RoadVitals

1995 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.
86
Latest Mar 25, 2019
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 Oct 2, 2000
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.
0
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.
7
21 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 86 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Mitsubishi Montero, most frequently naming the engine, steering and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 44 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

  • Engine3636.0%
  • Steering1212.0%
  • Suspension88.0%
  • Brakes77.0%
  • Interior & seats55.0%
  • Electrical55.0%
  • Fuel system44.0%
  • Powertrain (other)33.0%

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

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
00V311001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Oct 2, 2000
210,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: 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.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov
98V205000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sep 2, 1998
60,243 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 86
Body & structure
Filed Mar 25, 2019

RIGHT REAR AXLE HOUSING WELD ID CRACKED WHERE IT WAS WELDED FROM THE FACTORY. IT IS LEAKING GEAR FLUID FROM THE CRACK. IT GOES ABOUT 3/4 THE WAY AOUND THE AXLE. I WAS DRIVING AND I FELT A STRANGE FEELING IN THE REAR OF THE MONTERO CHECK3D IT AND FOULD WHWERE IT IS SEPERATEDAT THE WELD, LIKE IT WAS NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY IN THE WELDING JIG.

NHTSA ID
11191255
Incident
Mar 24, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER FOR THE RECALL WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

NHTSA ID
10631653
Incident
Aug 23, 2014
Mileage
192,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AS THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT A SERIES OF WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND LATER TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA ID
10535203
Incident
Aug 2, 2013
Mileage
154,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2009

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10282353
Incident
Aug 28, 2009
Mileage
219,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT ALMOST STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, HE FOUND THAT A PULLEY FAILED IN THE CRANKSHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TIMING BELT REPLACED AT SOME POINT, WHICH WOULD HAVE ALSO TAKEN CARE OF THE RECALL. MITSUBISHI REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS WELL WITHIN THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V311001. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 215,000. UPDATED 7/9/09 *CN THE BOLT HOLDING THE HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY ON, FELL OUT WHICH ALLOWED THE PULLEY TO ALSO FALL OFF. UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10273557
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
215,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PULLEY WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V311001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 152,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10235321
Incident
Jul 15, 2008
Mileage
152,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 22, 2008
1 injury reported

I HAVE A 1995 MONTERO SR AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I SMELLED OIL AND WHEN I STOPPED TO CHECK IT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAVED IN AND OIL WAS ALL OVER THE GROUND WHAT'S LEFT OF IT ANY WAY , THE WELD ON HOUSING THE AXLE ASSEMBLY WAS BROKE ANY HOW I TOW IT HOME AND CHECK IT TO FIND OUT THAT THE TEETHING ON THE AXLE INSIDE IS GONE THE FACT THERE IS NO OIL AND THE SEAL AND THE BEARING INSIDE THE HOUSING IS GONE , SO I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT TO CHANGE THE AXLE ASSEMBLY FOR ABOUT LITTLE OVER 5000 DOLLARS ,WOW THEN I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH TO FIND OUT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS UNCOMMENT TO HAPPEN ON A UTILITY TRUCK IN A NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION THIS TRUCK WAS NEVER DRIVING OFF ROAD , ANY WAY I CALLED MITS COMPANY AND THEY GAVE ME NO ANSWER AND TOLD ME TO GO TO THE DEALER HHH , I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT , BY THE WAY MY TRUCK HAS BEN PARKED FOR A YEAR AND HALF I STILL HAVE IT HOPING TO FIND A CHEAP AXLE TO REPLACE BUT I THINK MITS COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE IT . I MEAN WHAT ARE THE ODDS SO MANY TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SAME AXLE SIDE PLUS SOME OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT OTHERS HAD FILED COMPLAINS AGAINST MITS MOTORS I HAVE THEM TOO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10228691
Incident
Sep 7, 2006
Mileage
109,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2007

CRANKSHAFT PULLY FAILED AND IS NOW BEING REPAIRED FOR 3RD TIME IN ONE YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10188931
Incident
Apr 23, 2005

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB-22-54-003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

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.

TT218

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; POWER TRAIN; VISIBILITY; WHEELS

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

TSB-15-54-004

EQUIPMENT

This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.

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
1995Viewing862051.4
1994315048.1
1993143040.6
1992124048.1
1991182153.1
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.