RoadVitals

1990 Mitsubishi Montero

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Jun 17, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine730.4%
  • Seat belts626.1%
  • Brakes28.7%
  • Driver assistance28.7%
  • Powertrain (other)14.3%
  • Fuel system14.3%
  • Steering14.3%
  • Tires & wheels14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103004

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
658,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: 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.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95004ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 1, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103004
PE90034ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING COUPLING BOLT

Opened Jan 22, 1990
Closed Mar 15, 1990

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 23
Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2008
Fire reported

1990 MITUSBISHI MONTERO STARTED TO SMOKE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *NJOHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0206-89. *JB

NHTSA ID
10231772
Incident
May 24, 2008
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10103306
Incident
Nov 27, 2004
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2003

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER BELT-DRIVEN COMPONENTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10010945
Incident
Mar 18, 2003
Mileage
194,718 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 1, 2003

THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HARD TO SHIFT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND THIS MAY BE A RECALL NUMBER THAT MAY HELP (M9122008000). *****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******770805. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10006574
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2002

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE BOLT THAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. TS THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE VIBRATION DAMPER BOLT WHICH CAUSED THE PULLEY TO FALL OFF. *JG

NHTSA ID
8023736
Incident
Dec 3, 2002
Mileage
263,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2002
1 injury reported

THE BOLT ON THE FRONT OF THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE PULLEY AND BELT TO FLY OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
9005704
Incident
Jan 12, 2001
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2001

CONSUMER HAD FOUND A DESIGN FRAUD ON VEHICLE. HAD TAKEN IT TO A TECHNICIAN FOR CHECK UP. FOUND REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL PULL WHEN VEHICLE IS LIFTED. THEN WHEN IS PUT BACK ON GROUND COULD HAVE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO EXTENSION ON BRAKE HOSE.*AK

NHTSA ID
882127
Incident
Mar 2, 2001
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2001
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE. PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD A BROKEN THERMOSTAT REPLACED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
879169
Incident
Jan 23, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TT253

EQUIPMENT

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-19-00-008

EQUIPMENT

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

TT237

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-13-42A-002

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.

TSB9711002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NEW VALVE LASH ADJUSTER NOISE CHECKING AND TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES. *JD

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Montero by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006400—
2005100—
2004530—
2003392048.2
20021113156.5
20011664053.0
2000512051.3
1999402050.8
1998744157.3
1997632051.5
1996272042.5
1995862051.4
1994315048.1
1993143040.6
1992124048.1
1991182153.1
1990Viewing231253.9
1989102258.2
1988111—
1987311—
1986412—
1985000—
1984010—
1983000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.