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1999 Mitsubishi Montero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 40 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

40 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Suspension

VEHCLE VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VIBRATION IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER 65 MPH. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES WERE CHANGED, A NEW DRIVESHAFT INSTALLED AND MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. CONSUMER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE VIBRATION PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATIO…

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VEHCLE VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VIBRATION IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER 65 MPH. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES WERE CHANGED, A NEW DRIVESHAFT INSTALLED AND MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. CONSUMER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE VIBRATION PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #852893

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1999
Suspension

WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED IN MAY 1999, I WAS TOLD I WILL EXPERIENCE VIBRATIONS IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE (SUV). THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTENTLY GOTTEN WORSE. I WAS THEN TOLD IT WAS THE TIRES AND A BALANCE WOULD CORRECT THE VIBRATIONS. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS BALANCE TWICE AND THE VIBRATIONS STILL EXIST. NOW I'M BEING TO…

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WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED IN MAY 1999, I WAS TOLD I WILL EXPERIENCE VIBRATIONS IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE (SUV). THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTENTLY GOTTEN WORSE. I WAS THEN TOLD IT WAS THE TIRES AND A BALANCE WOULD CORRECT THE VIBRATIONS. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS BALANCE TWICE AND THE VIBRATIONS STILL EXIST. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THE CHASIS BEARING HAVE SAGGED.. SHOULD THIS TYPE OF DEFECT BE HAPPENING ON A 5 MONTH OLD VEHICLE?

NHTSA ODI #713940

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1999
Power Train

THREE SEPERATE INCIDENTS OF MY TRANSMISSION FAILING.......SAND AND OTHER DEBRIS IS GETTING PUSHED UP INTO THE HYDROLICS AND BREAKING SEALS, TEARING UP TRANSMISSION, AS I UNDERSTOOD......MITSUBISHI WARANTEED THE FIRST TWO CASES, BUT NOT THE THIRD.......PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, FOR I WAS FOOLED INTO BUYING AN "OFF-ROAD" VEHICHLE B…

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THREE SEPERATE INCIDENTS OF MY TRANSMISSION FAILING.......SAND AND OTHER DEBRIS IS GETTING PUSHED UP INTO THE HYDROLICS AND BREAKING SEALS, TEARING UP TRANSMISSION, AS I UNDERSTOOD......MITSUBISHI WARANTEED THE FIRST TWO CASES, BUT NOT THE THIRD.......PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, FOR I WAS FOOLED INTO BUYING AN "OFF-ROAD" VEHICHLE BUT INSTEAD RECIEVED A LEMON

NHTSA ODI #713694

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING AND GRINDING AT APPROX 12,500 MILES, I TOOK IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A COMPLETE FRONT BRAKE JOB, BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKES WERE NOT GRIPPING DUE TO BUILD UP "YOUR BACK BRAKES ARE PRACTICALLY NEW" BUT NEED MAINTENANCE. AFTER PAYING $336.00 NONE OF IT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, 2 WEEKS LATER BRA…

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MY BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING AND GRINDING AT APPROX 12,500 MILES, I TOOK IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A COMPLETE FRONT BRAKE JOB, BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKES WERE NOT GRIPPING DUE TO BUILD UP "YOUR BACK BRAKES ARE PRACTICALLY NEW" BUT NEED MAINTENANCE. AFTER PAYING $336.00 NONE OF IT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, 2 WEEKS LATER BRAKES BEGAN TO GRIND AND SQUEAL AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY "BAD BRAKE PADS". 3 WEEKS HAVE SINCE PASSED AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE DEALER BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE AGAIN GRINDING AND SQEALING. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE THAT "EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT THE BRAKES" . MY LEASE IS FOR 42 MONTHS, I HOPE NOT TO HAVE TO BE AT THE DEALER FOR BRAKES EVERY 2 WEEKS. I URGE YOU TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND NOT COME TO FIND OUT LATER THAT A MAJOR PROBLEM EXISTS AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS AT RISK. THANK YOU. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. CECILIA ORTIZ

NHTSA ODI #711768

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HIGH BEAMS SHINE TO THE FAR LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. HAS TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES, AND THE LAST TIME TOOK THE VEHICLE IN, AND DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND ADJUSTED THE HIGH BEAMS. BUT WHEN CONSUMER DROVE LATER THAT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS WERE FINE, BUT THE LOW BEAMS WERE SHINING TO THE…

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WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HIGH BEAMS SHINE TO THE FAR LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. HAS TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES, AND THE LAST TIME TOOK THE VEHICLE IN, AND DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND ADJUSTED THE HIGH BEAMS. BUT WHEN CONSUMER DROVE LATER THAT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS WERE FINE, BUT THE LOW BEAMS WERE SHINING TO THE FAR RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN RE-ADJUSTED BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AGAIN THE HIGH BEAM WERE SHINING TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847975

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847869

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1999
Child Seat

INFANT CAR SEAT - COSTCO TOURIVA DEFECTIVE- ARM CRACKED AND FELL OUT OF SOCKET WITH VERY LITTLE WEAR.

NHTSA ODI #711398

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 1999
Suspension

FRONT END HAS ALOT OF NOISE COMING FROM IT, AND JERKS THE STEERING WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WHEN HITTING BUMPS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 3 TIMES, AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #845635

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 1999
Suspension

VEHICLE ALWAYS DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AT ANY SPEED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #547475

Mileage unknown · May 10, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FLUID DUE TO A PIN HOLE IN THE BELL HOUSING, CAUSE UNKNWOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #837684

Official recalls

2

20V035000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 23, 2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-001.

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.