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.
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.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
5
—
Air bags
4
100,000 mi
Electrical system
4
—
Tires
4
—
Power train: automatic transmission
3
—
Structure: body
3
109,000 mi
Suspension: front
3
—
Vehicle speed control
3
—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
2
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine
2
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
2
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
2
—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
2
—
Structure
2
—
Unknown or other
2
—
Visibility
2
—
Air bags: frontal
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
1
—
Power train: manual transmission
1
—
Seat belts
1
—
Seat belts: front: retractor
1
—
Seats
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2001 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.