1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT

1 recalls — 37 complaints — 95 TSBs

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Defect Description

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... Read more

210,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Complaint Statistics

37 total complaints 2 crashes 1 fires 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS	3
STEERING	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
ENGINE	2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT	2
POWER TRAIN	2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM	2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	1

Incident date: Jul 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, TRANSMISSION MOUNT, UNIVERSAL BOLT, AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACE... Read more

Incident date: Jul 2, 2015

Incident date: Apr 12, 2015

VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND STALLED. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT FELL OUT AND HARMONIC BALANCER FELL OFF.CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR

Incident date: Mar 12, 2015

COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE, CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT DEFECTIVE SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. *TR

Incident date: Oct 28, 2014

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT CAME LOOSE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. HAD TO STEER VERY HARD MANUALLY TO PARK CAR. DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Incident date: Oct 28, 2014

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT CAME LOOSE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. HAD TO STEER VERY HARD MANUALLY TO PARK CAR. DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Incident date: Sep 8, 2009

STEERING TERMINAL CAME OFF MAKING THE VEHICLE GO IN DANGER. *TR

Incident date: Oct 21, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE SO IT COULD WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE. WHILE IN THE HOUSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD BOOM SIMILAR TO AN EXPLOSION. SHE FOUND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPAR... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Aug 8, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT AND BOLT PULLED OUT FROM THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLE... Read more

Incident date: Feb 10, 2008

I OWN A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT LS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT, NHTSA RECALL ID: 00V311001. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BOLT. THIS WAS BACK IN 2000. IN FEBRUARY OF 2008 I WAS DRIVING, GETTING READY TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A G... Read more

Incident date: Nov 17, 2006

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL #00V311001 AFFECTING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. AFTER SIX MONTHS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE ENGINE, OIL, AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED O... Read more

Incident date: Nov 17, 2006

Incident date: May 2, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT IN THE VEHICLE'S CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BACKED OUT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE PULLEY TO BECOME LOOSE AND SHEER THE PIN ON THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND ENGINE FAILED. ... Read more

Incident date: Oct 24, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE ON 10-24-05. SHE HAD RECALL 00V311000 REPAIR WORK DONE IN OCTOBER -2002. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE SHE WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRANK SHAFT. SHE FELT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME. SHE... Read more

Incident date: Sep 29, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. IN 6-03 HE BROUGHT THE CAR I TO DEALER BECAUSE THE TIMING BELT CAME OFF. THE REPAIR WORK COST $463.06. ON 7-26-03 THE CONTACT BROUGHT IT BACK BECAUSE THE TIMING BELT CAME OFF AGAIN. HE FOUND THERE WAS RECALL 00V311001 AND THE DEALER FIXED IT... Read more

Incident date: Feb 18, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V311001 CONCERNING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CONTROL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD. THEN, TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT TH... Read more

Incident date: Aug 7, 2004

VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT SHEARING OFF. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Incident date: Aug 7, 2004

VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT SHEARING OFF. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 2004

SHOULDER BELT GUIDE ALLOWS FOR BELT TO BE TRAPPED. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN A CRASH.*AK

Incident date: Jul 28, 2004

1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT RECALL SERVICE. 18 MONTHS LATER, THE BOLT BACKED OUT, CAUSING APPROX. $1000 IN DAMAGES, REPAIRED AT PRIVATE MECHANIC'S GARAGE. HAPPENED AGAIN 1 MONTH LATER; SAME GARAGE REPAIRED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. HAPPENED AGAIN 1... Read more

THE REAR CALIPERS BECAME VERY HOT, LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *NLM

Incident date: Oct 1, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 5 ALTERNATERS IN THE LAST 13 MONTHS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Incident date: Oct 22, 2002

WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE AT ZERO SPEED, I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY A CONVERSION VAN GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. PRIMARY IMPACT CAUSED THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND I AS THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED SEVERE LOWER AND UPPER SPINE INJURIES. DT

Crash

Incident date: Aug 5, 2002

NO SUMMARY. DT

Incident date: Sep 3, 2002

CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY RECALL WAS DONE IN JANUARY 2002. RECENTLY VEHICLE LOST POWERS TEERING AT 45 MPH. DEALER STATED CRANKSHAFT/ PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Sep 3, 2002

CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY RECALL WAS DONE IN JANUARY 2002. RECENTLY VEHICLE LOST POWERS TEERING AT 45 MPH. DEALER STATED CRANKSHAFT/ PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Nov 1, 2001

FUEL FITTING AND PUMP ASSY. RUBBED AGAINST BODY TO CAUSE A RUPTURE RESULTING IN A SERIOUS FUEL LEAK. *AK

Incident date: Aug 8, 2001

WHEN OPENING THE HATCH DOOR, THE SHOCK ARM BROKE CAUSING THE DOOR TO SLAM DOWN, BEND THE FRAME OF THE BACK DOOR AND BREAK THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.THIS LOOKS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IF I HAD BEEN UNDER THE DOOR, IT WOULD HAVE KNOCKED ME OUT.*AK

Incident date: Aug 8, 2001

EVERYTIME CONSUMER STARTS UP VEHICLE THERE IS A LOUD NOISE DUE TO BACK PRESSURE IN ENGINE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIME, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD AC REPAIRED ON THREE OCCASSIONS.*JB

Incident date: Jun 9, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH VEHICLE STARTING "THUMPING AND SQUEALING". CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THAT CRANKSHAFT/ PULLEY BOLT BROKE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. THERE IS A RECALL 00V311000 DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. HOWEVE... Read more

Incident date: Apr 27, 2001

I AM INQUIRING ON WHETHER OR NOT OTHER OTHER MONTERO SPORT ES OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BOLT SNAPPING AND WHETHER MITSUBISHI IS DOING ANOTHER ONE OF ITS COVER UPS. MITSUBISHI HAS AGREED TO PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AND I HAVE TO COVER LABOR. I WANT TO SEE IF I HAVE A CASE... Read more

WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH A VERY LOUD WIND NOISE HAS BEEN COMING INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT THROUGH WINDOWS. NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT IT IS DROWNING OUT RADIO. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Incident date: Jun 27, 2000

AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON FRONT IMPACT OF APPROX. 30 MPH SUSTAINING $10K IN DAMAGE. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 1, 1997

SPRING ON DRINK HOLDER JUST FLIES OFF, AND THE LITTLE HANDLE COMES OFF.*AK

Technical Service Bulletins — 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT

95 manufacturer communications from 68 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	7
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	6
350000 EQUIPMENT	6
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	5
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER	5
100000 POWER TRAIN	5
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY	4
020000 SUSPENSION	3

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

350000 EQUIPMENT