1997 Mitsubishi MONTERO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
110,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 29 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 27.6% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 24.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 5; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10037207 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
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 FLAME WAS 4-5 INCHES LONG, 1 INCH THICK AND FLAMED FOR 6-8 SECONDS, THEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF THICK GREY SMOKE CAME FROM AREA. WIRE FOR VANITY MIRROR HAD CHAFFED AWAY THE WIRING COVER AND WAS TOUCHING THE METAL ROD USED TO HOLD UP VISOR. FUSE DID NOT BLOW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081177 · 2004-07-16 (July 16, 2004)
1 - THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING, NO ACCIDENT OR MISUSE. 2 - VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND MUST KEEP TURNING IGNITION, EVENTUALLY IT STATS. (CHANGED BATTERY, TERMINALS, WIRES, ETC, WITH NO AFFECT) ALARM GOES OFF SPORADICALLY OR SETS ON IT'S OWN. DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK, THEN IMMEDIATELY LOCK BACK. WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP CORRECTLY AND ARE TILTING SLIGHTLY CAUSING A SMALL AIR LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALL PROBLEMS ARE ANNOYING BUT I CAN STILL GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005704 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
PROBLEM WITH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX, JUST RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 3 WEEKS LATER CAR WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. DRIVER STEERED SLIGHTLY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS MAKING AN ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE AND MONTERO WENT OUT OF CONTROL. NEITHER STEERING NOR BRAKING COULD STOP OR AFFECT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,295 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034181 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 00V311002 . THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT LOOSENED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOST OF POWER STEERING. *TS *PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090429 · 2004-09-04 (September 4, 2004)
1. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CAR WAS CHECKED OUT AND ESTIMATED CHARGES FOR REPAIRS TO FRONT BRAKE, INCLUDING NEW ROTOR, WOULD BE $1000. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL FOR 1997 MONTEROS IN REGARD TO BRAKE LINES. *AK 2. SERVICE ENGINE SOON COMES ON AT RANDOM AND ONLY GOES OFF WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNHOOKED AND REHOOKED OR REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044520 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
CRANKSHAFT BOLT IS LOOSENING ON VEHICLE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*MR CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T RECOGNIZED TO BE WITHIN THE RECALL. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT AND HAD TO PAY $1355.56 FOR REPAIRS AND $130.00 FOR TOWING. CONSUMER FEELS MITSUBISHI SHOULD COVER COSTS OF REPAIRS AND TOWING DUE TO THE RECALL THAT WAS CREATED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044520 at NHTSA ↗