1997 Mitsubishi Montero: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints); the 1996 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2011
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2008
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2008
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2008
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2007
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2004
“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. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2004
“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.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THIRD-SEAT LATCH AND STRIKER. A RECTANGLE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CARGO MAT AROUND EACH STRIKER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STRIKER CLEARANCE AND PROPER LATCHING.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ROUTING. IF THE LINES ARE NOT CORRECTLY CENTERED IN THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE, THE LINES WILL BE REPOSITIONED BY BENDING SLIGHTLY TO CORRECT. IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF BRAKE LINE WEAR, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Montero 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 1997 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Mitsubishi Montero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 110,500 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning unknown or other. 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.