Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

1999 Mitsubishi Montero SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 16–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–20mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2001
Owner complaints
33
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH NONCOMPLIANT BRAKE VACUUM HOSES.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Feb 5, 2001NHTSA 01V027000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; MONTERO SPORT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES; AND MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 2, 2000NHTSA 00V311001

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD BE VENTED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF UNANTICIPATED HEAT GENERATION IN THE TRANSMISSION.

Power trainReported Mar 4, 1999NHTSA 99V041000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – Oct 2016
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Power train5
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  4. Suspension4
  5. Equipment4
  6. Structure3
  7. Steering2
  8. Tires2
  9. Fuel system, gasoline2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Montero Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199835
199933
200097
2001242
200261
200383
20045
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports1 crash
“ON SAT. 2/6/2010 WHILE DRIVING, I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING WHICH SCARED ME FOR A MOMENT. AFTER PULLING OVER, I INVESTIGATED WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, AND FOUND THAT MY HARMONIC BALANCER HAD COME LOOSE. I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE HOUSE, AND PARKED IT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10307719

Power train

5 reports
“TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TO INDICATE OVERHEAT OR POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE (SAFETY CONCERN) TO ALLOW TRANS TO COOL DOWN. I NOW DISCOVER MITSUBISHI HAS A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THIS ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE, REQUIRING INSTALLATION OF A LARGER CAPACITY TRANSMISSION PAN, FILTER AND SCREEN, AND A LONGER FILL TUBE AND MEASURING WAND. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2009Power trainODI 10268616

Service brakes, hydraulic

5 reports1 crash
“THE AIR CONDITIONING DISPELLS AN ODOR SIMILAR TO URINE WHEN TURNED ON. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK SHAKES BADLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT 50 MPH OR GREATER. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS CONTINUE EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR WORK. THE A/C PROBLEM HAS NEVER GONE AWAY . ALL THE DEALERSHIP DOES IS APPLY A DEODERANT BUT IT DOES NOT HELP. THE ROTORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHANGED ONCE AND THE BRAKES WERE ALSO CHANGED. THE TIRES WERE EVEN ROTATED BUT THE VIBRATING CONTINUES.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2001Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, EquipmentODI 750732
All 1999 Montero Sport problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Montero Sport 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192220$3,000444
Montero Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162018$3,350494
Montero Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,550523
Montero Sport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
161917$3,550523
Montero Sport 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,550523
Montero Sport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151816$3,750555
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Montero Sport questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 13, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), power train (5), service brakes, hydraulic (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport at 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026