1998 Mitsubishi Montero: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 74 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (23% of complaints); the 1996 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2021
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“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). *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2019
“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. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2008
“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.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2007
“Crankshaft pulley broke off. Lost belts, lost power steering and alternator power . Repair shop says engine must be replaced. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2006
“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.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2003
“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. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2003
“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.*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
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.
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.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-001.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
NHTSA has 74 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero. The most complained-about area is suspension (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Mitsubishi Montero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,500 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.