Service brakes
Free remedy
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.
Research · Special Purpose Vehicles/2wd
1997 Mitsubishi MonteroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 97 owner complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (33) and service brakes, hydraulic (16). The EPA rates it 15–21 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15–21mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 1998
Owner complaints
97
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Unknown or other
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
97 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 1997 – May 2016
- Engine and engine cooling33
- Service brakes, hydraulic16
- Electrical system10
- Suspension8
- Steering7
- Power train6
- Equipment6
- Structure6
- Air bags6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
33 reports
“1997 MITSUBISH MONTERO 3.5 LITER AUTOMATIC- CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAS COME OUT ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND HAS COST OVER $3000 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE INSIDE OF THE CRANKSHAFT WHERE THE BOLT GOES IS COMPLETELY STRIPPED TO THE POINT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AS THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH ALL YEARS OF MONTEROS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER THE COST FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE. *TR”
Service brakes, hydraulic
16 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL #00V311001 AFFECTING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. AFTER SIX MONTHS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE ENGINE, OIL, AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO BEGAN TO TIGHTEN UP. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SHUTTER THEN THE PULLEY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000. UPDATED 02-11-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS $1,300.00 AND RECEIVED A DISCOUNT OF $200 FROM THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THE DEALER ALSO FOUND ANOTHER DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE IN WHICH THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO PAY OUT OF…”
Electrical system
10 reports4 fires
“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. AFTER CALLING MITSUBISHI, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SINCE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. AFTER MANY FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO MITSUBISHI, THEY BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THE CAR WAS 17 YEARS OLD. ALL OF THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS ON ME AS THE OWNER. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
8 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicles/2wd, Special Purpose Vehicles/4wd, Special Purpose Vehicles
- 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 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 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montero Sport 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Montero Sport 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Montero Sport 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Montero Sport 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Montero Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Montero Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Montero Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Montero Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 3808
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
1997 Montero questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero have?
2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 1997 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
Owners filed 97 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (33), service brakes, hydraulic (16), electrical system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero at 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026