VehicleVerdict

1993 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 1993 Mitsubishi Montero — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Montero years?

Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Mitsubishi Montero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine847%
Steering529%
Fuel System212%
Electrical System16%
Tires & Wheels16%

Does the 1993 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

3 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT CAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE CRANKSHAFT TO STRIP OUT THE GEARING. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOOSE POWER & WAS LESS RESPONSIVE ... & THE HIDEOUS SCREECHING SOUND SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ALL THE DRIVERS & PEDESTRIANS WHO WERE NEARBY AT THE INTERSECTION. REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 4, 2002

“WHILE DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, STEERING COLUMN DROPPED DOWN. IT WAS AN ADJUSTED STEERING COLUMN. TRIED TO READJUST IT, WHICH WAS NOT A PROBLEM. DROVE VEHICLE HOME AND PARKED IT. CHECKED UNDER DASH NEAR COLUMN AND NOTICED A BOLT HAD FALLEN OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 14, 2000

“ON MITSUBISHI, MONTERO 1993, WITH B.F.GOODRICH TA 30 X 9.5 TIRES, CONSUMER NOTICED A CRACK IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. CONSUMER FELT TREAD MAY HAVE BEEN SEPARATING.*AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 21, 2000

1993 Mitsubishi Montero — common questions

Is the 1993 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1993 Montero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), steering (5 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 1993 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 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.