Model year record

1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls & problems

The 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has 3 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is equipment (7 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints33filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 5, 2001

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 01V02700019,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH NONCOMPLIANT BRAKE VACUUM HOSES.
Risk: THESE HOSES COULD BURST CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. 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.

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.

Power trainMar 4, 1999

Automatic transmission

Recall 99V04100010,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD BE VENTED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF UNANTICIPATED HEAT GENERATION IN THE TRANSMISSION.
Risk: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT TO LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED TO BELOW APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE, AN ADDITIONAL LABEL DESCRIBING THE PROPER USE OF FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE WILL BE PROVIDED, AND WILL RELOCATE THE TRANSMISSION BREATHER VENT. IN ADDITION, THE OWNER'S MANUAL WILL BE CORRECTED WITH THE PROPER INFORMATION TO REFLECT THE CHANGE TO THE SPEED LIMITATIONS IN THE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE.

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

20mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Montero Sport 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Montero Sport 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Montero Sport 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/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*
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	7	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	6	1	0	1	143,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft	5	0	0	0	83,246 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	5	1	0	0	—
SuspensionRear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly; Front	5	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist › Pump	4	0	0	0	—
Tires	3	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door	3	1	2	1	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights; Headlights	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	2	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	0	2	—
Electrical systemHorn	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

Engine
MY CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN 3 TIMES THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE, THEN FOUND OUT IT HAD AN OPEN RECALL FROM 2000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY, FELT THEY DISMISSED MY SITUATION AS I TOLD THEM THE CAR WAS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL DESCRIBED AND I WAS CONCERNED IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I EXPLAINED IN DETAIL ABOUT THE 1ST TWO REPAIRS. MY CAR BROKE DOWN YESTERDAY, AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER, AND WAS ONCE AGAIN UNDRIVEABLE. IT IS RELATED TO THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. I SENT THE DEALER A VERY DETAILED EMAIL ABOUT THIS FINAL SITUATION AND TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS FILING A COMPLAINT. NO RESPONSE FROM THEM. THE RECALL IS REGARDING A BOLT THAT SECURES A PULLEY. EACH TIME THIS…
Oct 6, 2016 · 150,000 miles
Tires
TIRES PURCHASE NEW, MAINTAINED WELL WITH APPROX 25K MILES OF WEAR. WITH NO NOTICE, HAD A TREAD SEPARATION ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE. TOOK TO DEALER AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH ONLY A PARTIAL CREDIT FOR WARRANTY. OTHER TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND TOLD IT WAS A FLUKE. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WAS PULLING OFF FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH AND LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED AND RIPPED FENDER OFF OF SUV. NO NOTICE OF WEAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WITNESS DRIVER PULLED OVER AND TOLD ME THAT HIS WIFE NOTICED A HUGE BUBBLE IN THE TIRE RIGHT BEFORE THE TREAD FELL APART. TOOK TO DEALER AGAIN AND THEY SAID IN EFFECT, "SO SAD, TOO BAD" BUT I MUST BE UNLUCKY AND THE OTHER TWO TIRES STILL "LOOK" GOOD. TIRE REPLACED. NOW,…
Nov 5, 2013
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
ON SAT. 2/6/2010 WHILE DRIVING, I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING WHICH SCARED ME FOR A MOMENT. AFTER PULLING OVER, I INVESTIGATED WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, AND FOUND THAT MY HARMONIC BALANCER HAD COME LOOSE. I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE HOUSE, AND PARKED IT. *TR
Feb 5, 2008 · 180,291 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TO INDICATE OVERHEAT OR POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE (SAFETY CONCERN) TO ALLOW TRANS TO COOL DOWN. I NOW DISCOVER MITSUBISHI HAS A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THIS ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE, REQUIRING INSTALLATION OF A LARGER CAPACITY TRANSMISSION PAN, FILTER AND SCREEN, AND A LONGER FILL TUBE AND MEASURING WAND. *TR
Apr 2, 2009 · 93,500 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A TAPPING SOUND. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE, APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT, AND HEARD THREE THUMPS FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE MECHANIC. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C BELT WAS MISSING. WHEN THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE BELT, HE NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT WAS LOOSE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE TIGHTENED. HE ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE NOISE SHE HEARD WAS THE A/C BELT DETACHING AND STRIKING THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY'S FAILURE, THE A/C BELT DETACHED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER…
Jan 21, 2008 · 115,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISH MONTERO SPORT. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND OVERHEATED ON LONG TRIPS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,473. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *AK
Nov 1, 2000 · 40,473 miles
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly
THE VEHICLE FELT UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND ONE OF THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRINGS WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. *NM
Feb 4, 2006 · 100,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
VEHICLE LOST USE OF POWER STEERING DURING A 90 DEGREE TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF IT. I PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO PARKING LOT OF NEARBY CONVENIENCE STORE AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. I NOTICED THAT THE V-BELT TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND OTHER COMPONENTS WAS TURNING RATHER SLUGGISHLY AND COULD HEAR A SQUEAKING/CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER SWITCHING OFF THE A/C, I OBSERVED THAT THE V-BELT BEGAN TO TURN MORE FREELY BUT STILL SOMEWHAT SLOWER THAN NORMAL. I THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEEDS (35-40 MPH) TO MY HOME APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES AWAY. THE NEXT MORNING, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY MECHANIC'S SHOP APPROXIMATELY…
Aug 24, 2005 · 143,000 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.