Model year record

1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls & problems

The 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has 1 safety recall and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (14 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints29filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingOct 2, 2000

Engine

Recall 00V311001210,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; MONTERO SPORT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES; AND MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.
Risk: THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. ON THE MONTERO MODELS, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE BOLT IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Montero Sport 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Montero Sport 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Montero Sport 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Montero Sport 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys	14	0	0	0	120,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	4	0	0	0	160,600 mi
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut	2	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator	2	0	1	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	0	0	0	—
Power train	2	0	0	0	—
Engine	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield	1	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	1	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, TRANSMISSION MOUNT, UNIVERSAL BOLT, AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V311001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.
Jul 2, 2015 · 114,000 miles
Engine
VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND STALLED. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT FELL OUT AND HARMONIC BALANCER FELL OFF.CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR
Apr 12, 2015 · 250,639 miles
Engine
COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE, CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT DEFECTIVE SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. *TR
Mar 12, 2015 · 167,000 miles
Steering
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT CAME LOOSE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. HAD TO STEER VERY HARD MANUALLY TO PARK CAR. DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Oct 28, 2014 · 160,600 miles
Steering
STEERING TERMINAL CAME OFF MAKING THE VEHICLE GO IN DANGER. *TR
Sep 8, 2009 · 170,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE SO IT COULD WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE. WHILE IN THE HOUSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD BOOM SIMILAR TO AN EXPLOSION. SHE FOUND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE SALVAGE YARD. THE SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE SUSTAINED PROPERTY DAMAGE. IN JULY OF 2008, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN SHE ACTIVATED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO A SHORT ON THE CONNECTOR…
Oct 21, 2008 · 116,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT AND BOLT PULLED OUT FROM THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER APPROVED THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V311001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.
Aug 8, 2008 · 126,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
I OWN A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT LS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT, NHTSA RECALL ID: 00V311001. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BOLT. THIS WAS BACK IN 2000. IN FEBRUARY OF 2008 I WAS DRIVING, GETTING READY TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A GRINDING AND THEN A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, I LOST POWER STEERING AND QUICKLY PULLED OVER. POPPED THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAD BROKEN OFF. I TOWED IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD BROKEN. HE GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $2400 TO HAVE THE CRANKSHAFT REPLACED, OR $3100 TO PUT IN A REBUILT ENGINE. I CALLED MITSUBIHSI AND TALKED TO S…
Feb 10, 2008 · 130,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.