1989 Mitsubishi Montero recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
What could happen: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECU…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 MONTERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V103004.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE ENGINES ARE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE VALVE ICING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
What could happen: THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO STICK AND NOT ALLOWTHE ENGINE RPM TO RETURN TO IDLE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL A HEATED ADAPTER PLATE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 MONTERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V030000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: THE ENGINES ARE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE VALVE ICING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO STICK AND NOT ALLOWTHE ENGINE RPM TO RETURN TO IDLE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A HEATED ADAPTER PLATE.
Notes: SYSTEM: ENGINE/THROTTLE VALVE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH V-6 ENGINES.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (2), Seat belts (2), Airbags (1), Wheels / tires (1), Unknown Or Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/17/2004 · Airbags
THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE HORN CONNECTOR TO STOP THE HORN FROM OPERATING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *JB *TC
09/12/2000 · Wheels / tires
FIRST TIRE BLOWOUT JUST AFTER LEAVING PARING LOT AT WORK. SECOND TIRE BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THIRD TIRE REPLACED IN PARKING LOT AT WORK WHEN IT STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHOWED DAMAGE INDICATING A PLY SEPARATION WAS IMMINENT. FOURTH TIRE BLEW OUT AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR BENSON, AZ, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK( DOT NUMBER: ELBNCJL495 TIRE SIZE:…
08/23/2000 · Unknown Or Other
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE PAST YEAR. OUR MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT IT IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PARTS INVOLVED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE WON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. HE HAS TOLD US TO SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE HE CAN GIVE US A "WRITTEN GAURANTEE THAT THE…
05/12/1998 · Engine
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT:PULLEY BOLTS BROKE.
01/28/1997 · Steering
THE TIE ROD BROKE INSIDE THE ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE.
01/31/1996 · Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. TT
09/27/1995 · Suspension · crash
VEHICLE NOT DESIGNED TO TURN CORNERS AS OTHER 2 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SD
09/25/1995 · Steering · crash
WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. TT