Model year record

1994 Mitsubishi Montero recalls & problems

The 1994 Mitsubishi Montero has 5 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (14 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints31filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 1reported 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 15, 2000

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V226001344 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE HOSES CAN DEVELOP A CRACK, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN IMPAIRED BRAKING ABILITY AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER BRAKE HOSES.

Unknown or otherSep 2, 1998

Unknown or other

Recall 98V20500060,243 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT OF THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 12, 1996

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 96V14300210,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 25, 1996

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 96V14300193,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

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	14 / 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

Montero

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	14	0	0	159,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	7	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Turn signal › Switch	3	0	0	—
SuspensionFront	3	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door	2	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Linkages › Tie rod assembly	2	0	0	—
EquipmentMechanical › Carrier/rack	1	0	0	—
Seats	1	1	1	—
Seat belts	1	1	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END HER VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HIT HER HEAD BUT WAS UNABLE TO GIVE SPECIFIC DETAILS REGARDING THE HEAD INJURY. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A BROKEN ANKLE, HEAD TRAUMA AND WAS ALSO PLACED IN INTENSIVE CARE DUE TO THE HEAD TRAUMA. THE POLICE STATED THAT IF THE AIR BAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOY THE CONTACT COULD HAVE AVOIDED A SERIOUS INJURY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAG; HOWEVER, THEY…
Oct 8, 2010 · 230,000 miles
SeatsCrash1 injury
A 12 YEAR OLD BOY WAS KILLED WHEN HIS CARGO SEAT IN A MITSUBISHI MONTERO DETACHED AND CATAPULTED HIM OUT THE SIDE WINDOW IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, BUT WITH THIS PARTICULAR SEAT DESIGN THE BELTS ARE ALL ATTACHED TO THE SEAT, RATHER THAN THE FLOOR, GIVING THE OCCUPANT NO RESTRAINT WHEN THE SEAT COMES DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR. *TR
Feb 26, 2009
Engine and engine cooling
1994 MITSUBISHI MONTERO BOLT SECURING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAME LOOSE RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ACCIDENT AVERTED, THANK GOD. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS, MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND MITSUBISHI AMERICA ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO REPAIR MY TRUCK BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT A MATCH FOR THE RECALL ON THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. MY GUESS IS THAT WHEN SOMEONE DOES HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION THEY'LL PAY DEARLY IN LAWSUIT LOSSES WHEN THEY COULD SIMPLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND KEEP THEIR CONSUMERS SAFE! I WILL BEGIN A WRITING CAMPAIGN IN REGARD TO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR THAT MITSUBISHI DOESN'T CARE UNTIL SOMEONE DIES. NICE WAY TO RUN YOUR COMPANY. BY THE WAY, THERE ARE NO…
Aug 30, 2008 · 240,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
WHILE DRIVING MY 1994 MITSUBISHI 3.0L MONTERO AT 55MPH ON A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT HITTING ANY OTHER VEHICLES.WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MY DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE. THEIR RECOMMENDATION WAS TO INSTALL A REBUILT ENGINE (IF THEY COULD FIND ONE) FOR $6200. THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A SAFETY RECALL EXISTED FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Dec 22, 2004 · 159,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I SPENT $ 6000 LAST YEAR ON A NEW HALF BLOCK ENGINE. LAST MONTH MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERS, AND THEY FOUND THAT THE PLENUM NEEDED TO GET CHECKED. THEY DID THAT, BUT NOW THEY FOUND THAT THE BUTTERFLY VALVES ON THE PLENUM BROKE OFF ( WHICH WERE PLASTIC) AND WENT IN TO THE ENGINE. THIS DAMAGED BOTH HEADS AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $ 4700. MY PROBLEM IS, MITSUBISHI KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM (WHICH IS APPARENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE MADE A REPLACEMENT PART TO FIX IT), BUT BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT PLENUM IS SO EXPENSIVE THEY NEVER DID A RECALL TO FIX IT. *AK
Sep 9, 2004
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I WAS DRIVING MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO 3.5L DOHC WHILE TRYING TO JOIN FREEWAY ON RAMP WHILE ACCELERATING TO REACH 60 MILES AN HOUR TO KEEP IN PACE WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO DECLINE DESPITE ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. AT THE SAME TIME I LOST POWER STEERING AND I NEARLY DIED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND GET OFF THE ROAD AT ONCE. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR AT VERY LOW SPEED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC, AND IT DIED RIGHT IN HIS FRONT YARD. UPON EXAMINING IT HE TOLD ME THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT BROKE AND THATS WHY I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I ALSO CHECKED OUT IN THE INTERNET AT THIS SPECIFIC SITE:…
May 25, 2004 · 155,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I WAS DRIVING ALONG, WHEN MY AIRCONDITIONING AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT. BELIEVING IT WAS A BELT, I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND OUT THAT MY CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKEN CAUSING MY KEYWAY AND HARMONIC BALANCER TO FALL OFF. I CALLED THE LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER TO LOCATE THE PARTS, AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS DEFECTIVE AND A NHTSA RECALL WAS IN PLACE ON IT. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THE BOLT WOULD BE REPLACED AS WELL AS ANY SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE BREAKING OF THE BOLT. THE DEALER HAS NOW CALLED ME BACK, AND SAID THAT THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING THE BROKEN BOLT FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AND HAD ALREADY SPENT TO MUCH TIME AND MONEY, AND SO THEREFORE WOULD NOT CONTINUE…
Apr 18, 2004 · 211,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE ON THE 94 MONTERO SR AND I LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. THUS, THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER AND A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE RECALL SR-01-002 DOES NOT COVER THIS MODEL ENGINE EVEN THOUGH THE PART USED IS THE SAME THROUGHOUT THOSE YEARS.*AK
Dec 1, 2003 · 104,000 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.