RoadVitals

1991 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.
18
Latest Apr 10, 2006
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.
2
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.
1
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Mitsubishi Montero, most frequently naming the engine, steering and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 6 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

  • Engine733.3%
  • Steering419.0%
  • Tires & wheels314.3%
  • Brakes29.5%
  • Driver assistance29.5%
  • Transmission14.8%
  • Electrical14.8%
  • Seat belts14.8%

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

2 campaigns 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

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

TRAILER HITCHES

Jul 22, 1993
670 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
The risk: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
REESE PRODUCTS, INCView 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10154928
Incident
Nov 21, 2005
Mileage
209,507 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Aug 1, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10124112
Incident
Apr 15, 2005
Mileage
1,500 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 28, 2005

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.

NHTSA ID
10112323
Incident
Feb 25, 2005
Mileage
133,345 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2003

THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL.*JB

NHTSA ID
10011135
Incident
Mar 7, 2003
Steering
Filed Feb 25, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8004532
EngineTires & wheels
Filed Jan 26, 2002

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 IT. INSTEAD OF LETTING US KNOW BEFORE WE DROVE OFF WITH THE VEHICLES, MARINE CORP WEST WOULDN'T GIVE US A WARRANTY FOR THIS SUV. WE WERE ALREADY OBLIGATED TO GO THROUGH WITH BUYING THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE WARRANTY AFTER WE DROVE OFF THE LOT. BUT IT'S THEIR FAULT FOR NOT LETTING US KNOW AHEAD OF TIME. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
757386
Incident
Dec 27, 2001
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE DIED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BOLTS CAME OUT FROM CRANKSHAFT/ PULLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
884462
EngineSteering
Filed Mar 15, 2001

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BECAME LOOSE OVER TIME. PULLEY BOLT CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
883117

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.

96V143

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

MMSA HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE FRONT LOWER BRAKE HOSES MAY DEVELOP A CRACK, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. *TT

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
1991Viewing182153.1
1990231253.9
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.