1991 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 1991 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. Trailer Hitches
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
What could happen: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
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 1991 MONTERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93E023000.
- 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: TRAILER HITCHES
Summary: THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRAILER HITCH.EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: REESE CLASS II TRAILER HITCH, PART NO. 06070.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO THE DEALER FROM WHOM YOU PURCHASED THEITEM ON AN AGREED SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED OR THE REMEDY DOES CORRECT THE SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT REESE PRODUCTS WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-326-1090, EXT. 203. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Mitsubishi Montero owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (7), Steering (4), Wheels / tires (3), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/10/2006 · Engine
I PURCHASED A MITSUBISHI MONTERO AS A MAIN CAR TO TRANSPORT BACK AND FORTH TO MY BUSINESS. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT CAME OUT AND I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE CRANKSHAFT NOW I AM STUCK TRYING TO FIND A MECHANIC TO DRILL THE REMAINDER OF THE BOLT OUT. I BELIEVE…
08/01/2005 · Brakes
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL AT ONLY 1500 MILES. CONSUMER DID FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ON THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO OVERHEAT. THE DEALERSHIP IS FALSIFYING INFORMATION TO AN OFFICER BECAUSE THEY TOLD HIM CONSUMER WAS BEHIND ON HIS PAYMENTS A…
02/28/2005 · Steering
I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND MY A/T LIGHTS CAME ON ASWELL AS MY BATTERY LIGHT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND OPENED MY HOOD AND SAW MY HARMONIC BALANCER/PULLEY LAYING ON MY SKID PLATE AS WELL AS A BROKEN BOLT. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND OUT IT HAPPENS ALOT ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT ITS VERY COMMON. I USE THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL AND TO WORK…
03/07/2003 · Engine
THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL.*JB
02/25/2002 · Steering
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK
01/26/2002 · Engine
I HAD TWO TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME ON THE WAY HOME FROM NORTH HOLLYWOOD ON 9/19/01. MY CAR IS PRESENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP, SO I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE TIRES. ALSO MY THERMOSTAT WENT OUT ON ME AND MY RADIATOR HAD TO BE FLUSHED. MY ENGINE THROUGH A ROD OR IS ABOUT TO. I'V HAD PROBLEMS STARTIN UP MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE BATTERY KEEPS MOVING AND HAS NO BATTE…
03/28/2001 · Engine
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE DIED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BOLTS CAME OUT FROM CRANKSHAFT/ PULLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
03/15/2001 · Steering
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BECAME LOOSE OVER TIME. PULLEY BOLT CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK