VehicleVerdict

1992 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Montero years?

Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted213 complaints1984: 0 complaints1986: 8 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 10 complaints1990: 25 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 17 complaints1994: 35 complaints1995: 106 complaints1996: 40 complaints1997: 85 complaints1998: 91 complaints1999: 47 complaints2000: 68 complaints2001: 213 complaints2002: 132 complaints2003: 53 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 6 complaints
Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Mitsubishi Montero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine633%
Brakes633%
Lighting16%
Other16%
Speed Control16%
Body & Structure16%
Tires & Wheels16%
Electrical System16%

Does the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

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

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.

96V143002BrakesAugust 12, 1996 · 10,000 units

Defect

UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

96V143001BrakesJuly 25, 1996 · 93,000 units

Defect

UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

93E023000Trailer HitchJuly 22, 1993 · 670 units

Defect

THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.

Consequence

IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MITSUBISHI MONTERO 1992. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:00V311001 AND 96V143002. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE RECALL IS VOID BECAUSE THE BOLT BROKE AND THEY ASSUME THAT IT BROKE NOT BECAUSE OF RECALLED PART BUT IMPROPER REPAIR. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 28, 2010

“WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING ON BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER SAW A SCHOOL BUS AND SWERVED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAR WAS STILL GOING AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER RAN UP AN EMBANKMENT AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT DIDN'T REALLY HELP, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THERE WAS A BIG SPLIT IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 23, 1999 · crash

“ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE MODULE, REPLACING SECOND MODULE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK SPARK PLUGS WERE NOT OPERATIVE DUE TO ECM FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE REPAIRED ECM. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 10, 2001

“THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON MITSUBUSHI HAS THE COMPLETE REPAIR RECORD THEY SAY ITS THE ONLY ONE I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIVE AS THERE OWN DEALER SAID VALVE TRAIN PROBLEMS WERE FREQUENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 14, 2000

1992 Mitsubishi Montero — common questions

Is the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1992 Montero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (6 complaints), brakes (6 complaints), lighting (1 complaints).

Does the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Montero years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Montero years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 1995, 1998, 1997, 2000, 2003, 1999, 1996. The cleanest record among Montero years belongs to 1984.

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.