1990 Mitsubishi Montero recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
What could happen: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECU…
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 1990 MONTERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V103004.
- 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: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Mitsubishi Montero owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (7), Seat belts (6), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/17/2008 · Engine · fire
1990 MITUSBISHI MONTERO STARTED TO SMOKE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *NJOHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0206-89. *JB
12/07/2004 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
03/24/2003 · Engine
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER BELT-DRIVEN COMPONENTS. *JB
01/01/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HARD TO SHIFT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND THIS MAY BE A RECALL NUMBER THAT MAY HELP (M9122008000). *****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******770805. *AK *JB
12/04/2002 · Engine
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE BOLT THAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. TS THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE VIBRATION DAMPER BOLT WHICH CAUSED THE PULLEY TO FALL OFF. *JG
02/15/2002 · Engine
THE BOLT ON THE FRONT OF THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE PULLEY AND BELT TO FLY OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
03/05/2001 · Brakes
CONSUMER HAD FOUND A DESIGN FRAUD ON VEHICLE. HAD TAKEN IT TO A TECHNICIAN FOR CHECK UP. FOUND REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL PULL WHEN VEHICLE IS LIFTED. THEN WHEN IS PUT BACK ON GROUND COULD HAVE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO EXTENSION ON BRAKE HOSE.*AK
01/29/2001 · Engine · fire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE. PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD A BROKEN THERMOSTAT REPLACED. *AK *SLC