1996 MITSUBISHI MONTERO

2 recalls, 40 complaints - 79 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

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Defect Description

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

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.

60,243 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Complaint Statistics

40 total complaints 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR	2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM	2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS	2
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1

Incident date: Aug 21, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS OF THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAVE FALLEN. SHE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO C... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING STEERING FAILED. THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT HELD IT DISENGAGED. RECALL 00V311001 WAS ISSUED. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING STEERING FAILED. THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT HELD IT DISENGAGED. RECALL 00V311001 WAS ISSUED. *AK

Incident date: Mar 29, 2001

NAR 03/05/2003 THE CONSUMER REAR DOOR HINGES HAD TO BE REPLACED , THE TIE ROD BROKE ON THE TRUCK, AND THE WATER PUMP FROZE SEIZING POWER TO THE TIMING BELT.

Incident date: Mar 29, 2001

NAR 03/05/2003 THE CONSUMER REAR DOOR HINGES HAD TO BE REPLACED , THE TIE ROD BROKE ON THE TRUCK, AND THE WATER PUMP FROZE SEIZING POWER TO THE TIMING BELT.

Incident date: Mar 29, 2001

NAR 03/05/2003 THE CONSUMER REAR DOOR HINGES HAD TO BE REPLACED , THE TIE ROD BROKE ON THE TRUCK, AND THE WATER PUMP FROZE SEIZING POWER TO THE TIMING BELT.

Incident date: Feb 7, 2004

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH METAL THAT KEPT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK UP RIGHT BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK DECLINED BACKWARDS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS REDUCED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. DRIVER HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLAC... Read more

Incident date: Jan 2, 2004

THE BUTTERFLY VALVE IN THE INTAKE PLENUM IN THE 3.5L DOHC COMES LOOSE AND DROPS INTO THE MOTOR WHICH CAN CAUSE IT TO STOP SUDDENLY, THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH IS APPARENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE MADE A REPLACEMENT PART TO FIX IT; HOWEVER, IT IS EXPENSIVE AND THEY DO NOT HELP WITH THE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 20, 2003

NHTSA RECALL 00-V-311-001:MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WON'T HONOR THIS RECALL IN PUERTO RICO. *AK

Incident date: Jun 6, 2003

NHTSA RECALL 00-V-311-001 CONCERNING 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. RECALL REPAIR... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2002

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS HAD COME ON, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE (LOSS OF POWER). THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. CONTACTED DEALER. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD BROKEN. THERE IS A RECALL, 00V311001, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2002

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 98V205000 ON FLOOR MATS FOR 3RD ROW SEAT. HAD IT SERVICED. HOWEVER, 2ND ROW SEAT ALSO HAD SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.I COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY INJURED,OR KILLED.IWAS VERY LUCKY.*AK

I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.I COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY INJURED,OR KILLED.IWAS VERY LUCKY.*AK (TIRESIZE: 235-75R15)

Incident date: Mar 22, 2001

ENGINE STALLED AT STOP LIGHT. MECHANIC FOUND A BUTTERFLY SCREW ON THE PLENUM MANIFOLD CAME OFF AND FELL INTO ENGINE, PART NO MD 3359040, CAUSED $ 4000 DAMAGE. DEALER HAD TO TIGHTEN AND USE LOCK TIGHT SCREWS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *SLC

BACK DOOR HINGES HAVE RUSTED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE HINGES. *AK

Incident date: Aug 1, 2000

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERABLE AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. BRAKES MADE GRINDING AND STREAKING NOISES. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED.*AK

Incident date: Aug 1, 2000

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERABLE AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. BRAKES MADE GRINDING AND STREAKING NOISES. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. DEALER STATED THAT THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CAUSED BY CELL PHONE USE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Incident date: Jul 2, 1999

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. AUTO HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/SRS LIGHT REPEATEDLY. THE COMPUTER READING STATES TO REPLACE VARIOUS SENSORS. SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. PROBLEM IS PERPLEXING SERVICE MECHANICS -V... Read more

Incident date: Jul 2, 1999

THERE WERE THREE MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS. IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE THEY WERE ISSUED, AND MANUFACTURER HASN'T COMPLIED WITH THEM UP TO THIS DATE. *AK

OUR CENTURY "SMART MOVE" INFANT/TODDLER CARSEAT DID NOT INSTALL SECURELY. IT WOBBLED & DID NOT FIT IN THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT CORRECTLY - IT BLOCKED OUR VIEW OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW. WE ENDED UP EXCHANGING IT FOR THE FISHER PRICE CARSEAT, AND LIKE IT MUCH BETTER. A FRIEND OF MINE ALSO RETURNED HER "... Read more

Incident date: Nov 1, 1998

1996 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SEEMS PRONE TO PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE PADS AT 17,000 MILES, 30,000, AND IT APPEARS REPLACEMENT WILL AGAIN BE NECESSARY AT 40,000 MILES.

Incident date: Aug 23, 1998

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. MANUFACTURER SAID IT'S AN EMISSION PROBLEM. INFORMED IT'S NORMAL. TAKES TOO LONG TO WARM UP BEFORE SHIFTING. *AK

Incident date: Aug 23, 1998

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. MANUFACTURER SAID IT'S AN EMISSION PROBLEM. INFORMED IT'S NORMAL. TAKES TOO LONG TO WARM UP BEFORE SHIFTING. *AK

CD PLAYER/STEREO SPEAKER FAILED.

Incident date: Aug 1, 1996

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.

WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE MAKES A VERY ROUGH STOP. OWNER BELIEVES THAT HE CAN SEE BRAKE FLUID ON THE FRONT WHEELS. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HAS TO BE REPLENISHED EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. DEALER NOT ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. OWNER CONTIN... Read more

Incident date: Apr 1, 1998

PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR.

Incident date: Dec 4, 1997

VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT, NO RESPONSE FROM STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN EMBANKMENT, ROLLING OVER. DRIVER HEARD LOUD NOISE AT TIME OF STEERING FAILURE.

1 injured

Incident date: Jul 9, 1997

VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOSES SIGNIFICANT POWER. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.

Incident date: Jul 9, 1997

VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOSES SIGNIFICANT POWER. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.

Incident date: Feb 1, 1997

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH, AND UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

Incident date: Feb 1, 1997

Incident date: Jun 1, 1996

REAR VIEW MIRRORS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

Incident date: Sep 1, 1996

TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE DEFECTIVE.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1996 MITSUBISHI MONTERO

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive)	14.0	17.0	15.0	Regular	$4,100
3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive)	14.0	17.0	15.0	Regular	$4,100
3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive)	14.0	17.0	15.0	Regular	$4,100
3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive)	14.0	17.0	15.0	Regular	$4,100
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive)	13.0	17.0	14.0	Premium	$5,450

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Special Purpose Vehicles)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 MITSUBISHI MONTERO

79 manufacturer communications from 54 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	7
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER	7
350000 EQUIPMENT	6
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	5
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	5
100000 POWER TRAIN	5
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	4
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	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