1997 Mitsubishi Montero
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 17 of 63 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 27 in 1996 to 63 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,150–5,550 | 4,150–5,550 | 3,900–4,150 | 3,900–4,150 | 3,900–4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–15 | 14–15 | 15–16 | 15–16 | 15–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–14 / 16–17 | 13–14 / 17 | 14–15 / 17–18 | 14–15 / 17–18 | 14–15 / 17–18 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 592–635 | 592–635 | 555–592 | 555–592 | 555–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 86 | 27 | 63 | 74 | 40 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 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 1997 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 1997 Mitsubishi Montero?
Engine: 17 of 63 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero get?
EPA rates it 15–16 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero?
EPA estimates $3,900–$4,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| 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 (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 14 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 15 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 14 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (high) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 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)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 98V220000 · Sep 15, 1998
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.
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.