Model year record

1996 Mitsubishi Montero

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 40 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V311001

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
210,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-02
Owners notified
2000-10-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V205000

Unknown or other

Component
Unknown or other
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
60,243
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-02
Owners notified
1998-10-16

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Unknown or other6
Engine and engine cooling: engine4146,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2
Child seat1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: water heater1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Seats1125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Steering1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 1995 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about half 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.