1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO

2 recalls, 85 complaints - 84 TSBs

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Defect Description

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

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.

61,800 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

85 total complaints 7 crashes 6 fires 12 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	3
SUSPENSION:FRONT	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3

Incident date: May 31, 2014

ON 5/31/14, MY 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A LARGE BURN IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AFTER CALLING MITSUBISHI, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SINCE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE A... Read more

Fire

Incident date: May 31, 2014

Fire

Incident date: Apr 16, 2011

1997 MITSUBISH MONTERO 3.5 LITER AUTOMATIC- CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAS COME OUT ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND HAS COST OVER $3000 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE INSIDE OF THE CRANKSHAFT WHERE THE BOLT GOES IS COMPLETELY STRIPPED TO THE POINT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AS THI... Read more

Incident date: May 12, 2009

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY PIN/BOLT GETS SHEARED OFF. DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND VEHICLE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AS THE PUMP IS NOT TURNING BECAUSE THE PROBLEM AFFECT THE ENTIRE PULLEY SYSTEM. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE TIMING GEAR/BELT/HARMONIC BALANCER. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN AS MANY YEARS THIS HAS HAPPENED. T... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2008

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT AND THE FLAMES CAUSED ME SEVERE BURNS TO MY BODY. I WAS NEARLY ASPHYXIATED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 15, 2008

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN A FIRE BROKE OUT AND THE FLAMES CAUSED ME SEVERE BURNS TO MY BODY. I WAS NEARLY ASPHYXIATED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 5, 2008

1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAME LOOSE THREE TIMES WHICH CREATED NO POWER STEERING AND NO CHARGING OF THE BATTERY PURCHASED NEW CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BUT DID NOT HELP THE THIRD TIME INSTALLED A LOCK WASHER ON THE BOLT AND RE TORQUED TO SPEC LAST WEEK. *TR

Incident date: Jun 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Incident date: Jun 25, 2007

STARTED CAR, NOTICED 3 RANDOM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THEN POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT. THEN A/C WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT COOL DOWN. THEN POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. CAR WAS DRIVEN TO REPAIR SHOP NEARBY, SINCE NO LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER. MECHANIC FOUND CRANKSHAFT BOLT BR... Read more

Incident date: Jun 25, 2007

Incident date: Sep 26, 2005

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND BOLT BECAME DISCONNECTED. THIS OCCURRED TWICE.

Incident date: Sep 1, 2004

1. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CAR WAS CHECKED OUT AND ESTIMATED CHARGES FOR REPAIRS TO FRONT BRAKE, INCLUDING NEW ROTOR, WOULD BE $1000. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL FOR 1997 MONTEROS IN REGARD TO BRAKE LINES. *AK 2. SERVICE ENGINE SOON COMES ON AT RANDOM AND ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2004

Incident date: Jan 6, 2004

1 - THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING, NO ACCIDENT OR MISUSE. 2 - VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND MUST KEEP TURNING IGNITION, EVENTUALLY IT STATS. (CHANGED BATTERY, TERMINALS, WIRES, ETC, WITH NO AFFECT) ALARM GOES OFF SPORADICALLY OR SETS ON IT'S OWN. DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK, THEN IMMEDIATELY LOCK BA... Read more

Incident date: Jan 6, 2004

Incident date: Jul 14, 2004

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. ALL ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MAIN BOLT TO THE PULLEY ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2004

IN EARLY 2003 I PURCHASED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO FULL SUV. IN APRIL 2003 MY GIRL FRIEND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ONE DAY , WHEN IT JUST BROKE DOWN ON HER .HEN SHE TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START.I GOT IT TOWED,AND MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AN... Read more

Fire

CRANKSHAFT BOLT IS LOOSENING ON VEHICLE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*MR CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T RECOGNIZED TO BE WITHIN THE RECALL. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT AND HAD TO PAY $1355.56 FOR REPAIRS AND $130.00 FOR TOWING. CONSUMER FEELS MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER COSTS OF REPAIRS AND TOWING DUE... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2003

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, PASSENGER (WIFE) MOVED HER WINDOW VISOR, A FLAME SHOT OUT TOWARDS HER FACE COMING FROM UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF WINDOW VISOR, WHERE WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED OVER TIME, DUE TO A PLASTIC COVERING EDGE TO HIDE WIRE.*AK FLAME WAS 4-5 INCHES LONG, 1 INCH THICK AND FLAMED... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Aug 11, 2003

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 00V311002 . THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT LOOSENED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOST OF POWER STEERING. *TS *PH *NLM

Incident date: May 25, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *TT

Incident date: Dec 27, 2002

PROBLEM WITH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX, JUST RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 3 WEEKS LATER CAR WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. DRIVER STEERED SLIGHTLY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS MAKING AN ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE AND MONTERO WENT OUT OF CONTRO... Read more

Crash 4 injured

Incident date: Feb 1, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER. CONSUMER STATES' NOW VEHICLE WILL NOT START. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Incident date: Nov 19, 2002

AFTER VEHICLE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS IMPACTED AND DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS OKAY. WHILE DRIVING THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BROKE. THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS TS

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 49 DAYS THE OIL PLUG CAME OUT, ALL THE OIL FELLOUT OF THE CAR AND ENGINE LOCKED, DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED MY WARRANTY*AK

Incident date: Jun 14, 2002

FAILURE CAUSED ERRATIC OPERATION OF POWER DOOR LOCKS, ALARM AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. OF SPECIAL CONCERN WAS THE RAPID FAILURE OF DOOR LOCKING COMPONENTS.

Incident date: Jun 14, 2002

FAILURE CAUSED ERRATIC OPERATION OF POWER DOOR LOCKS, ALARM AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. OF SPECIAL CONCERN WAS THE RAPID FAILURE OF DOOR LOCKING COMPONENTS.

Incident date: Apr 20, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH HIT AN ELK, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Dec 8, 2000

VEHICLE WAS IN 40 MPH CAR COLLISION, CRASHED INTO A TREE, AND ROOF COLLAPSED. ONTO CONSUMER'S HUSBAND. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK

Crash

REAR AXLE LEAF SPRING BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Incident date: Jan 22, 2001

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. REGULAR BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO WORK WHENEVER PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HAD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, AND BRAKES BLED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Incident date: Jan 22, 2001

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. REGULAR BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO WORK WHENEVER PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HAD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, AND BRAKES BLED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Incident date: Feb 16, 2001

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND NEVER GOES OFF, ON ONE OCCASION WHEN THE BATTERY WAS FAILED, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. *SLC

Incident date: Feb 16, 2001

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND NEVER GOES OFF, ON ONE OCCASION WHEN THE BATTERY WAS FAILED, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. *SLC

Incident date: Jul 5, 2000

THIS CAR WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT & SOLD TO ME WITHOUT A MV-103 FORM OR TITLE STATING THAT THIS A REBUILT SALVAGE. NO SAFTCY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

Incident date: Jul 5, 2000

THIS CAR WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT & SOLD TO ME WITHOUT A MV-103 FORM OR TITLE STATING THAT THIS A REBUILT SALVAGE. NO SAFTCY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER DOES NOT HOLD A CUP PROPERLY. THIS ALLOWS THE CUP TO FALL OVER WHICH DISTRACTS THE DRIVER. ALSO, CAUSES LIQUID TO SPILL ALL OVER THE DASH, WHICH CAUSES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Aug 15, 1997

I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND CD CHANGER ON THIS VEHICLE, AS WELL AS NUMBROUS OTHER PROBLEMS. PLEASE ADVISE IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *AK

Incident date: Aug 15, 1997

I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND CD CHANGER ON THIS VEHICLE, AS WELL AS NUMBROUS OTHER PROBLEMS. PLEASE ADVISE IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *AK

Incident date: Nov 4, 1999

I'VE HAD SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES TWICE NOW. MY BRAKES PULSATE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I'VE HAD MY ROTORS RESURFACED TWICE.(1) AT 34,000 MILES & (2) AT 58840. THE WARRANTY THE DEALER SHIP GIVES ME IS 3 MONTH OR 3000 MILES FOR PULSATING, EVEN IF I WERE TO BUY NEW ROTORS. I' VE HAD TO RECENTLY REPLACE M... Read more

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH OR FASTER THE FRONT END BEGINS TO VIBRATE VERY HARD. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Incident date: Mar 1, 1999

MY SUV ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAS STALLED WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO STOP. ON ONE OCCASION, MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STANDSTILL-WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON EACH OCCASION, WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING UPON ACCELERATING FROM STANDSTILL I... Read more

NO SUMMARY

Incident date: Sep 17, 1998

VEHICLE LOST CONTROL IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING IMPACT. MJS (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Sep 17, 1998

VEHICLE LOST CONTROL IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING IMPACT. MJS (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jul 1, 1999

I AM SCARED. AT 50-70MPH THE VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT TIRES UP THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL IS DANGEROUS, BORDERS ON LOSING CONTROL. RESEARCH ON INTERNET: THIS IS A HIGHLY COMMON PROBLEM FOR MONTERO SPORT OWNERS. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

Incident date: Jul 3, 1999

SEAT BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHMENT BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 3, 1999

ENTIRE FAN AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. SHEARED OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING IN INTER CITY TRAFFIC, IF THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY THIS ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE DAMAGED EITHER THE STEERING, FUEL OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE LOCAL DEALER AND FACTORY REPRESENTATIVES HAVE REVIEWED AND C... Read more

Incident date: Jun 3, 1999

Showing 50 of 85 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1997 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, 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)	15.0	18.0	16.0	Regular	$3,850
3.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive)	14.0	18.0	15.0	Regular	$4,100

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, 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO

84 manufacturer communications from 59 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER	12
350000 EQUIPMENT	7
100000 POWER TRAIN	5
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	5
200000 WHEELS	4
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY	4
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
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