1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems
The 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has 37 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (43%) concerns engine. After that come steering (11%) and brakes (5%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 37 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 43% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 118,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 22 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 118,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 125,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport with enough data (12 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
While waiting for the light to change at zero speed, I was struck in the rear by a conversion van going approximately 40 MPH. Primary impact caused the back of the driver's seat to collapse. The car was totaled and I as the driver experienced severe lower and upper spine injuries. Dt
When driving over 50 MPH a very loud wind noise has been coming into passenger's compartment through windows. Noise is so loud that it is drowning out radio. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has not determined cause of problem. Please provide any further details.
1997 mitsubishi montero sport was taken to dealership for crankshaft pulley bolt recall service. 18 months later, the bolt backed out, causing approx. $1000 in damages, repaired at private mechanic's garage. Happened again 1 month later; same garage repaired under their warranty. Happened again 1 month later; private garage refused to repair again. Took it to manufacturer dealership; paid another approx. $1100 for repairs.
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.