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1998 Mitsubishi Montero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 74 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

74 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED, VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE OR SKID. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED BRAKES ARE STICKING. WOULD HAVE ODORS/FUMES COMING INSIDE VEHICLE. ALSO, SOME SQUEAKING COMING FROM FRONT END. *AK

NHTSA ODI #845230

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE BRAKE PADS CAUSING GRINDING NOISE. MJS

NHTSA ODI #547902

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Tires

SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND STATED THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT IS HAPPENING. TIRES ON THE DRIVER, FRONT AND REAR WERE PUT ON BACKWARDS. HAVE CONTACTED THE COMP…

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SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND STATED THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT IS HAPPENING. TIRES ON THE DRIVER, FRONT AND REAR WERE PUT ON BACKWARDS. HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE HAD THREE REPRESENTATIVES LOOK AT THE CAR WITH NO SATISFACTION YET. WE HAVE SENT REGISTERED LETTERS, BUT HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND THE ROADS ARE VERY CURVY AND THIS PROBLEM COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A REAL PROBLEM. WE WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE SINCE THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM ON ANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: FBEFMSM438 TIRE SIZE: 265/70R15 )

NHTSA ODI #707796

Mileage unknown · May 4, 1999
VisibilityCrash

WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HAS A BAD BLIND SPOT. IT PORTRUDES JUST OUTSIDE THE SIDE MIRROR. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT & DID NOT NOTICE ANY VEHICLES ALONG SIDE OF VEHICLE. PULLED OFF WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837440

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1999
Structure

WHEN MONTERO RUNS INTO A FLLOD ARE WITH SPEED OF 30 MPH OR OVER, WATER MAY SPREAD OVER WINDSHIELD/ROOF, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVER TO SEE ANYTHING FOR A FEW SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI #534026

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 1999
Suspension

CONSTANT VIBRATION AT 50 AND OVER, HEAVY SHAKING, STEERING WHEEL MUST NE HELD BY 2 HANDS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705297

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 1999
SuspensionCrash

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT SIX WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY MONTERO. STUART LINCOLN-MERCURY, WHO IS AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, REPAIRED MY MONTERO. MY FRONT END WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ALIGNED. AT 6400 MILES, I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED, AND I SAW THAT THE TIRES ON THE PASSANGER SIDE WERE WEARING AS IF THEY WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I TOOK MY MONTERO…

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT SIX WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY MONTERO. STUART LINCOLN-MERCURY, WHO IS AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, REPAIRED MY MONTERO. MY FRONT END WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ALIGNED. AT 6400 MILES, I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED, AND I SAW THAT THE TIRES ON THE PASSANGER SIDE WERE WEARING AS IF THEY WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I TOOK MY MONTERO BACK TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THEY ALIGNED MY FRONT END WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED FOR THE ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT MITISUBISHI USES CHEAP TIRES, AND THAT IS NORMAL WEAR. I ASO HAD TIRE KINGDOM, (A CERTIFIED YOKOHAMA REPRESENTITIVE) EVALUATE MY TIRES. THEY SAID THE FRONT END MUST BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. AGAIN, I WENT BACK TO MITSUBISHI, AND AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY ALIGNMENT. I'M AFRAID, IF THIS IS TRUE, I WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACING MY TIRES EVERY 6400 TO 10,000 MILES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN ON THESE MONTEROS. I BELIEVE, IF MY TIRES ARE GOING TO WEAR LIKE THIS, THERE HAS TO BE A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP ME! *AK( DOT NUMBER: FBEFM43287 TIRE SIZE: 265/70R15 )

NHTSA ODI #705236

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 1999
Exterior Lighting

FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE OF VEHICLE WHICH WAS DURING THE DAYTIME HOURS, PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED THAT SAME NIGHT . SPECIFICALLY, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE POOR ILLUMINATION ON LOW BEAM, THEREFORE PRESENTS SHADOWS ON SHOULDER, LINES IN LENSE OF HEADLIGHTS LEAVES IMPRESSIONS ON PAVEMENT ON BOTH SIDES, DRIVER SIDE LINES CUT OFF LIG…

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FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE OF VEHICLE WHICH WAS DURING THE DAYTIME HOURS, PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED THAT SAME NIGHT . SPECIFICALLY, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE POOR ILLUMINATION ON LOW BEAM, THEREFORE PRESENTS SHADOWS ON SHOULDER, LINES IN LENSE OF HEADLIGHTS LEAVES IMPRESSIONS ON PAVEMENT ON BOTH SIDES, DRIVER SIDE LINES CUT OFF LIGHT BEAM WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS TO ONLY 10 TO 20 FEET AT A SHARP ANGLE WITH NO ILLUMINATION AHEAD OF YOU, CAUSING LOSS OF VISION. RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND RURAL AREAS IN VIRGINIA, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH SAFETY WHEN IN A SITUATION THAT YOU CANNOT HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON BRIGHT BECAUSE OF ONCOMING VEHICLES. ON MANY CURVES AND DIPS, THERE IS ALMOST TOTAL BLACKNESS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF DRIVERS SIDE. VEHICLE SITUATION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AT THIS POINT, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. WE FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD FOR OUR FAMILY AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. WE SUGGESTED INSTALLING DRIVING LIGHTS ON THE 98 TO HELP WITH THE ILLUMINATION ON LOW BEAMS, BECAUSE 99'S HAVE DRIVING LIGHTS ON THEM, DEALER SAID MITSUBISHI REP SAID NO, IF WE WANTED DRIVING LIGHTS, WE NEEDED TO BUY A NEW 99. WE FEEL THAT COMPANY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM ON VEHICLE WE PURCHASED SINCE IT IS UNSAFE. DRIVING LIGHTS MAY NOT CORRECT PROBLEM BUT IS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION WE HAVE COME UP WITH. THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705164

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Suspension

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 55 TO 70 MPH. *YC

NHTSA ODI #544520

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1999
Power TrainTires

TIRE AND DRIVETRAIN VIBRATION ON MY MONTERO SPORT / NATIVA IN PUERTO RICO.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #704010

Official recalls

4

20V035000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 23, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

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.

98V220000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 9, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

98V205000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 2, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT OF THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE98042 · Rear Folding Seat Disengagement

Opened Jul 31, 1998 · Closed Sep 3, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:mid/rear Assembly

A POLICE REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGED THAT DISENGAGEMENT OF THE RIGHT REAR FOLDING SEAT DURING A SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER INCIDENT PERMITTED ITS OCCUPANT TO BE EJECTED