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1997 Mitsubishi Montero SportProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 29 owner complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year33% below the Montero Sport median · #7 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints294 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage120kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 19, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has problems

29 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling140
Steering40
Engine20
Power train20
Electrical system21
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Suspension10
Tires10
Air bags11
6 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 00V-311 · Oct 2, 2000 · 210,000 vehicles

Risk. THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Montero Sport year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Montero Sport median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Montero Sport owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT AND BOLT PULLED OUT FROM THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS…
Complaint 10237991 · Aug 13, 2008 · 126,000 miles
I OWN A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT LS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT, NHTSA RECALL ID: 00V311001. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BOLT. THIS WAS BACK IN 2000. IN FEBRUARY OF 2008 I WAS DRIVING, GETTING READY TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A…
Complaint 10226494 · May 2, 2008 · 130,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL #00V311001 AFFECTING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. AFTER SIX MONTHS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE ENGINE, OIL, AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED…
Complaint 10215166 · Jan 16, 2008 · 149,000 miles

Own a 1997 Montero Sport?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.