1997 Mitsubishi Montero

Routine

Owners filed 63 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Mitsubishi Montero years to avoid. Which Mitsubishi Montero years to avoid →

Most common 1997 Mitsubishi Montero problems

14 of the 63 complaints (22%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine4
000
Suspension › Front3
102
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · brakes3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine3
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags3
302
Structure › Body · body and frame2
100
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar2
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings98V220000
Filed Sep 9, 199861,800 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. 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.

Risk. BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAK RESULTING IN DETERIORATED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE INDICATOR LAMP.

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.

Unknown or Other98V205000
Filed Sep 2, 199860,243 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. 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.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT OF THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

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.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
SeatsFire
Filed Jun 9, 2014172,000 milesPA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2011270,000 milesVA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 26, 2011MO

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

Unknown or OtherFire1 injured
Filed Apr 16, 201061,505 milesHI

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 17, 2010156,000 milesVA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 3, 2008190,000 milesFL

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.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jul 18, 2007134,990 milesCA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 7, 200692,165 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND BOLT BECAME DISCONNECTED. THIS OCCURRED TWICE.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Sep 4, 2004110,500 milesVA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 16, 200475,000 milesFL

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jul 14, 2004AK

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

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit BreakersFire
Filed Jul 11, 2004MA

IN EARLY 2003 I PURCHASED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO FULL SUV. IN APRIL 2003 MY GIRL FRIEND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ONE DAY , WHEN IT JUST BROKE DOWN ON HER .HEN SHE TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START.I GOT IT TOWED,AND MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID ONE OF THE MAIN FUSE (MFI-MULTI FUEL INJECTION) HAD BLOWN.*AK HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE CAR WAS FINE, TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN , SO HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHECKED FOR ANY RECALL THERE WAS NONE.ON 7/8/04 IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME WHEN THE FUSE WAS REPLACED I TURNED OVER THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS SMOKING THROUGH THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE I WAS SO SCARED I RAN AWAY FROM IT UNTIL THE SMOKE WENT AWAY.THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME ALL THE BURNED WIRE IN THE HARNESS, PLEASE LET ME NOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM

Steering
Filed Oct 20, 2003NJ

CRANKSHAFT BOLT IS LOOSENING ON VEHICLE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*MR CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T RECOGNIZED TO BE WITHIN THE RECALL. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT AND HAD TO PAY $1355.56 FOR REPAIRS AND $130.00 FOR TOWING. CONSUMER FEELS MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER COSTS OF REPAIRS AND TOWING DUE TO THE RECALL THAT WAS CREATED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *PH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2003NJ

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 00V311002 . THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT LOOSENED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOST OF POWER STEERING. *TS *PH *NLM

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Sep 4, 200396,000 milesKY

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, PASSENGER (WIFE) MOVED HER WINDOW VISOR, A FLAME SHOT OUT TOWARDS HER FACE COMING FROM UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF WINDOW VISOR, WHERE WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED OVER TIME, DUE TO A PLASTIC COVERING EDGE TO HIDE WIRE.*AK FLAME WAS 4-5 INCHES LONG, 1 INCH THICK AND FLAMED FOR 6-8 SECONDS, THEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF THICK GREY SMOKE CAME FROM AREA. WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED AWAY THE WIRING COVER AND WAS TOUCHING THE METAL ROD USED TO HOLD UP VISOR. FUSE DID NOT BLOW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE MY HEADLINER, BEHIND DASH, ETC.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 28, 2003MD

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *TT

Power Train › Driveline › Differential UnitCrash4 injured
Filed Feb 11, 200362,295 milesCA

PROBLEM WITH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX, JUST RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 3 WEEKS LATER CAR WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. DRIVER STEERED SLIGHTLY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS MAKING AN ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE AND MONTERO WENT OUT OF CONTROL. NEITHER STEERING NOR BRAKING COULD STOP OR AFFECT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 3, 2002MA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER. CONSUMER STATES' NOW VEHICLE WILL NOT START. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2002AL

AFTER VEHICLE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS IMPACTED AND DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS OKAY. WHILE DRIVING THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BROKE. THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS TS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2002NY

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 49 DAYS THE OIL PLUG CAME OUT, ALL THE OIL FELLOUT OF THE CAR AND ENGINE LOCKED, DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED MY WARRANTY*AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jul 16, 2002VT

FAILURE CAUSED ERRATIC OPERATION OF POWER DOOR LOCKS, ALARM AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. OF SPECIAL CONCERN WAS THE RAPID FAILURE OF DOOR LOCKING COMPONENTS.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 24, 2001NM

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH HIT AN ELK, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly
Filed Mar 16, 2001OH

REAR AXLE LEAF SPRING BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Mar 16, 2001MA

VEHICLE WAS IN 40 MPH CAR COLLISION, CRASHED INTO A TREE, AND ROOF COLLAPSED. ONTO CONSUMER'S HUSBAND. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Feb 20, 2001MD

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. REGULAR BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO WORK WHENEVER PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HAD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, AND BRAKES BLED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 16, 2001PR

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND NEVER GOES OFF, ON ONE OCCASION WHEN THE BATTERY WAS FAILED, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 16, 2000NY

THIS CAR WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT & SOLD TO ME WITHOUT A MV-103 FORM OR TITLE STATING THAT THIS A REBUILT SALVAGE. NO SAFTCY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 23, 2000CA

DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER DOES NOT HOLD A CUP PROPERLY. THIS ALLOWS THE CUP TO FALL OVER WHICH DISTRACTS THE DRIVER. ALSO, CAUSES LIQUID TO SPILL ALL OVER THE DASH, WHICH CAUSES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 10, 2000WA

I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND CD CHANGER ON THIS VEHICLE, AS WELL AS NUMBROUS OTHER PROBLEMS. PLEASE ADVISE IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Nov 5, 1999TX

I'VE HAD SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES TWICE NOW. MY BRAKES PULSATE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I'VE HAD MY ROTORS RESURFACED TWICE.(1) AT 34,000 MILES & (2) AT 58840. THE WARRANTY THE DEALER SHIP GIVES ME IS 3 MONTH OR 3000 MILES FOR PULSATING, EVEN IF I WERE TO BUY NEW ROTORS. I' VE HAD TO RECENTLY REPLACE MY RIGHT BACK SHOE BECAUSE IT WAS RUBBUING METAL ON METAL BUT MY LEFT SIDE WAS PERFECTLY FINE. THEY COULD'NT GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION WHY. I'M TIRED OF PAYING $ 500 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM YEAR AFTER YEAR. MY ANTENNA WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT BROKE OFF, SO I HAD THE DEALER PUT A NEW ONE IN A YEAR AGO AND NOW THE ANTENNA DOESN'T GO DOWN. MY MOONROOFS COVER (INTERIOR ) POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO PUT IT BACK IN. THESE ARE THE COUPLE OF PROBLEMS I'VE ENCOUNTERED. I ESPECIALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS TRUCK WHEN IT STARTS TO PULSATE. I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD BABY & I'M ALWAYS AFRAID SOMETHING IS GOING TO GO WRONG.

Suspension › Front
Filed Oct 8, 1999RI

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH OR FASTER THE FRONT END BEGINS TO VIBRATE VERY HARD. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 24, 1999TX

MY SUV ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAS STALLED WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO STOP. ON ONE OCCASION, MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STANDSTILL-WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON EACH OCCASION, WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING UPON ACCELERATING FROM STANDSTILL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION COULD PROVE TO BE VERY DANGEROUL!!!!!!!!!!!

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Aug 5, 1999LA

NO SUMMARY

Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 17, 1999NV

I AM SCARED. AT 50-70MPH THE VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT TIRES UP THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL IS DANGEROUS, BORDERS ON LOSING CONTROL. RESEARCH ON INTERNET: THIS IS A HIGHLY COMMON PROBLEM FOR MONTERO SPORT OWNERS. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jul 14, 1999MI

SEAT BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHMENT BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Suspension › FrontCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 29, 1999PR

VEHICLE LOST CONTROL IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING IMPACT. MJS (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Filed Jun 4, 1999FL

ENTIRE FAN AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. SHEARED OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING IN INTER CITY TRAFFIC, IF THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY THIS ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE DAMAGED EITHER THE STEERING, FUEL OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE LOCAL DEALER AND FACTORY REPRESENTATIVES HAVE REVIEWED AND COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS JUST A FAILURE DUE TO MILEAGE. IF THIS IS THE CASE THERE POTENTIALLY ARE MANY VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE THAT MAY EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Apr 20, 1999CA

STEERING COLUMN KNOCKS AND RATTLES WHILE DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH. DEALER WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. TAKEN IN 12 TIMES. *AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Mar 25, 1999CA

I BELIEVE THERE TO BE A DEFECT IN THE POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BELT MOUNTS IN THE SECOND ROW SEATS (SEATS DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER'S SEATS). THE MOUNTS ARE PLACED TOO HIGH ON THE FRAME TO ALLOW PROPER INSTALLATION OF CHILD CAR SEATS LIKE THE EVENFLOW ON MY WAY BASE AND THE GERRY BRAND BOOSTER SEAT. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A SNUG TIE DOWN TO PREVENT LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE CHILD SEATS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 1, 1999FL

ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, ENGINE STALLS, AND VEHICLE HAS TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES IN ORDER TO BE STARTED AGAIN. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Tires
Filed Feb 28, 1999WA

DESPITE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE THESE TIRES - THEY CONSISTENTLY RETURN TO THEIR ORIGINAL STATE AND CAUSE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 265-70-15 )

Suspension
Filed Feb 19, 1999TX

WHEN DRIVING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY STEERING COLUMN AND VEHICLE SEVRELY VIBRATE WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Feb 3, 1999NC

FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WARPING DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEA., DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY WHY OVERHEATING OCCURS. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKE LINES LEAKED FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND FADE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jan 31, 1999MA

I READ IN NOV. IMPORT SERVICE MAGAZINE THAT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL FAIL IF THE VEHICLE IS LIFTED BY THE FRAME. IF THIS IS CORRECT WON'T THE BRAKE HOSE FAIL WHEN THE REAR WHEEL DROP INTO A HOLE IN THE ROAD? I DO NOT OWN SUCH A VEHICLE BUT AM CONCERNED IF THERE REPORT WAS CORRECT THAT THIS WILL BE A PROBLEM. THEY REPORTED THAT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WAS TOO SHORT AND THE REAR AXLE WILL NEED TO BE TIED UP BEFORE THE TRUCK IS LIFTED BY THE FRAME. PAGE 19 IN TECH. TIPS SECTION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 3, 1998MA

MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR-98-005; VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR WORK ON BRAKES, DEALER FOUND PROBLEM IN THE BRAKE MOTOR, AND WANTS CONSUMER TO PAY $570 FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS BEFORE THE RECALL PROBLEM CAN BE REMEDIED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 29, 1998DE

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP, AND ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Oct 26, 1998GA

THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 17 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH IT ARE THE WHEEN BEARING, AIRCONDITIONING AND THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN WITH NO WARNING. WHEN WE TAKE IT IN EITHER THEY SAY THEY CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WITH THE WHEEL BEARING, THEY FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME. IT STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN AND THEY SAID THAT IT WASNT THE WHEEL BEARING.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 23, 1998MA

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. VEHICLE SKIDS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE.*AK

Child Seat
Filed Oct 20, 1998FL

CHILD SAFETY SEAT WITH THE SEAT BELT EXTENDED IN PROPER LOCKING MODE THE CSS STILL MOVES AROUND ON BOTH SIDES. GIVES MORE THAN 2 INCHES, WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE FMVSS OF INSTALLING A CHILDSEAT, (EVENFLO REGULAR ULTRIA), CONSUMER HAS TRIED THREE DIFFERENT CSS IN VEHICLE AND NOTHING IS COMPATIBLE. *AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Oct 13, 1998MO

WINDOW SEAL MALFUNCTIONED.

Complaints 1-50 of 63, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20064000Routine
20051000Routine
20045300Routine
200339210Routine
2002111311Fatalities reported
2001166420Routine
200051210Routine
199940221Fatalities reported
199874400Routine
1997 — this page63240Routine
199627200Routine
199586202Fatalities reported
199431501Fatalities reported
199314300Routine
199212400Routine
199118220Routine
199023120Routine

Compare every Montero year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 9, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.