1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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.
What could happen: THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 MONTERO SPORT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V311001.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PERFORMED IN FIVE SEPARATE OWNER MAILINGS, WITH THE FIRST MAILING BEGINNING OCTOBER 31, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (14), Airbags (4), Electrical system (4), Steering (4), Brakes (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/31/2021 · Airbags
On Tuesday August 31st I pulled up to Alexandra tire shop to get a tire. I got out of the truck to inquire if the tire that I needed was available. The mechanic informed me that they had the tire I needed. My wife sat in the car on the passenger side as I inquired with the mechanic. Once he informed me that they had the tire, my wife got out of the passenge…
06/08/2012 · Electronic Stability Control (esc) · fire
I TURNED MY AC ON AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND MY CAR BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT AS WELL AS MY AT LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN MY RADIO, AC,DOME LIGHT AND MOON ROOF WONT CLOSE I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED 400$ JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE FIXING IT I TOOK IT TO PEPBOYS AND THEY TOLD ME I COULD OF HAD FIRE WITH A BAD…
08/08/2011 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. SUDDENLY, WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL UNSEIZED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT A FAULTY CRANK…
06/28/2011 · Electrical system
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, I-78, AND OTHER HIGHWAYS, THE MITSUBISHI ALTERNATOR INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER ELECTRICALLY CONTROL FUNCTIONS. WHAT MAKES THIS NOTABLY IS THAT IT WAS THE 5TH ALTERNATOR THAT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1-1/2 YEARS. EACH TIME WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS BETWEEN 55 AND 6…
06/28/2011 · Airbags · crash
WHILE TRAVELING ON ROUTE 632, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY, ENTERED AND STOPPED IN THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 632 & ROUTE 645 IN NEW JERSEY; CAUSING MY SUV TO BROAD SIDED THEIR PICK-UP TRUCK. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE MITSUBISHI DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.
04/27/2011 · Engine
I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-17 NEAR PHOENIX, AZ MERGING ONTO I-10 WEST - WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I COULDN'T STEER THE VEHICLE. ALL WHILE GOING 65 MPH. IT TOOK EVERY BIT OF MY STRENGTH TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED TO MARK MITSUBISHI IN AVONDALE, AZ FOR REPAIRS. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THE "REPAIRS" WERE DONE. THE DA…
04/30/2010 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TROUBLE TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND NOTICED VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVING BELTS WERE DISLODGED AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS HANGING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF T…
10/27/2009 · Wheels / tires · crash
I PURCHASED A USED TIRE AT BJ TIRE SHOP IN BRYAN, TX ON JULY 16, 2009. THE TIRE PURCHASED (BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A 265 70R) TURNED OUT TO BE DEFECTIVE WITH THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER CAUSING $9000 IN DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE GOT HURT OR KILLED. I AM AFRAID THAT T…