1999 Mitsubishi MONTERO SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
96,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 32 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 |
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Tires: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 22 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 | 1 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 12; 2002: 3; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025404 · 2003-07-04 (July 4, 2003)
THE MOTOR FOR MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I AM ALSO UPSET THAT THE PARTS STORE QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $110, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT IT WOULD BE TWO WEEKS BEFORE ONE COULD BE OBTAINED, AND THEN ONLY MITSUBISHI WOULD SELL IT TO ME AND FOR $190. WHY WOULD A MOTOR GO OUT ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 86,000 MILES?. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028383 · 2003-07-16 (July 16, 2003)
NEUTRAL LIGHT FLASHS WHEN DRIVING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 90,493 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029106 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)
1999 MONTERO SPORT. THE AIR CONDITIONER A/C BELT WENT OUT 3 TIMES LAST SUMMER AND NOW, ITS SUMMER AGAIN IN AZ, AND THERE GOES THE A/C AGAIN! IT HAS NOT BEEN A YEAR SINCE THE LAST A/C REPAIR! DID I FAIL TO MENTION THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT BEFORE 80,000 MILES?. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040228 · 2003-09-22 (September 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING RIGHT WHEEL WELL CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103947 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLIDE WHILE MERGING AND ROLLED OVER HITTING THE CENTER WALL OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. *TC THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A ROLL OVER. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY, THE CONSUMER WAS NOT IN A SEAT BELT, THE AIR BAGS DID IN FACT DEPLOY, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS SHIFTED TO THE PASSENGER'S SEAT DUE TO THE IMPACT AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE/SHE DID NOT GO OVER THE SPEED LIMIT AND WAS DRIVING PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108772 · 2005-02-18 (February 18, 2005)
THE DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10108772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108773 · 2005-01-24 (January 24, 2005)
THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10108773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124255 · 2005-06-05 (June 5, 2005)
NUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON (FLASHING) WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ONCE ON 5/08/05 AND AGAIN ON 6/5/05
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124255 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V311001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2000-10-02 (October 2, 2000)
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.
Consequence: THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. ON THE MONTERO MODELS, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE BOLT IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V027000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2001-02-05 (February 5, 2001)
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.
Consequence: THESE HOSES COULD BURST CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V041000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1999-03-04 (March 4, 1999)
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.
Consequence: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT TO LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED TO BELOW APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE, AN ADDITIONAL LABEL DESCRIBING THE PROPER USE OF FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE WILL BE PROVIDED, AND WILL RELOCATE THE TRANSMISSION BREATHER VENT. IN ADDITION, THE OWNER'S MANUAL WILL BE CORRECTED WITH THE PROPER INFORMATION TO REFLECT THE CHANGE TO THE SPEED LIMITATIONS IN THE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗