Owners have filed 47 complaints
about the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero with NHTSA between 1999 and 2021.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 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 — 29
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Montero. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
27.7% 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 1999 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.
Front
627.3%
Automatic Transmission
627.3%
Upper ARM
29.1%
Wheel Bearing
29.1%
Gasoline
29.1%
Engine
29.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
14.5%
High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
14.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
337.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
150,000+ miles
337.5%
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.
May 1999peak 6Mar 2021
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Villalba, PRCrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER, THE DRIVER OF A 1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AT A UNKNOWN SPEED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER PASSED AWAY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE POLICE DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V035000 (AIR BAGS) 3 YEARS AFTER THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT*JB*DT
NHTSA complaint #11319828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesPeoria, AZFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1999 MONTERO BLEW UP AND CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING 2ND DEGREE BURNS MITSH REFUSES TO RELAEASE RECALL OR SPECIFICATINS TO ME WONT CALL ME BACK OR RESPOND TO LETTERS IT HAS BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE 1ST CONTACT THEY DID OPEN A CASE FILE BUT THEN REFUSES TO CONTACT ME.
NHTSA complaint #10075401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPeoria, AZFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO BLEW UP ON ME FOR NO REASON MITSH REFUSES TO RELEASE ANY RECALL/SPEC/SAFETY RECORDS TO ME THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL RIGHT OFF DID CAUSE SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO MYSELF..FIRE DEPT SAID MAGNESIUM SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH RATE OF LOST AND BURN FACTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10064587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPeoria, AZFire1 injured
EQUIPMENT
1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO BLEW UP ON ME FOR NO REASON MITSH REFUSES TO RELEASE ANY RECALL/SPEC/SAFETY RECORDS TO ME THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL RIGHT OFF DID CAUSE SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO MYSELF..FIRE DEPT SAID MAGNESIUM SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH RATE OF LOST AND BURN FACTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10064587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tobyhanna, PACrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT
HIGHW SPEED OF40MPH VEHICLE SHIFTED WITH HEAVY WHEEL VIBRATION VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLED AND REPORTED THIS COMPLAINT TO THE FACTORY. WHEN MAKIN A TURN IF THERE WAS A CRACK OR POT HOLE IN THE STREET THE VEHICLE HAD A TENDENCY TO SHIFT OFF THE WHEELS LEANING TO LEFT. IF IT RAINS THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE TO THE LEFT.
NHTSA complaint #751700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MOCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE
WHILE TRYING TO AVOID WET AREA (ICE) CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO ROLLOVER DUE TO POOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN. CONSUMER SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SAN Juan, PR
AIR BAGS
IN THE DEALER , I MAKES THE APPOINTMEMT TO 7AM, AND THE DEALER NIMAY MITSUBISHI, AVE. KENNEDY 1011 SAN JUAN, PR NO WORK WITH THE CAR AT THE 200PM. NO WORK WITH THE HOURS APPOINMENT. THE WORK IS HORRIBLE
NHTSA complaint #11405682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Juan, PR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN THE DEALER , I MAKES THE APPOINTMEMT TO 7AM, AND THE DEALER NIMAY MITSUBISHI, AVE. KENNEDY 1011 SAN JUAN, PR NO WORK WITH THE CAR AT THE 200PM. NO WORK WITH THE HOURS APPOINMENT. THE WORK IS HORRIBLE
NHTSA complaint #11405682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Otwell, IN
AIR BAGS
IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED AND STILL THERE IS NO REMEDY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY UNREASONABLE CONSIDERING THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH AS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. PLEASE PURSUE THIS AND HELP US COME TO A SOLUTION FOR THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #11382925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 230,000 milesYabucoa, PR
AIR BAGS
I WENT TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO PART TO DO OR FIX THE RECALL
NHTSA complaint #11377126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Villalba, PRCrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER, THE DRIVER OF A 1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AT A UNKNOWN SPEED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER PASSED AWAY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE POLICE DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V035000 (AIR BAGS) 3 YEARS AFTER THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT*JB*DT
NHTSA complaint #11319828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hormigueros, PR
STEERING
TAKATA RECALL # OOV-311 002 CRANSHAFT PULLER BOLT , FUI A LA CAMPAA DEALER MITSUBISHI PARR AUTO EN MAYAGUEZ PUERTO RICO, PARA CAMBIAR EL TORNILLO DEL DAMPER , EL VEHICULO EN MOVIMIENTO EN CARRETERA ME HA BOTADO EL TORNILLO YA 3 VECES Y HA CONSECUENSIAS ME HA HECHO AVERIAS EN EL MOTOR ,ME ROMPIO EL RADIADOR POLEAS DAMPER CUA Y OTROS Y EL ALTO RIESGO DE TENER UN ACCIDENTE ME PREOCUPA ,EL 6/20/2012 EL SUPERVISOR DE LOS TECNICOS MARIO ANDRADES Y CESAR EN SAN JUAN DE AUTO STOP / MITSUBISHI EN AGUADA, PUERTO RICO YA TIENEN CONOCIMIENTO DEL RECALL Y LOS TECNICOS DE AUTO STOP INSPECIONARON EL VEHICULO A SABIENDAS DE DICHA CAMPAA , ME DIERON POR ESCRITO QUE QUE POR HABER REPARADO EL VEHICULO EN MC/AUTO SERVICE UN MECANICO CERTIFICADO , Y PIDO EL REEMBOLSO DEL DINERO Y ME PIDIERON TODAS LAS FACTURAS DE LAS PIEZAS Y LA LABOR LA CUAL SE LAS ENVIE Y LO HIBAN A EVALUAR COSA QUE NUNCA ME ENVIARON CONTESTACION Y LO LLAMABA EN MUCHAS OCACIONES Y NADA , LUEGO EL 14 DE AGOSTO 2018 EL VEHICULO EN MOVIMIENTO POR LA CARRETERA VOLVIO Y ME BOTO OTRA VEZ EL TORNILLO DEL DAMPER Y ME HIZO UNA AVERIA LA CUAL REPARE EN CENTRO J.VELEZ ID AU-97-50-0083 Y LLEVO LA MONTERO A AUTO STOP / MITSUBISHI Y HABLO CON EL SUPERVISOR MARIO ANDRADE Y ME DIJO QUE YA LA MITSUBISHI MONTERO ERA DEL 1999 Y YA EL RECALL NO LE APLICA Y LE DIJE DE LA CARTA QUE ME ENVIARON LA VEZ ANTERIOR Y ME CONTESTA EL SUPERVISOR DE LOS TECNICOS MARIO ANDRADE QUE ESE DOCUMENTO NO ES VALIDO Y SE LO ENSEE QUE TIENE SU NOMBRE Y SU FIRMA Y ME DIJO QUE NO PODIA HACER NADA Y ME DIJO QUE CAMBIE LA GUAGUA , POR FAVOR NO ME SIENTO SEGURO CON LA MITSUBISHI MONTERO 1999 Y NECESITO QUE ME AYUDEN..NUM ID NHTSA; 11122350
NHTSA complaint #11131805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 174,598 milesHormigueros, PR
STEERING
ALTO RIESGO EN EL TORNILLO DE DAMPER Y CUA , MITSUBISHI MONTERO 199 3,0 LITROS YA A VOTADO YA 4 VECES EL TORNILLO DEL DAMPER Y HA HECHO AVERIAS AL MOTOR Y ME SIENTO INISEGURO EN EL VEHICULO , LA MITSUBISHIEN PR TENEN CONOCIMIENTO DEL RECALL Y LAS VECES QUE HA ROTO LA MONTERO Y NO QUIERE HACERSE RESPONSABLES NECESITO AYUDA , POR FAVOR YA HA SIDO MUCHAS VECES Y ESTO ES UN ALTO RIESGO , SEGUN SUS NORMAS
NHTSA complaint #11122350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 174,598 milesHormigueros, PR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ALTO RIESGO EN EL TORNILLO DE DAMPER Y CUA , MITSUBISHI MONTERO 199 3,0 LITROS YA A VOTADO YA 4 VECES EL TORNILLO DEL DAMPER Y HA HECHO AVERIAS AL MOTOR Y ME SIENTO INISEGURO EN EL VEHICULO , LA MITSUBISHIEN PR TENEN CONOCIMIENTO DEL RECALL Y LAS VECES QUE HA ROTO LA MONTERO Y NO QUIERE HACERSE RESPONSABLES NECESITO AYUDA , POR FAVOR YA HA SIDO MUCHAS VECES Y ESTO ES UN ALTO RIESGO , SEGUN SUS NORMAS
NHTSA complaint #11122350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesFayetteville, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AND UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *CN UPDATED 01/02/09.
NHTSA complaint #10250702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesStuart, FL
AIR BAGS
NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL#D17 CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING. MASSEY YARDLEY, 772-546-1800.
NHTSA complaint #10109610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesPeoria, AZFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1999 MONTERO BLEW UP AND CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING 2ND DEGREE BURNS MITSH REFUSES TO RELAEASE RECALL OR SPECIFICATINS TO ME WONT CALL ME BACK OR RESPOND TO LETTERS IT HAS BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE 1ST CONTACT THEY DID OPEN A CASE FILE BUT THEN REFUSES TO CONTACT ME.
NHTSA complaint #10075401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPeoria, AZFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO BLEW UP ON ME FOR NO REASON MITSH REFUSES TO RELEASE ANY RECALL/SPEC/SAFETY RECORDS TO ME THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL RIGHT OFF DID CAUSE SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO MYSELF..FIRE DEPT SAID MAGNESIUM SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH RATE OF LOST AND BURN FACTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10064587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPeoria, AZFire1 injured
EQUIPMENT
1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO BLEW UP ON ME FOR NO REASON MITSH REFUSES TO RELEASE ANY RECALL/SPEC/SAFETY RECORDS TO ME THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL RIGHT OFF DID CAUSE SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO MYSELF..FIRE DEPT SAID MAGNESIUM SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH RATE OF LOST AND BURN FACTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10064587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED 5 TO 15MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10026454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10012128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Sobrante, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WARP UNDER NORMAL USE
NHTSA complaint #10000624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tobyhanna, PACrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT
HIGHW SPEED OF40MPH VEHICLE SHIFTED WITH HEAVY WHEEL VIBRATION VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLED AND REPORTED THIS COMPLAINT TO THE FACTORY. WHEN MAKIN A TURN IF THERE WAS A CRACK OR POT HOLE IN THE STREET THE VEHICLE HAD A TENDENCY TO SHIFT OFF THE WHEELS LEANING TO LEFT. IF IT RAINS THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE TO THE LEFT.
NHTSA complaint #751700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pomona, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE RECALLED (00V-311) FAULTY CRANKSHAFT BOLT BECAUSE IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE CRACKED, THE CONSUMER FEELS THE BOLT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THE COMPONENT FAILS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER IS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #885580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
CONSUMER IS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #885580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE SR01004 IN THE MAIL.CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE ON DATE. AFTER ARRIVING WAS INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRS. HAD CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT VERY INFORMATIVE REGARDING PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #884729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
SUSPENSION:REAR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabeth Town, KY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 50-55MPH AND WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. VEHICLE HAD 30 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. WHEN DEALER WAS CONTACTED, DEALER NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR AFTER ONLY 30 THOUSAND MILES.
NHTSA complaint #875689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilroy, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY EXPLODED. DENTED HOOD AND SPRAYED ACID EVERYWHERE. NO REASON FOR THE EXPLOSION GIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #722132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hinesville, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY TRUK HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THEY CHIME AND HAVE MESSED UP. MY TRUCK GOED SIDE TO SIDE. ALSO, TOLD ME THAT THE FREON IS LEAKING, WHEN YOU DRIVE YOU FEEL IT . IAM SO MAD THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE . THANK YOU MRS JACKIE MUNOZ.
NHTSA complaint #720029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.