1994 Mitsubishi Montero Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Mitsubishi Montero, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1339.4%
- Brakes618.2%
- Suspension39.1%
- Exterior lighting39.1%
- Steering26.1%
- Body & structure26.1%
- Interior & seats13.0%
- Airbags13.0%
- Other / unspecified13.0%
- Seat belts13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 FIRES/DEATHS/DAMAGE OR POLICE REPORTS BECAUSE THUS FAR, EVERYONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN LUCKY! *TR
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
A DEFECTIVE RIGHT BRAKE HOSE LOSE ALL BRAKE FLUID AND THE MONTERO RUN OUT OF BRAKE . THE MITSUBISHI ENGINEERS IN PR. SAID THAT THE RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE HOSE WAS MADE FOR THE LOWER HOSE NOT FOR THIS ONE. I THINK THAT 72331 MILES ARE NO THE REASON TO JUSTIFIED THE FAILURE OF THIS HOSE. I HAVE THE HOSE IF YOU WANT TO CHECK THIS HOSE.*AK
THEIR IS A LOW SPOT IN BRAKES BEFORE THEY CATCH WHEN PEDAL IS APPLIED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR BRAKE HOSE (00V-226) WHICH CAN DEVELOP A LEAK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR HIGHER STEERING WILL PULL TO THE LEFT INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM FOUR TIMES AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENTS, BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
PROBLEM WITH UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND EVIDENCE OF MISALIGNMENT BECAUSE VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNAL WHEN SWITCHED FOR LEFT TURN AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED TO RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED INSTEAD OF CANCELLING ORIGINAL DIRECTION. HAPPENS VICE VERSA IN EITHER DIRECTION. ENGINE IS MAKING VERY LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE DUE TO "POSSIBLE LOOSE WRIST PIN" ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI DEALER WHO GAVE INITIAL REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $6,000. HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A USED OR REBUILT ENGINE FOR 1 WEEK NOW AND NONE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL US. ACCORDING TO ONE USED ENGINE DEALER, THAT 3.5 LTR.ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE THAT A TRADED IN ENGINE FOR A REBUILT ONE DOES NOT LAST LONG AND GETS SOLD FAST ONCE IT HAS BEEN REMANUFACTURED. FURTHER, THE ENGINE IS REALLY DEFECTIVE BECAUSE MITSUBISHI DISCONTINUED IT AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS DUE TO HEADACHES. MITSUBISHI IS ONE LOUSY JAPANESE COMPANY WHO DOES NOT WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINE. SOMEONE SHOULD POINT OUT TO MITSUBISHI THAT THEY ARE HERE IN THE US AND NOT IN JAPAN WHRE THEY HIDE DEFECTS AND GET AWAY WITH IT.*AK
WHEN DRIVER SIGNALS TO MAKE LEFT TURN THERE IS A BUZZING FROM THE DASH BOARD SIGNAL STOPS WORKING. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING BOLT THAT HOLDS STEERING ROD TO TIRE FELL OUT. THIS CAUSED LEFT FRONT TIRE TO WOBBLE. IF ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. A MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL OFF. THERE IS A RECALL (CAMPAIGN ID # 00V311001) BUT MITSUBISHI STATES THAT MY MONTERO IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL STATES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
HE WILL FILL OUT THE INFORMATION CONCERNING TRUCK: FRAME:MEMBERS: OTHER PARTS FAILURE. *AK THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE MIDDLE SEAT GOT VERY HOT CAUSING CAN OF FIX A FLAT TO EXPLODED. THE PLASTIC COVER FOR SAFETY FLARES ALSO MELTED BY THE HEAT. *YH
REAR DOOR HINGE WEAKENS DUE TO WEIGHT OF SPARE TIRE AND CAUSES A GAP TO OPEN AT TOP OF DOOR. MAY ALLOW EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER PASSANGER COMPARTMENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 03/08/11 *BF UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN ADDED PICTURE UPDATED 12/18/13 *BF UPDATED 12/18/13
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH MAKES BUZZING SOUND/FAILED REQUIRING EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL FORCE TO OPERATE. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .