1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Transmission warning light came on to indicate overheat or possible transmission failure. I had to pull off the highway to the breakdown lane (safety concern) to allow trans to cool down. I now discover mitsubishi has a tech service bulletin (tsb) on this issue for my vehicle, requiring installation of a larger capacity transmission pan, filter and screen, and a longer fill tube and measuring wand. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2009
“On sat. 2/6/2010 while driving, I experienced loss of steering which scared me for a moment. After pulling over, I investigated what caused the problem, and found that my harmonic balancer had come loose. I got my vehicle back to the house, and parked it. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2008
“The driver noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and the vehicle was towed to a body shop for inspection. The cause has not been determined at this time. *tt”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“The consumer noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle caught on fire.the fire department extinguished the fire and the vehicle was towed to a body shop. The cause has not been determined at this time. Please provide further details.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2005
“1999 montero sport. The air conditioner a/c belt went out 3 times last summer and now, its summer again in az, and there goes the a/c again! It has not been a year since the last a/c repair! Did I fail to mention the transmission had to be completely rebuilt before 80,000 miles?. *ak”Owner report · Equipment · Jul 2003
“The motor for my windshield wipers just suddenly went out. I am also upset that the parts store quoted me a price of $110, only to discover that it would be two weeks before one could be obtained, and then only mitsubishi would sell it to me and for $190. Why would a motor go out on a vehicle with only 86,000 miles?. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2003
“Air conditioner was not working properly. Air conditioner belt disappeared. Contacted dealer, and dealer could not locate air conditioner belt, and didn't know what happened. *ak”Owner report · Equipment · Nov 2001
“Consumer was traveling on highway and made a sudden stop. He went into the windshield, and driver's side seat bracket broke. Dealership was aware of problem. Metal that attached the bracket was very thin. *ak *jb”Owner report · Seats · May 2001
“Consumer was involved in an accident because brakes failed to stop vehicle, resulting in an accident. Consumer attempted to stop, there was no pressure behind brake pedal. Attempted to pump brakes ,and that slowed vehicle down, but not in time to prevent an accident. Consumer rear ended another vehicle at approximately 10-15 mph. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2001
“Brakes are making noise and are wearing out faster than normal. Consumer states that brake fluid stays at half way mark. *ak also, the right front tire was wearing out unevenly due to poor alignmen and bad brakes. *yh”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; MONTERO SPORT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES; AND MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. ON THE MONTERO MODELS, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE BOLT IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD BE VENTED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF UNANTICIPATED HEAT GENERATION IN THE TRANSMISSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT TO LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED TO BELOW APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE, AN ADDITIONAL LABEL DESCRIBING THE PROPER USE OF FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE WILL BE PROVIDED, AND WILL RELOCATE THE TRANSMISSION BREATHER VENT. IN ADDITION, THE OWNER'S MANUAL WILL BE CORRECTED WITH THE PROPER INFORMATION TO REFLECT THE CHANGE TO THE SPEED LIMITATIONS IN THE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH NONCOMPLIANT BRAKE VACUUM HOSES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Montero Sport by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,750 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.