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Mitsubishi MonteroYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 783 NHTSA owner complaints across 22 model years, the Mitsubishi Montero years to avoid are 2001, and the strongest years are 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2003. The Montero has 16 safety recalls on record.

Mitsubishi Montero
Years to avoid'01Use caution: 2002Best years'94 '96 '99 '03Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints783Top: Service brakes, hydraulicSafety recalls161984–2006 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Best & worst years

Mitsubishi Montero years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Montero median. Tap a year for its full report.

'84'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2006Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2005Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/1005 complaints · 3 recalls2003Solid62/10039 complaints · 2 recalls2002Caution38/100111 complaints · 3 recalls2001Avoid28/100166 complaints · 4 recalls2000Solid52/10051 complaints · 2 recalls1999Solid59/10040 complaints · 2 recalls1998Solid46/10074 complaints · 4 recalls1997Solid48/10063 complaints · 2 recalls1996Best75/10027 complaints · 2 recalls1995Solid42/10086 complaints · 2 recalls1994Best69/10031 complaints · 5 recalls1993Not rated–/10014 complaints · 3 recalls1992Not rated–/10012 complaints · 3 recalls1991Not rated–/10018 complaints · 1 recall1990Not rated–/10023 complaints · 1 recall1989Not rated–/10010 complaints · 2 recalls1988Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1987Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Mitsubishi Montero problems

All model years combined: 783 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
Service brakes, hydraulic1718
Engine and engine cooling1556
Suspension6710
Electrical system605
Power train581
Steering5511
Air bags5030
Service brakes474
Structure366
19 other systems20624
16 recalls

Mitsubishi Montero recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

4%Driver side: inflator module20V-035 · 1998–2000 · Jan 23, 2020 · 18,123 vehicles–Other: labels04V-428 · 1998–2004 · Sep 1, 2004 · 100,432 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline: storage04V-319 · 2002–2004 · Jul 6, 2004 · 44,214 vehicles–Other: labels04V-095 · 2004 · Feb 20, 2004 · 491 vehicles–Other: owners/service/other manual04V-067 · 2001 · Feb 11, 2004 · 134,000 vehicles–Power assist: vacuum01V-254 · 2001–2002 · Aug 3, 2001 · 39,020 vehicles–Engine and engine cooling: engine00V-311 · 1992–1996 · Oct 2, 2000 · 210,000 vehicles–Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings00V-226 · 1994 · Aug 15, 2000 · 344 vehicles–Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior00V-123 · 2001 · May 1, 2000 · 4,275 vehicles–Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings98V-220 · 1997–1998 · Sep 9, 1998 · 61,800 vehicles–Unknown or other98V-205 · 1994–1998 · Sep 2, 1998 · 60,243 vehicles–Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings96V-143 · 1992–1994 · Aug 12, 1996 · 10,000 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 16 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Montero

  1. BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURERQ06007 · 2002 · closed Oct 12, 2006
    No recall
  2. REAR FOLDING SEAT DISENGAGEMENTPE98042 · 1998 · closed Sep 3, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-205
  3. TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95004 · 1986–1991 · closed Aug 1, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
  4. STEERING COUPLING BOLTPE90034 · 1990 · closed Mar 15, 1990
    No recall
  5. FUEL HOSEPE89131 · 1989 · closed Sep 6, 1989
    No recall
  6. SEAT FAILUREPE88083 · 1986 · closed Oct 21, 1988
    No recall