MITSUBISHI MONTERO · model year

1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO

85 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997MITSUBISHIMONTERO carries 85 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 6 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 MONTERO is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 7 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (5) and engine and engine cooling (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 1997 MONTERO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

85
Complaints
7
Crashes
6
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

85 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
SUSPENSION:FRONT3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.2
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR2

Recent Complaints

20140609FireSEATS

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 AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AFTER MANY FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO MITSUBISHI, THEY BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THE CAR WAS 17 YEARS OLD. ALL OF THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS ON ME AS THE OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 172,000

20140609FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AFTER MANY FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO MITSUBISHI, THEY BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THE CAR WAS 17 YEARS OLD. ALL OF THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS ON ME AS THE OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 172,000

20110416ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH ALL YEARS OF MONTEROS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER THE COST FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE. *TR

Mileage: 270,000

20110226ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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. THIS IS THE 2ND MECHANIC WHO HAS TOLD ME THAT IT'S AN ENGINE DEFECT BECAUSE THE PIN/BOLT IS TOO SHORT. THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. IT OCCURS UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS AT LOW OR NO SPEED. *TR

20100416FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 61,505

20100416FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 61,505

20100317ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

Mileage: 156,000

20080903ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 190,000

20070718EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

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 BROKEN THAT LED TO POWER STEERING AND A/C PULLEY NOT WORKING. INCIDENT LED TO NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TURNING , AS POWER STEERING WOULD "KICK" IN AT TIMES DURING CORNERING AND LEAD TO OVERSTEER. HAD TO CHANGE CRANKSHAFT BOLT, HARMONIC BALANCER, TIMING BELT GEAR, AND SOMETHING ELSE. *TR

Mileage: 134,990

20070718ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 BROKEN THAT LED TO POWER STEERING AND A/C PULLEY NOT WORKING. INCIDENT LED TO NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TURNING , AS POWER STEERING WOULD "KICK" IN AT TIMES DURING CORNERING AND LEAD TO OVERSTEER. HAD TO CHANGE CRANKSHAFT BOLT, HARMONIC BALANCER, TIMING BELT GEAR, AND SOMETHING ELSE. *TR

Mileage: 134,990

20060807ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 92,165

20040904ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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 ONLY GOES OFF WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNHOOKED AND REHOOKED OR REPLACED.

Mileage: 110,500

20040904SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 ONLY GOES OFF WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNHOOKED AND REHOOKED OR REPLACED.

Mileage: 110,500

20040716ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 BACK. WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY AND ARE TILTING SLIGHTLY CAUSING A SMALL AIR LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALL PROBLEMS ARE ANNOYING BUT I CAN STILL GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.*AK

Mileage: 75,000

20040716LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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 BACK. WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY AND ARE TILTING SLIGHTLY CAUSING A SMALL AIR LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALL PROBLEMS ARE ANNOYING BUT I CAN STILL GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.*AK

Mileage: 75,000

20040716UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 BACK. WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY AND ARE TILTING SLIGHTLY CAUSING A SMALL AIR LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALL PROBLEMS ARE ANNOYING BUT I CAN STILL GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.*AK

Mileage: 75,000

20040714ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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 BELT SHEARED OFF. *AK

20040711FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

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 AND SAID ONE OF THE MAIN FUSE (MFI-MULTI FUEL INJECTION) HAD BLOWN.*AK HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE CAR WAS FINE, TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN , SO HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHECKED FOR ANY RECALL THERE WAS NONE.ON 7/8/04 IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME WHEN THE FUSE WAS REPLACED I TURNED OVER THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS SMOKING THROUGH THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE I WAS SO SCARED I RAN AWAY FROM IT UNTIL THE SMOKE WENT AWAY.THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME ALL THE BURNED WIRE IN THE HARNESS, PLEASE LET ME NOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM

20031027STEERING

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 TO THE RECALL THAT WAS CREATED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *PH

20030904FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

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 FOR 6-8 SECONDS, THEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF THICK GREY SMOKE CAME FROM AREA. WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED AWAY THE WIRING COVER AND WAS TOUCHING THE METAL ROD USED TO HOLD UP VISOR. FUSE DID NOT BLOW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE MY HEADLINER, BEHIND DASH, ETC.

Mileage: 96,000

Compare 1997MITSUBISHIMONTERO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO have?
The 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO has 85 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 6 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO?
The most-complained component for the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.