1999 Mitsubishi Montero: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (25% of complaints).
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 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2021
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
“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”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2017
“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. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2008
“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. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2004
“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. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2004
“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.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2003
“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. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2001
“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. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 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 - 2 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.
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 1999 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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero. The most complained-about area is suspension (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mitsubishi Montero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero have open recalls?
2 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.