NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Mitsubishi Montero Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Mitsubishi Montero has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 40 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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1999 Mitsubishi Montero owner complaints

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero, describing incidents dated October 27, 1998 to March 30, 2021.

Most-cited components

Suspension 11 complaints
Power Train 8 complaints
Air Bags 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Service Brakes 4 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints

Of the 40 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 40 complaints, owners report 4 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11405682 · Filed March 30, 2021
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
ODI #11382925 · Filed December 10, 2020
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…
ODI #11377126 · Filed November 30, 2020
I WENT TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO PART TO DO OR FIX THE RECALL

Read all 40 complaints

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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

40 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11405682

Incident: March 30, 2021 · Filed: March 30, 2021

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

Air Bags

ODI #11382925

Incident: December 10, 2020 · Filed: December 10, 2020

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11377126

Incident: November 30, 2020 · Filed: November 30, 2020

I WENT TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO PART TO DO OR FIX THE RECALL

Air Bags

ODI #11319828

Crash 1 death

Incident: April 28, 2017 · Filed: March 31, 2020

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

Steering

ODI #11131805

Incident: August 14, 2018 · Filed: September 26, 2018

TAKATA RECALL # OOV-311 002 CRANSHAFT PULLER BOLT , FUI A LA CAMPAA DEALER MITSUBISHI PARR AUTO EN MAYAGUEZ PUERTO RICO, PARA CAMBIAR EL TORNILLO DEL DAMPER , EL VEHICULO EN MOVIMIENTO EN CARRETERA ME HA BOTADO EL TORNILLO YA 3 VECES Y HA CONSECUENSIAS ME HA HECHO AVERIAS EN EL MOTOR ,ME ROMPIO EL RADIADOR POLEAS DAMPER CUA Y OTROS Y EL ALTO RIESGO DE TENER UN ACCIDENTE ME PREOCUPA ,EL 6/20/2012 EL SUPERVISOR DE LOS TECNICOS MARIO ANDRADES Y CESAR EN SAN JUAN DE AUTO STOP / MITSUBISHI EN AGUADA, PUERTO RICO YA TIENEN CONOCIMIENTO DEL RECALL Y LOS TECNICOS DE AUTO STOP INSPECIONARON EL VEHICULO A SABIENDAS DE DICHA CAMPAA , ME DIERON POR ESCRITO QUE QUE POR HABER REPARADO EL VEHICULO EN MC/AUTO SERVICE UN MECANICO CERTIFICADO , Y PIDO EL REEMBOLSO DEL DINERO Y ME PIDIERON TODAS LAS FACTURAS DE LAS PIEZAS Y LA LABOR LA CUAL SE LAS ENVIE Y LO HIBAN A EVALUAR COSA QUE NUNCA ME ENVIARON CONTESTACION Y LO LLAMABA EN MUCHAS OCACIONES Y NADA , LUEGO EL 14 DE AGOSTO 2018 EL VEHICULO EN MOVIMIENTO POR LA CARRETERA VOLVIO Y ME BOTO OTRA VEZ EL TORNILLO DEL DAMPER Y ME HIZO UNA AVERIA LA CUAL REPARE EN CENTRO J.VELEZ ID AU-97-50-0083 Y LLEVO LA MONTERO A AUTO STOP / MITSUBISHI Y HABLO CON EL SUPERVISOR MARIO ANDRADE Y ME DIJO QUE YA LA MITSUBISHI MONTERO ERA DEL 1999 Y YA EL RECALL NO LE APLICA Y LE DIJE DE LA CARTA QUE ME ENVIARON LA VEZ ANTERIOR Y ME CONTESTA EL SUPERVISOR DE LOS TECNICOS MARIO ANDRADE QUE ESE DOCUMENTO NO ES VALIDO Y SE LO ENSEE QUE TIENE SU NOMBRE Y SU FIRMA Y ME DIJO QUE NO PODIA HACER NADA Y ME DIJO QUE CAMBIE LA GUAGUA , POR FAVOR NO ME SIENTO SEGURO CON LA MITSUBISHI MONTERO 1999 Y NECESITO QUE ME AYUDEN..NUM ID NHTSA; 11122350

Steering; Unknown or Other

ODI #11122350

Incident: August 14, 2018 · Filed: August 25, 2018

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

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10250702

Incident: November 28, 2008 · Filed: December 4, 2008

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

Air Bags

ODI #10109610

Incident: October 13, 2004 · Filed: February 2, 2005

NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL#D17 CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING. MASSEY YARDLEY, 772-546-1800. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10075401

Fire 1 injury

Incident: February 16, 2004 · Filed: June 15, 2004

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

Engine and Engine Cooling; Equipment

ODI #10064587

Fire 1 injury

Incident: February 16, 2004 · Filed: April 5, 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

Other Mitsubishi Montero model years

Check your 1999 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.

Check a Mitsubishi VIN