VehicleVerdict

1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport sits mid-pack among Montero Sport years: 48 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 44, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (7), suspension (5), and transmission (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

48

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Montero Sport years?

Montero Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted128 complaints1997: 37 complaints1998: 44 complaints1999: 48 complaints2000: 128 complaints2001: 80 complaints2002: 63 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 6 complaints2009: 3 complaints
Montero Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine715%
Brakes510%
Transmission510%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)510%
Suspension510%
Steering48%
Tires & Wheels36%
Body & Structure36%
Lighting24%
Fuel System24%
Electrical System24%
Other24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Seats12%
Airbags12%

Does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01V027000BrakesFebruary 5, 2001 · 19,000 units

Defect

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.

00V311001EngineOctober 2, 2000 · 210,000 units

Defect

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.

99V041000TransmissionMarch 4, 1999 · 10,000 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 5, 2008

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · July 24, 2003

“THE VEHICLE CONSTANLTY PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING, NOISES CAN BE HEARD WHEN BRAKING AND WHEN ACCELERATING AND THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPALCED BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 18, 1998

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 2, 2009

“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THERE WAS NO PRESSURE BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL. ATTEMPTED TO PUMP BRAKES ,AND THAT SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN, BUT NOT IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 14, 2001 · crash

1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport — common questions

Is the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reliable?

It is close to typical for the Montero Sport: 48 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Montero Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (7 complaints), suspension (5 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Montero Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Montero Sport years to avoid are 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among Montero Sport years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.