OFF INTO ALLEY. AND THREW IT IN PARK IN ORDER TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #849634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beulaville, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO REPLACED DOME LIGHTS, AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SWITCH JAMS.
NHTSA complaint #826414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beulaville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO REPLACED DOME LIGHTS, AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SWITCH JAMS.
NHTSA complaint #826414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beulaville, NC
INTERIOR LIGHTING
ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO REPLACED DOME LIGHTS, AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SWITCH JAMS.
NHTSA complaint #826414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madrid, UN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #523342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arroyo, PR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED LEAKING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #976878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridgefield, CT
WHEELS:RIM
WHEEL RUSTING AROUND THE OUTER RIM ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. WHEELS COATED WITH WHITE PAINT. TT
NHTSA complaint #959402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.