Model year record

1991 Mitsubishi Montero recalls & problems

The 1991 Mitsubishi Montero has 2 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (7 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints18filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V103004658,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Trailer hitchesJul 22, 1993

Trailer hitches

Recall 93E023000670 vehicles

Problem: THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
Risk: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.

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

15mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Montero

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/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	Fires	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	7	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Steering wheel/handle bar	4	0	—
TiresTread/belt	3	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor	2	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	1	0	—
Electrical system	1	1	—
Unknown or other	1	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
I PURCHASED A MITSUBISHI MONTERO AS A MAIN CAR TO TRANSPORT BACK AND FORTH TO MY BUSINESS. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT CAME OUT AND I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE CRANKSHAFT NOW I AM STUCK TRYING TO FIND A MECHANIC TO DRILL THE REMAINDER OF THE BOLT OUT. I BELIEVE THAT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE COUNTLESS CONSUMERS THAT HAVE NOT LOGGED ONTO THIS SITE TO LAUNCH THIS COMPLAINT AND SINCE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MITSUBISHI DEALERS SHOULD RECALL THIS PRODUCT AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. *JB
Nov 21, 2005 · 209,507 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL AT ONLY 1500 MILES. CONSUMER DID FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ON THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO OVERHEAT. THE DEALERSHIP IS FALSIFYING INFORMATION TO AN OFFICER BECAUSE THEY TOLD HIM CONSUMER WAS BEHIND ON HIS PAYMENTS AND HE IS NOT. *TT *JB
Apr 15, 2005 · 1,500 miles
Steering
I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND MY A/T LIGHTS CAME ON ASWELL AS MY BATTERY LIGHT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND OPENED MY HOOD AND SAW MY HARMONIC BALANCER/PULLEY LAYING ON MY SKID PLATE AS WELL AS A BROKEN BOLT. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND OUT IT HAPPENS ALOT ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT ITS VERY COMMON. I USE THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL AND TO WORK NEVER ABUSE IT AND NOW I AM STUCK PAYING MORE THEN I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR. ALL THAT IS ABLE TO HAPPEN IS ME PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND SUFFER MISSING SCHOOL. THE VEHICLE IS A 1991 MONTERO.
Feb 25, 2005 · 133,345 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL.*JB
Mar 7, 2003
Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK
Feb 25, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
I HAD TWO TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME ON THE WAY HOME FROM NORTH HOLLYWOOD ON 9/19/01. MY CAR IS PRESENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP, SO I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE TIRES. ALSO MY THERMOSTAT WENT OUT ON ME AND MY RADIATOR HAD TO BE FLUSHED. MY ENGINE THROUGH A ROD OR IS ABOUT TO. I'V HAD PROBLEMS STARTIN UP MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE BATTERY KEEPS MOVING AND HAS NO BATTERY BOX OR POST TO KEEP IT STABLIZED. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 6 MONTHS, WE JUST BOUGHT IT. WE GOT IT CHECKED OUT BY WINSTON TIRES IN BARSTOW BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT AND ONLY MINOR PROBLEMS SHOW UP. UPON WINSTON TIRES ASSESSMENT, WE BOUGHT THE SUV. ALSO WE WE NOT ALLOWED TO GET A WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALER, BECAUSE HIS LOAN COMPANY WOULDN'T ALLOW…
Dec 27, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE DIED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BOLTS CAME OUT FROM CRANKSHAFT/ PULLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Mar 28, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BECAME LOOSE OVER TIME. PULLEY BOLT CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Mar 15, 2001

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

NHTSA defect investigations

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREClosedLed to recall 95V103004
There is no summary currently available
EA95004 · opened Mar 10, 1995 · closed Aug 1, 1995