MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mitsubishi Montero

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Mitsubishi Montero
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:58:34.761Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
74
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 1 complaint 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 1998: 74 complaints 1998 74 1999: 40 complaints 2000: 51 complaints 2001: 166 complaints 2001 2002: 111 complaints 2003: 39 complaints 2004: 5 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint 2006: 4 complaints
1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 10 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 18 complaints 1992: 12 complaints 1992 1993: 14 complaints 1994: 32 complaints 1994 1995: 86 complaints 1996: 27 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1998: 74 complaints 1998 74 1999: 40 complaints 2000: 51 complaints 2000 2001: 166 complaints 2002: 111 complaints 2002 2003: 39 complaints 2004: 5 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint 2006: 4 complaints 2006
1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 10 complaints 1989 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 18 complaints 1991 1992: 12 complaints 1992 1993: 14 complaints 1993 1994: 32 complaints 1994 1995: 86 complaints 1995 1996: 27 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 74 complaints 1998 74 1999: 40 complaints 1999 2000: 51 complaints 2000 2001: 166 complaints 2001 2002: 111 complaints 2002 2003: 39 complaints 2003 2004: 5 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 4 complaints 2006

1998: 74 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.

Suspension

24% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I was in an accident six weeks after I purchased my Montero. Stuart Lincoln-Mercury, who is an authorized dealer, repaired my Montero. My front end was supposed to be aligned.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-04-03

Due to non -tightening/missing of the lower ball joint nut by the manufacturer. While driving the vehicle the right wheel almost came off, causing loss of vehicle control, resulting in the consumer hitting a guardrail.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-01-29

Consumer states had vehicle checked by a dealer several times because of "Clicking" Noise. Dealer finally determined that vheicle had a broken leaf spring which could cause truck to lose control, while turning and flip over.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-23

Service brakes

15% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Air bags

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 35 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a three vehicle pile up. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained major head injuries, and passenger broke his shoulder.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-10

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V035000 (Air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-10-05

Structure

7% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing bumpers and frame and members.

CRASH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 74 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1998-07-31Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-09-03 Rear folding seat disengagement
  3. R
    1998-10-16Unknown or other98V205000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1998-10-23Service brakes, hydraulic98V220000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2021-02-25Air bags20V035000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    Date not on fileEquipment04V428000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Mitsubishi Montero — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
  • Recall 98V205000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 98V220000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 20V035000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.