FaultScore

FaultScore report

1997 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Owners have filed 85 complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero with NHTSA between 1997 and 2014. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 11 worst.

C

FaultScore 57/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mitsubishi Montero.

How this is worked out

The numbers

85

Complaints

7

Crashes reported

6

Fires reported

6

Injuries reported

110,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 53 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 53
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Montero. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
22.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 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 1997 Mitsubishi Montero

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

Brakes 18 21.2%

Median failure at 110,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 17 20.0%

Median failure at 156,000 miles

Electrical System 8 9.4%

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 103,250 mi

Suspension 6 7.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Equipment & Accessories 5 5.9%

Median failure at 134,990 miles

Airbags 5 5.9%

4 crashes, 0 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 5 5.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 62,295 mi

Body & Structure 4 4.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 3.5%
Steering 3 3.5%
Other & Unspecified 2 2.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 68,252 mi

Seat Belts 2 2.4%
Child Seats 1 1.2%
Doors, Latches & Locks 1 1.2%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 1 1.2%
Seats 1 1.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 172,000 mi

Tires 1 1.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 1.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 61,505 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.2%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 7 20.6%
Engine 5 14.7%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 4 11.8%
Gasoline 4 11.8%
Foundation Components 4 11.8%
Frontal 4 11.8%
AIR Conditioner 3 8.8%
Body 3 8.8%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 17.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 5 29.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 23.5%
150,000+ miles 5 29.4%

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.

Jun 1997 peak 7 Jun 2014

Recalls on the 1997 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

98V220000

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

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINES CAN DEVELOP PIN HOLES DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE IN THE INNER FENDER.

Risk: BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAK RESULTING IN DETERIORATED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE INDICATOR LAMP.

98V205000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACCESSORY CARGO MATS IN THE THIRD-SEAT AND CARGO AREA. THIS CARGO MAT INTERFERES WITH THE LATCHING INTEGRITY OF THE FOLDING THIRD SEATS.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT OF THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

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.

at 172,000 miles Ligonier, PA Fire

SEATS

ON 5/31/14, MY 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A LARGE BURN IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AFTER CALLING MITSUBISHI, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SINCE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AFTER MANY FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO MITSUBISHI, THEY BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THE CAR WAS 17 YEARS OLD. ALL OF THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS ON ME AS THE OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10597034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Ligonier, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 5/31/14, MY 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A LARGE BURN IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AFTER CALLING MITSUBISHI, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SINCE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AFTER MANY FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO MITSUBISHI, THEY BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THE CAR WAS 17 YEARS OLD. ALL OF THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS ON ME AS THE OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10597034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,505 miles Aiea, HI Fire 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT AND THE FLAMES CAUSED ME SEVERE BURNS TO MY BODY. I WAS NEARLY ASPHYXIATED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10326077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,505 miles Aiea, HI Fire 1 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT AND THE FLAMES CAUSED ME SEVERE BURNS TO MY BODY. I WAS NEARLY ASPHYXIATED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10326077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boston, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

IN EARLY 2003 I PURCHASED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO FULL SUV. IN APRIL 2003 MY GIRL FRIEND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ONE DAY , WHEN IT JUST BROKE DOWN ON HER .HEN SHE TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START.I GOT IT TOWED,AND MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID ONE OF THE MAIN FUSE (MFI-MULTI FUEL INJECTION) HAD BLOWN.*AK HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE CAR WAS FINE, TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN , SO HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHECKED FOR ANY RECALL THERE WAS NONE.ON 7/8/04 IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME WHEN THE FUSE WAS REPLACED I TURNED OVER THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS SMOKING THROUGH THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE I WAS SO SCARED I RAN AWAY FROM IT UNTIL THE SMOKE WENT AWAY.THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME ALL THE BURNED WIRE IN THE HARNESS, PLEASE LET ME NOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #10080813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Louisville, KY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, PASSENGER (WIFE) MOVED HER WINDOW VISOR, A FLAME SHOT OUT TOWARDS HER FACE COMING FROM UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF WINDOW VISOR, WHERE WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED OVER TIME, DUE TO A PLASTIC COVERING EDGE TO HIDE WIRE.*AK FLAME WAS 4-5 INCHES LONG, 1 INCH THICK AND FLAMED FOR 6-8 SECONDS, THEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF THICK GREY SMOKE CAME FROM AREA. WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED AWAY THE WIRING COVER AND WAS TOUCHING THE METAL ROD USED TO HOLD UP VISOR. FUSE DID NOT BLOW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE MY HEADLINER, BEHIND DASH, ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10037207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 172,000 miles Ligonier, PA Fire

SEATS

ON 5/31/14, MY 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A LARGE BURN IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AFTER CALLING MITSUBISHI, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SINCE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AFTER MANY FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO MITSUBISHI, THEY BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THE CAR WAS 17 YEARS OLD. ALL OF THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS ON ME AS THE OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10597034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Ligonier, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 5/31/14, MY 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A LARGE BURN IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AFTER CALLING MITSUBISHI, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SINCE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AFTER MANY FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO MITSUBISHI, THEY BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THE CAR WAS 17 YEARS OLD. ALL OF THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS ON ME AS THE OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10597034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 270,000 miles Chester, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1997 MITSUBISH MONTERO 3.5 LITER AUTOMATIC- CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAS COME OUT ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND HAS COST OVER $3000 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE INSIDE OF THE CRANKSHAFT WHERE THE BOLT GOES IS COMPLETELY STRIPPED TO THE POINT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AS THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH ALL YEARS OF MONTEROS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER THE COST FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10396534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Joplin, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY PIN/BOLT GETS SHEARED OFF. DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND VEHICLE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AS THE PUMP IS NOT TURNING BECAUSE THE PROBLEM AFFECT THE ENTIRE PULLEY SYSTEM. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE TIMING GEAR/BELT/HARMONIC BALANCER. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN AS MANY YEARS THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS IS THE 2ND MECHANIC WHO HAS TOLD ME THAT IT'S AN ENGINE DEFECT BECAUSE THE PIN/BOLT IS TOO SHORT. THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. IT OCCURS UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS AT LOW OR NO SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10384572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,505 miles Aiea, HI Fire 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT AND THE FLAMES CAUSED ME SEVERE BURNS TO MY BODY. I WAS NEARLY ASPHYXIATED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10326077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,505 miles Aiea, HI Fire 1 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT AND THE FLAMES CAUSED ME SEVERE BURNS TO MY BODY. I WAS NEARLY ASPHYXIATED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10326077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,000 miles Norfolk, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAME LOOSE THREE TIMES WHICH CREATED NO POWER STEERING AND NO CHARGING OF THE BATTERY PURCHASED NEW CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BUT DID NOT HELP THE THIRD TIME INSTALLED A LOCK WASHER ON THE BOLT AND RE TORQUED TO SPEC LAST WEEK.

NHTSA complaint #10320369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Panama City, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #10240750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,990 miles Lancaster, CA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

STARTED CAR, NOTICED 3 RANDOM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THEN POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT. THEN A/C WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT COOL DOWN. THEN POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. CAR WAS DRIVEN TO REPAIR SHOP NEARBY, SINCE NO LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER. MECHANIC FOUND CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKEN THAT LED TO POWER STEERING AND A/C PULLEY NOT WORKING. INCIDENT LED TO NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TURNING , AS POWER STEERING WOULD "KICK" IN AT TIMES DURING CORNERING AND LEAD TO OVERSTEER. HAD TO CHANGE CRANKSHAFT BOLT, HARMONIC BALANCER, TIMING BELT GEAR, AND SOMETHING ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10196657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,990 miles Lancaster, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

STARTED CAR, NOTICED 3 RANDOM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THEN POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT. THEN A/C WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT COOL DOWN. THEN POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. CAR WAS DRIVEN TO REPAIR SHOP NEARBY, SINCE NO LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER. MECHANIC FOUND CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKEN THAT LED TO POWER STEERING AND A/C PULLEY NOT WORKING. INCIDENT LED TO NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TURNING , AS POWER STEERING WOULD "KICK" IN AT TIMES DURING CORNERING AND LEAD TO OVERSTEER. HAD TO CHANGE CRANKSHAFT BOLT, HARMONIC BALANCER, TIMING BELT GEAR, AND SOMETHING ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10196657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,165 miles Rockville Centre, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND BOLT BECAME DISCONNECTED. THIS OCCURRED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #10164861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,500 miles Mclean, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

1. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CAR WAS CHECKED OUT AND ESTIMATED CHARGES FOR REPAIRS TO FRONT BRAKE, INCLUDING NEW ROTOR, WOULD BE $1000. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL FOR 1997 MONTEROS IN REGARD TO BRAKE LINES. *AK 2. SERVICE ENGINE SOON COMES ON AT RANDOM AND ONLY GOES OFF WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNHOOKED AND REHOOKED OR REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10090429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,500 miles Mclean, VA

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

1. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CAR WAS CHECKED OUT AND ESTIMATED CHARGES FOR REPAIRS TO FRONT BRAKE, INCLUDING NEW ROTOR, WOULD BE $1000. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL FOR 1997 MONTEROS IN REGARD TO BRAKE LINES. *AK 2. SERVICE ENGINE SOON COMES ON AT RANDOM AND ONLY GOES OFF WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNHOOKED AND REHOOKED OR REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10090429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Kissimmee, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 - THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING, NO ACCIDENT OR MISUSE. 2 - VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND MUST KEEP TURNING IGNITION, EVENTUALLY IT STATS. (CHANGED BATTERY, TERMINALS, WIRES, ETC, WITH NO AFFECT) ALARM GOES OFF SPORADICALLY OR SETS ON IT'S OWN. DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK, THEN IMMEDIATELY LOCK BACK. WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY AND ARE TILTING SLIGHTLY CAUSING A SMALL AIR LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALL PROBLEMS ARE ANNOYING BUT I CAN STILL GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10081177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Kissimmee, FL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1 - THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING, NO ACCIDENT OR MISUSE. 2 - VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND MUST KEEP TURNING IGNITION, EVENTUALLY IT STATS. (CHANGED BATTERY, TERMINALS, WIRES, ETC, WITH NO AFFECT) ALARM GOES OFF SPORADICALLY OR SETS ON IT'S OWN. DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK, THEN IMMEDIATELY LOCK BACK. WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY AND ARE TILTING SLIGHTLY CAUSING A SMALL AIR LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALL PROBLEMS ARE ANNOYING BUT I CAN STILL GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10081177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Kissimmee, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 - THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING, NO ACCIDENT OR MISUSE. 2 - VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND MUST KEEP TURNING IGNITION, EVENTUALLY IT STATS. (CHANGED BATTERY, TERMINALS, WIRES, ETC, WITH NO AFFECT) ALARM GOES OFF SPORADICALLY OR SETS ON IT'S OWN. DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK, THEN IMMEDIATELY LOCK BACK. WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY AND ARE TILTING SLIGHTLY CAUSING A SMALL AIR LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALL PROBLEMS ARE ANNOYING BUT I CAN STILL GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10081177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairbanks, AK

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

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. ALL ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MAIN BOLT TO THE PULLEY BELT SHEARED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10082008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boston, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

IN EARLY 2003 I PURCHASED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO FULL SUV. IN APRIL 2003 MY GIRL FRIEND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ONE DAY , WHEN IT JUST BROKE DOWN ON HER .HEN SHE TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START.I GOT IT TOWED,AND MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID ONE OF THE MAIN FUSE (MFI-MULTI FUEL INJECTION) HAD BLOWN.*AK HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE CAR WAS FINE, TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN , SO HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHECKED FOR ANY RECALL THERE WAS NONE.ON 7/8/04 IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME WHEN THE FUSE WAS REPLACED I TURNED OVER THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS SMOKING THROUGH THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE I WAS SO SCARED I RAN AWAY FROM IT UNTIL THE SMOKE WENT AWAY.THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME ALL THE BURNED WIRE IN THE HARNESS, PLEASE LET ME NOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #10080813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flemington, NJ

STEERING

CRANKSHAFT BOLT IS LOOSENING ON VEHICLE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*MR CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T RECOGNIZED TO BE WITHIN THE RECALL. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT AND HAD TO PAY $1355.56 FOR REPAIRS AND $130.00 FOR TOWING. CONSUMER FEELS MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER COSTS OF REPAIRS AND TOWING DUE TO THE RECALL THAT WAS CREATED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10044520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Louisville, KY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, PASSENGER (WIFE) MOVED HER WINDOW VISOR, A FLAME SHOT OUT TOWARDS HER FACE COMING FROM UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF WINDOW VISOR, WHERE WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED OVER TIME, DUE TO A PLASTIC COVERING EDGE TO HIDE WIRE.*AK FLAME WAS 4-5 INCHES LONG, 1 INCH THICK AND FLAMED FOR 6-8 SECONDS, THEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF THICK GREY SMOKE CAME FROM AREA. WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED AWAY THE WIRING COVER AND WAS TOUCHING THE METAL ROD USED TO HOLD UP VISOR. FUSE DID NOT BLOW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE MY HEADLINER, BEHIND DASH, ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10037207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flemington, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 00V311002 . THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT LOOSENED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOST OF POWER STEERING. *TS *PH *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10034181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Meade, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10021714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,295 miles Santa Maria, CA Crash 4 injured

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

PROBLEM WITH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX, JUST RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 3 WEEKS LATER CAR WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. DRIVER STEERED SLIGHTLY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS MAKING AN ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE AND MONTERO WENT OUT OF CONTROL. NEITHER STEERING NOR BRAKING COULD STOP OR AFFECT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

NHTSA complaint #10005704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Everett, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER. CONSUMER STATES' NOW VEHICLE WILL NOT START. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alabaster, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

AFTER VEHICLE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS IMPACTED AND DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS OKAY. WHILE DRIVING THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BROKE. THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS TS

NHTSA complaint #8023247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.