NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Mitsubishi Montero Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Mitsubishi Montero has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 74 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1998 Mitsubishi Montero owner complaints

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero, describing incidents dated August 28, 1997 to May 6, 2021.

Most-cited components

Suspension 18 complaints
Engine 10 complaints
Service Brakes 9 complaints
Air Bags 6 complaints
Structure 5 complaints
Unknown or Other 5 complaints

Of the 74 complaints on file, 9 report a crash; across all 74 complaints, owners report 12 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11415421 · Filed May 6, 2021
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…
ODI #11362913 · Filed October 5, 2020
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…
ODI #11350758 · Filed August 22, 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…

Read all 74 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE98-042: REAR FOLDING SEAT DISENGAGEMENT
Closed September 3, 1998
- Recall 98V-205

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #20V035000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 23, 2020 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 18,123 vehicles

Repair completion: 4.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-20-001 · Owners notified February 25, 2021 · Vehicles built June 12, 1997 – December 31, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL

NHTSA #04V428000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

Potentially affected: 100,432 vehicles

Vehicles built June 1, 1997 – June 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THE MANUFACTURER'S PETITION WHICH REQUESTED THAT NHTSA DETERMINE THIS FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE DOES NOT CREATE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY WAS PARTIALLY DENIED ON JANUARY 26, 2005. THEREFORE, THIS MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO CONDUCT AN OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.

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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

74 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11415421

Incident: May 6, 2021 · Filed: May 6, 2021

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11362913

Incident: September 1, 2020 · Filed: October 5, 2020

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.

Engine

ODI #11350758

Incident: August 13, 2020 · Filed: August 22, 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

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11319367

Incident: January 1, 2019 · Filed: March 26, 2020

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10231335

Incident: June 13, 2008 · Filed: June 17, 2008

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

Steering; Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10187107

Incident: March 23, 2007 · Filed: April 5, 2007

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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10165676

Incident: August 10, 2006 · Filed: August 16, 2006

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF. LOST BELTS, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR POWER . REPAIR SHOP SAYS ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. *NM

Air Bags

ODI #10136122

Incident: August 26, 2005 · Filed: September 11, 2005

MINOR PROBLEM WITH SWELLING IN DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, 1998 MITS MONTERO, VIN[XXX]. PURCHASED NEW IN SANTA MARIA CA. THE SWELLING AIRBAG HAS CAUSED CONTINUOUS HORN ACTIVATION. THE HORN HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. QUESTIONS: DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS THAT INDICATE A TREND WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AFFECTED THE HORN? IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? THE DEALER IN SAN ANTONIO SAYS THE AIRBAG STILL WORKS BUT CAN'T BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACEMENT PART QUOTED IS MR390111, MODULE AIR BAG, D-BROWN, PYRO TYPE FOR $688.33. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags

ODI #10099789

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: June 6, 2003 · Filed: November 10, 2004

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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10068313

Incident: April 25, 1999 · Filed: May 5, 2004

CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE, CAUSING TIMING BELT PULLEY/SPROCKET TO FALL OFF. THIS IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE AND COULD HAD CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THE MONTERO 3.0 ENGINE FOR SAME PROBLEM..WHY NOT THE 3.5? INTEND TO CONTACT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION. VERY POOR DESIGN.*AK

Other Mitsubishi Montero model years

Check your 1998 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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