VehicleVerdict

1995 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 106 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.5 times the median Montero year — the 1995 model ranks #3 of 22 Montero years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 31 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 37 reports (35% of the total).

106

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

31

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Montero years?

Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 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, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Mitsubishi Montero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3735%
Steering1211%
Brakes98%
Electrical System88%
Suspension88%
Transmission55%
Tires & Wheels44%
Fuel System44%
Airbags33%
Seat Belts33%
Seats33%
Body & Structure22%
Speed Control22%
Other22%
Lighting22%
Visibility & Wipers22%

Does the 1995 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

2 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.

98V205000OtherSeptember 2, 1998 · 60,243 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACCESSORY CARGO MATS IN THE THIRD-SEAT AND CARGO AREA. THIS CARGO MAT INTERFERES WITH THE LATCHING INTEGRITY OF THE FOLDING THIRD SEATS.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT OF THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THIRD-SEAT LATCH AND STRIKER. A RECTANGLE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CARGO MAT AROUND EACH STRIKER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STRIKER CLEARANCE AND PROPER LATCHING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING . CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP CONSUMER NOTICED THAT PULLEY FELL OFF. DEALER DETERMINED THAT CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT DETACHED, CAUSING $900.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 13, 2004

“WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH, THE DRIVER STARTED TO HEAR DRILLING SOUNDS/VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING HE COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FLIP AND SPIN AND WAS INVOLVED IN A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 17, 1997 · crash

“WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH WHEN REAR WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. REAR WHEELS WERE JUMPING UP AND DOWN. THEN, VEHICLE FLIPPED AND ROLLED 3 TIMES. PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED AND CAUSED PASSENGER TO BE TOSSED AROUND IN VEHICLE. PASSENGER SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. POLICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 4, 2001 · crash

“AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE CONSUMER TURNED A CORNER (10-20MPH) THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED TO THE RIGHT THEN TO THE LEFT AND FELL TO THE LEFT. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 29, 1996 · crash

“UPON STARTING VEHICLE THE BATTERY EXPLODED. BATTERY WAS LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD. THE BATTERY WAS MANUFACTURED BY INTERSTATE. THE OWNER HAS PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY, BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY OTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 3, 1999

1995 Mitsubishi Montero — common questions

Is the 1995 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 106 complaints put the 1995 model at #3 of 22 Montero years. It is one of the Montero years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Montero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (37 complaints), steering (12 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 1995 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 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.