MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT · model year

1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT

37 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997MITSUBISHIMONTERO SPORT carries 37 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, 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 SPORT is engine and engine cooling:engine with 4 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (4) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys (3). 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 SPORT. 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.

37
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

37 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2
STEERING2
POWER TRAIN2
ENGINE2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY1
SEATS1

Recent Complaints

20160519TIRES

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 REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V311001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

Mileage: 114,000

20160519POWER TRAIN

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 REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V311001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

Mileage: 114,000

20160519SUSPENSION

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 REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V311001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

Mileage: 114,000

20150415ENGINE

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

Mileage: 250,639

20150313ENGINE

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

Mileage: 167,000

20141028STEERING

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

Mileage: 160,600

20141028POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 160,600

20090911STEERING

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

Mileage: 170,000

20081021FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE SALVAGE YARD. THE SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE SUSTAINED PROPERTY DAMAGE. IN JULY OF 2008, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN SHE ACTIVATED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO A SHORT ON THE CONNECTOR WIRE, THE AIR BAG CONNECTOR WIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

Mileage: 116,000

20080813ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER APPROVED THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V311001 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

20080502ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 GRINDING AND THEN A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, I LOST POWER STEERING AND QUICKLY PULLED OVER. POPPED THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAD BROKEN OFF. I TOWED IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD BROKEN. HE GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $2400 TO HAVE THE CRANKSHAFT REPLACED, OR $3100 TO PUT IN A REBUILT ENGINE. I CALLED MITSUBIHSI AND TALKED TO S LADY WHO WAS VERY RUDE, SHE WOULD HARDLY LET ME SAY ANYTHING. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO AND TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAD REPLACED THE BOLT. THAT DEALERSHIP IS NO LONGER THERE, WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO

Mileage: 130,000

20080116ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO BEGAN TO TIGHTEN UP. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SHUTTER THEN THE PULLEY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000. UPDATED 02-11-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS $1,30

Mileage: 149,000

20080116SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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 ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO BEGAN TO TIGHTEN UP. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SHUTTER THEN THE PULLEY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000. UPDATED 02-11-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS $1,30

Mileage: 149,000

20070524ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

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. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20051025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND TO MITSUBISHI. MITSUBISHI TOLD HER TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE COVERED. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND HE TOLD HER THAT AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLT, AS STATED IN THE RECALL. SHE THOUGH THE RECALL NOTICE SHOULD HAVE STATED THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE ACTUALLY CHANGED THE BOLT.*AK

Mileage: 92,000

20051005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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 AT NO COST LAST WEEK ON 9-29--0) THE TIMING BELT CAME OFF AGAIN. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND THE MECHANIC COULD SEE THE BOLT STICKING OUT. TALKED TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER ORIGINALLY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT HAD A LIFETIME WARRANTY. LATER THE CONTACT FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE ESTIMATE REPAIR EXPENSE WOULD BE $500.00. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND NEITHER WANTED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR IT CORRECTLY. *AK

Mileage: 95,812

20050222ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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 THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE.*AK

Mileage: 120,000

20050105STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 98,648

20050105ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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

Mileage: 98,648

20041108SEAT BELTS:FRONT

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

Mileage: 30,000

Compare 1997MITSUBISHIMONTERO SPORT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT have?
The 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT has 37 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT?
The most-complained component for the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS.
Is the 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT 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.