NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Mitsubishi Montero Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1997 Mitsubishi Montero has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 63 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Mitsubishi Montero owner complaints

Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero, describing incidents dated May 5, 1997 to May 31, 2014.

Most-cited components

Engine 17 complaints
Service Brakes 14 complaints
Electrical System 8 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints
Air Bags 5 complaints
Equipment 5 complaints

Of the 63 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 63 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10597034 · Filed June 9, 2014
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…
ODI #10396534 · Filed April 16, 2011
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…
ODI #10384572 · Filed February 26, 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…

Read all 63 complaints

MITSUBISHI/BRAKE LINES

NHTSA #98V220000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported September 9, 1998 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 61,800 vehicles

Owners notified October 23, 1998 · Vehicles built June 17, 1996 – May 18, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 1998.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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MITSUBISHI/CARGO MATS

NHTSA #98V205000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported September 2, 1998 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 60,243 vehicles

Owners notified October 16, 1998 · Vehicles built July 1, 1993 – June 30, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 16, 1998.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 SHOULDCONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1997 Mitsubishi Montero 4-DR. 4x4

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

63 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero.

Electrical System; Seats

ODI #10597034

Fire

Incident: May 31, 2014 · Filed: June 9, 2014

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

ODI #10396534

Incident: April 16, 2011 · Filed: April 16, 2011

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

ODI #10384572

Incident: May 12, 2009 · Filed: February 26, 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

Fuel System, Gasoline; Unknown or Other

ODI #10326077

Fire 1 injury

Incident: July 15, 2008 · Filed: April 16, 2010

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

ODI #10320369

Incident: March 5, 2008 · Filed: March 17, 2010

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

ODI #10240750

Incident: June 15, 2008 · Filed: September 3, 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Equipment

ODI #10196657

Incident: June 25, 2007 · Filed: July 18, 2007

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

ODI #10164861

Incident: September 26, 2005 · Filed: August 7, 2006

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electrical System

ODI #10090429

Incident: September 1, 2004 · Filed: September 4, 2004

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10082008

Incident: July 14, 2004 · Filed: July 14, 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

Other Mitsubishi Montero model years

Check your 1997 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Montero at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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