Known Recalls

Model year record

1989 Mitsubishi Montero

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 10 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V103004

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
658,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-24
Owners notified
1995-11-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V030000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI MANUFACTURING AMER
Vehicles affected
7,500
Reported to NHTSA
1989-03-03
Owners notified
1989-03-30

Defect description

THE ENGINES ARE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE VALVE ICING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Safety risk

THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO STICK AND NOT ALLOWTHE ENGINE RPM TO RETURN TO IDLE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A HEATED ADAPTER PLATE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Air bags1194,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Steering1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Suspension: front1—
Tires1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control1—

The 1988 model has 10 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.