Mitsubishi Montero recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mitsubishi Montero, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Mitsubishi Montero. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mitsubishi Montero, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1984–2006 with 45 recall campaigns and 989 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 1994 (5), 2001 (4), and 1998 (4).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 2001 (213), 2002 (132), and 1995 (106).
- Top recall themes: Brakes, Equipment and labeling, and Engine and cooling.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
5 campaigns · Years: 1992–1994, 1997–1998, 2001–2002These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Equipment and labeling
3 campaigns · Years: 1998–2004These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.
Engine and cooling
2 campaigns · Years: 1984, 1992–1996These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
Other
2 campaigns · Years: 1989, 1994–1998These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Airbags
1 campaign · Years: 1998–2000These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
- 20V035000 · Air bags: Inflator module
Fuel and emissions
1 campaign · Years: 2002–2004These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
- 04V319000 · Fuel system, gasoline: Storage
Seats and restraints
1 campaign · Years: 1986–1991These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
- 95V103004 · Seat belts: Buckle assembly
Visibility and lighting
1 campaign · Years: 2001These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).
- 00V123002 · Visibility: Exterior
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Mitsubishi Montero in NHTSA complaint data are Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 6 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Electrical system:ignition, Electronic stability control (esc). |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. |
| 2004 | 3 | 7 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc. |
| 2003 | 2 | 53 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes, Electrical system. |
| 2002 | 3 | 132 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. |
| 2001 | 4 | 213 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum, Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes. |
| 2000 | 2 | 68 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Electrical system, Tires. |
| 1999 | 2 | 47 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension:front, Air bags. |
| 1998 | 4 | 91 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1997 | 2 | 85 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 1996 | 2 | 40 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components. |
| 1995 | 2 | 106 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys, Suspension:front. |
| 1994 | 5 | 35 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1993 | 3 | 17 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Steering: steering wheel/handle bar, Electrical system:wiring. |
| 1992 | 3 | 18 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. |
| 1991 | 1 | 22 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control, Steering:hydraulic power assist system. |
| 1990 | 1 | 25 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. |
| 1989 | 2 | 10 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Steering, Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. |
| 1988 | 1 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine. |
| 1987 | 1 | 4 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Seat belts:front. |
| 1986 | 1 | 8 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Power train:clutch assembly, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly. |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Service brakes , Equipment and Engine and engine cooling
Other Mitsubishi Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Mitsubishi models.
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- Endeavor 2004–2011
- Expo 1992–1996
- Galant 1985–2012
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- Lancer 2002–2017
- Lancer Evolution 2003–2015
- Lancer SportBack 2004–2017
- Mighty Max 1985–1996
- Mirage 1985–2027
- Mirage G4 2017–2027
- Montero Sport 1991–2004
- Outlander 2003–2027
- Outlander Sport 2011–2027
- Precis 1988–1994
- Raider 1993–2010
- Sigma 1989–1990
- SP 1985–1986
- Starion 1983–1990
- Tredia 1983–1988
- Van 1987–1990
- Wagon 1989–1990
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.