Owners have filed 91 complaints
about the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero with NHTSA between 1997 and 2021.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 11 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Montero. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 17
10% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Mitsubishi Montero
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
330.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
150,000+ miles
110.0%
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.
Sep 1997peak 10May 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 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.
A POLICE REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGED THAT DISENGAGEMENT OF THE RIGHT REAR FOLDING SEAT DURING A SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER INCIDENT PERMITTED ITS OCCUPANT TO BE EJECTED
Recalls on the 1998 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
20V035000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
04V428000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 85,000 milesHouston, TXCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE PILE UP. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR HEAD INJURIES, AND PASSENGER BROKE HIS SHOULDER.
NHTSA complaint #10099789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
IN A FRONTAL HEAD ON COLLISION VEHICLE IMPACTEED ON A TREE, AND IT PUSHED RADIATOR INTO ENGINE, AND FRAME BENT BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD NO BUMPER. NOT SURE IF IT CAME FROM MAUFACTURER WITHOUT IT OR IT WAS REMOVED.
NHTSA complaint #8015959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valrico, FLCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
AT STOP LIGHT. HIT IN REAR BY CAR GOING ATLEAST 45 MPH. NECK WHIP-LASH DESPITE 3 POINT SEATBELT AND ADDED THICKNESS HEADREST AS SEATBELT COLLAPSED BACKWARD TO HORIZONTAL POSITION. UNABLE TO MOVE SEAT FULLY UPRIGHT (80%) AFTER THAT. CAR PUSHED ABOUT 20 FT. TOW HITCHED ATTACHED TO FRAME REDUCED FURTHER BACK DAMAGE. METAL PARTICLES FOUND IN DIFFERENTIAL - PROBABLY FORM IMPACT MOVING CAR IN STOPPED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #735909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valrico, FLCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
AT STOP LIGHT. HIT IN REAR BY CAR GOING ATLEAST 45 MPH. NECK WHIP-LASH DESPITE 3 POINT SEATBELT AND ADDED THICKNESS HEADREST AS SEATBELT COLLAPSED BACKWARD TO HORIZONTAL POSITION. UNABLE TO MOVE SEAT FULLY UPRIGHT (80%) AFTER THAT. CAR PUSHED ABOUT 20 FT. TOW HITCHED ATTACHED TO FRAME REDUCED FURTHER BACK DAMAGE. METAL PARTICLES FOUND IN DIFFERENTIAL - PROBABLY FORM IMPACT MOVING CAR IN STOPPED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #735909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longview, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
ON IMPACT, THE REAR SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #730325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longview, TXCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
ON IMPACT, THE REAR SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #730325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Maunabo, PR
AIR BAGS
AT THE MOMENT THE ONLY SITUATION THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THE MITSUBISHI AIRBAG RECALL IS THAT WHEN I CALL THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS, THAT SUPPOSEDLY THE MITSUBISHI COMPANY HAS NOT YET SENT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS.....I HAVE TO CALL WITHIN 2 MONTHS TO SEE IF THE PARTS HAVE ARRIVED AT THE REPAIR SHOPS.
NHTSA complaint #11415421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maunabo, PR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AT THE MOMENT THE ONLY SITUATION THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THE MITSUBISHI AIRBAG RECALL IS THAT WHEN I CALL THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS, THAT SUPPOSEDLY THE MITSUBISHI COMPANY HAS NOT YET SENT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS.....I HAVE TO CALL WITHIN 2 MONTHS TO SEE IF THE PARTS HAVE ARRIVED AT THE REPAIR SHOPS.
NHTSA complaint #11415421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V035000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11362913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesDavenport, FL
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI IN ORLANDO AND BECAUSE A MECHANIC NAMED BOB WHO'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS SAYS IT'S THE ORIGINAL BUT IT'S NOT THE ORIGINAL BOLT THEY DON'T WANT TO HONOR THE RECALL I ARGUED WITH THEM MULTIPLE TIMES.. THE ORIGINAL BOLT IS ME203072, AND THE MONTERO HAS THE SAME BOLT AS THE PAJERO . THIS VEHICLE WITH VIN [XXX] HAD THE BOLT SNAP OFF..IF IT WAS ALREADY FIXED LIKE SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI SAID IT SHOULDN'T HAVE SNAPPED. THEY REPEATEDLY DO NOT WANT TO GIVE A STRAIGHT ANSWER AND KEEP TRANSFERRING THE PHONE AROUND. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11350758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milpitas, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR, STRONGER WHEN I OPEN THE BACK REAR LUGGAGE AREA AND REAR OF MONTERO (CLOSEST TO THE GAS FUEL TANK UNDERNEATH). I DO NOT SEE ANY ACTIVE LEAK ON THE FLOOR. MY CAR HAS NO DAMAGE, SUCH AS BEING REAR ENDED OR BUMPER DAMAGE AT ALL. THE TANK MAY BE DEFECTIVE OR VAPORIZING INTO INTERIOR OF CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11319367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesBeavercreek, OR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING TO STORE I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP SIGN AND CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER TAKING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. TRIED TO STOMP ON THROTTLE TO GET IT UNSTUCK, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF AND SPEEDS PAST 80 MILES PER HOUR THROTTLE RELEASED ON ITS OWN. I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY SAFETY RECALLS ON THIS VERY SCARY MALFUNCTION AND MAKER SAYS TAKE IT TO A DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10231335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesBirmingham, AL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH,THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT DETACHED AND CAUSED THE PULLEY TO WOBBLE. THIS FAILURE WAS ENCOMPASSED IN RECALL # 00V311000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STRONGLY BELIEVED OTHERWISE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #10187107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesBirmingham, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH,THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT DETACHED AND CAUSED THE PULLEY TO WOBBLE. THIS FAILURE WAS ENCOMPASSED IN RECALL # 00V311000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STRONGLY BELIEVED OTHERWISE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #10187107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilton, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF. LOST BELTS, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR POWER . REPAIR SHOP SAYS ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10165676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesHelotes, TX
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
MINOR PROBLEM WITH SWELLING IN DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, 1998 MITS MONTERO, VIN[XXX]. PURCHASED NEW IN SANTA MARIA CA. THE SWELLING AIRBAG HAS CAUSED CONTINUOUS HORN ACTIVATION. THE HORN HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. QUESTIONS: DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS THAT INDICATE A TREND WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AFFECTED THE HORN? IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? THE DEALER IN SAN ANTONIO SAYS THE AIRBAG STILL WORKS BUT CAN'T BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACEMENT PART QUOTED IS MR390111, MODULE AIR BAG, D-BROWN, PYRO TYPE FOR $688.33. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10136122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesHouston, TXCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE PILE UP. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR HEAD INJURIES, AND PASSENGER BROKE HIS SHOULDER.
NHTSA complaint #10099789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prescott, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE, CAUSING TIMING BELT PULLEY/SPROCKET TO FALL OFF. THIS IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE AND COULD HAD CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THE MONTERO 3.0 ENGINE FOR SAME PROBLEM..WHY NOT THE 3.5? INTEND TO CONTACT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION. VERY POOR DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10068313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesMerrimack, NH
SUSPENSION
WHEN VEHICLE EXCEEDS SPEEDS OF 60 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. CAUSE OF VIBRATION IS UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10039728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,800 milesHazleton, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 60 MPH GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOVE 80 MPH. PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS OF NO USE, BUT USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10037879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,761 milesPocatello, ID
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE WIL NOT DISENGAGE DUE TO STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #10004911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,761 milesPocatello, ID
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
CRUISE WIL NOT DISENGAGE DUE TO STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #10004911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forrestville, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF "CLICKING" NOISE. DEALER FINALLY DETERMINED THAT VHEICLE HAD A BROKEN LEAF SPRING WHICH COULD CAUSE TRUCK TO LOSE CONTROL, WHILE TURNING AND FLIP OVER.
NHTSA complaint #8019218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
IN A FRONTAL HEAD ON COLLISION VEHICLE IMPACTEED ON A TREE, AND IT PUSHED RADIATOR INTO ENGINE, AND FRAME BENT BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD NO BUMPER. NOT SURE IF IT CAME FROM MAUFACTURER WITHOUT IT OR IT WAS REMOVED.
NHTSA complaint #8015959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hagatna, GU
SUSPENSION
STEERING WHEEL "SHIMMIES". TECH CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD FIND NOTHING!
NHTSA complaint #764518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iowa, LA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
AT 55MPH A SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING WAS SMELLED, THAN A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD AND LOOKED BACK AND THE WHOLE BACK HATCH GLASS WAS SHATTERED. I THINK THE THINK THE DEFROSTER OVERHEATED. IT LEFTED A ORANGE LOOKING SPOT ON THE GLASS WHERE THE DEFROSTER CONNECTED TO THE GLASS.
NHTSA complaint #9005262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
EVERYTIME VEHICLE REACHES HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ABOUT 55MPH AND UP, VEHICLE WILL END UP STALLING. HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OLD Bridge, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING COULD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKES WILL NOT OPERATE. PEDAL WILL GO ALWAY TO GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #879590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamspo, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER HAS HEARD A CONTINUOS WIND NOISE FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #557716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamspo, PA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONDENSOR AND COMPRESSOR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #557716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamspo, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER HAS HEARD A CONTINUOS WIND NOISE FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #557716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.