VehicleVerdict

1997 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 85 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median Montero year — the 1997 model ranks #5 of 22 Montero years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (18), engine (17), and electrical system (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

85

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Montero years?

Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Mitsubishi Montero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1821%
Engine1720%
Electrical System1012%
Suspension67%
Airbags56%
Transmission56%
Body & Structure45%
Visibility & Wipers34%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)34%
Steering34%
Seat Belts22%
Other22%
Speed Control11%
Child Seat11%
Latches & Locks11%
Fuel System11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Driver Assistance11%
Seats11%

Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

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

98V220000BrakesSeptember 9, 1998 · 61,800 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINES CAN DEVELOP PIN HOLES DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE IN THE INNER FENDER.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAK RESULTING IN DETERIORATED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE INDICATOR LAMP.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ROUTING. IF THE LINES ARE NOT CORRECTLY CENTERED IN THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE, THE LINES WILL BE REPOSITIONED BY BENDING SLIGHTLY TO CORRECT. IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF BRAKE LINE WEAR, THE BRAKE LINE 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.

“ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; DURING NORMAL BRAKING, NO INCLEMENT WEATHER, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE TRUCK WOULD PULSATE VERY BADLY. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED ON DECEMBER 31, 1997 AT 4462 MILES. AT 7600 MILES ON MAR 10, 1997, BOTH ROTORS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WARPING. ROTORS ARE BEING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 1, 1997

“MY SUV ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAS STALLED WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO STOP. ON ONE OCCASION, MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STANDSTILL-WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON EACH OCCASION, WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING UPON ACCELERATING FROM STANDSTILL IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 1999

“ON 5/31/14, MY 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A LARGE BURN IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AFTER CALLING MITSUBISHI, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME SINCE IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 31, 2014 · fire

“VEHICLE LOST CONTROL IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING IMPACT. MJS (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 17, 1998 · crash

“PROBLEM WITH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX, JUST RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 3 WEEKS LATER CAR WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. DRIVER STEERED SLIGHTLY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS MAKING AN ILLEGAL LANE CHANGE AND MONTERO WENT OUT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 27, 2002 · crash

1997 Mitsubishi Montero — common questions

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 85 complaints put the 1997 model at #5 of 22 Montero years. It is one of the Montero years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Montero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (18 complaints), engine (17 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints).

Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 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.