Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Mitsubishi Montero

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 91 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V035000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
18,123
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-23
Owners notified
2021-02-25

Defect description

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-001.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V428000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN
Vehicles affected
100,432
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-01

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V220000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
61,800
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-09
Owners notified
1998-10-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINES CAN DEVELOP PIN HOLES DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE IN THE INNER FENDER.

Safety risk

BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAK RESULTING IN DETERIORATED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE INDICATOR LAMP.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ROUTING. IF THE LINES ARE NOT CORRECTLY CENTERED IN THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE, THE LINES WILL BE REPOSITIONED BY BENDING SLIGHTLY TO CORRECT. IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF BRAKE LINE WEAR, THE BRAKE LINE 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
Suspension: front8—
Suspension668,000 mi
Unknown or other5—
Air bags4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Air bags: frontal285,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2—
Structure2—
Structure: body: bumpers2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Tires2—
Vehicle speed control2115,000 mi
Wheels2—
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1106,000 mi
Engine1155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling194,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch149,761 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel/propulsion system1—
Power train1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system194,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal14,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control149,761 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 times 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.