1996 Mitsubishi Montero
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 10 of 27 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 86 in 1995 to 27 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,150–5,550 | 4,150–5,550 | 3,900–4,150 | 3,900–4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–15 | 14–15 | 15–16 | 15–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–14 / 16–17 | 13–14 / 17 | 14–15 / 17–18 | 14–15 / 17–18 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 592–635 | 592–635 | 555–592 | 555–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 86 | 27 | 63 | 74 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 0 | 6 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 1 | 9 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero?
Engine: 10 of 27 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero get?
EPA rates it 14–15 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Mitsubishi Montero?
EPA estimates $4,150–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 14 mpg (high) | 17 mpg | 15 mpg (high) | $4,150 (low) | 592 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 14 mpg (high) | 17 mpg | 15 mpg (high) | $4,150 (low) | 592 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 14 mpg (high) | 17 mpg | 15 mpg (high) | $4,150 (low) | 592 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 14 mpg (high) | 17 mpg | 15 mpg (high) | $4,150 (low) | 592 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Special Purpose Vehicles | 13 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 00V311001 · Oct 24, 2000
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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER · Campaign 98V205000 · Sep 9, 1998
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.