MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mitsubishi Montero

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Mitsubishi Montero
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:43:02.258Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mitsubishi Montero Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1984: 0 complaints 1984 1986: 4 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 1 complaints 1988 1989: 10 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1991: 18 complaints 1991 1992: 12 complaints 1993: 14 complaints 1994: 31 complaints 1994 1995: 86 complaints 1996: 27 complaints 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 74 complaints 1998 1999: 40 complaints 2000: 51 complaints 2000 2001: 166 complaints 2002: 111 complaints 2003: 39 complaints 2003 2004: 5 complaints 2005: 1 complaints 2006: 4 complaints 2006
1998: 74 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19864
19873
19881
198910
199023
199118
199212
199314
199431
199586
199627
199763
199874
199940
200051
2001166
2002111
200339
20045
20051
20064

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SUSPENSION 11%

11% of complaints: suspension — 8 distinct reports on file.

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, 19990403

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 6 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 4 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 3 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 74
I 19980731 — PE (closed 19980903)

REAR FOLDING SEAT DISENGAGEMENT

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

R 20210225 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V035000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — equipment

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.

Campaign 04V428000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Mitsubishi Montero — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V428000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V205000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V220000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V035000 (air bags) 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 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:front, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.