MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mitsubishi Montero

● Typical for this model
1997 Mitsubishi Montero
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:53:29.701Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mitsubishi Montero Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 1 complaints 1989: 10 complaints 1989 1990: 23 complaints 1991: 18 complaints 1992: 12 complaints 1992 1993: 14 complaints 1994: 32 complaints 1995: 86 complaints 1995 1996: 27 complaints 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 74 complaints 1998 1999: 40 complaints 2000: 51 complaints 2001: 166 complaints 2001 2002: 111 complaints 2003: 39 complaints 2004: 5 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaints 2006: 4 complaints 2006
1997: 63 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19864
19873
19881
198910
199023
199118
199212
199314
199432
199586
199627
199763
199874
199940
200051
2001166
2002111
200339
20045
20051
20064

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 29%

29% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 27%

27% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140609

Also filed under SEATS

IN EARLY 2003 I PURCHASED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO FULL SUV.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040711

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20030904

SUSPENSION 10%

10% of complaints: suspension — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and leaf spring assembly.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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).

NHTSA ODI report, 19990730

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVIING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN CENTER LANE, HIT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON, BOTH FENDERS AND ENTIRE FRONT WAS HIT. CONSUMER ALMOST HIT WINDSHIELD. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. HAD SEAT BELT ON.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971208

DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END CRASH, VEHICLE BROADSIDED ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP, SENSORS WERE NOT HIT, FRONT BUMPERS TOTALLY DAMAGED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970605

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19981016 — unknown or other

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.

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.

Campaign 98V205000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981023 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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 CORRE

Campaign 98V220000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Mitsubishi Montero — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V205000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V220000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 2003 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ◆ 2002 ◆ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.