1993 Mitsubishi Montero recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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.
What could happen: THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: 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…
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 1993 MONTERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V311001.
- 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary: 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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PERFORMED IN FIVE SEPARATE OWNER MAILINGS, WITH THE FIRST MAILING BEGINNING OCTOBER 31, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
What could happen: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.
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 1993 MONTERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V143002.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; LINES; HOSE; NON-METALLIC. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT ABS BRAKES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
What could happen: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.
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 1993 MONTERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V143001.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; LINES; HOSE; NON-METALLIC. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT ABS BRAKES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (8), Steering (5), Fuel system (2), Wheels / tires (1), 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)
11/21/2006 · Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PULLEY FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS LOOSE. AS THE CONTACT ALREADY HAD THE RECALL # 00V311001, REGARDING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE REPAIRS PERFORMED ONCE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD TO BE TIGHTEN AGAIN. THE CONTACT EXPRES…
04/12/2005 · Steering
PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED FORWARD WHEN THE RIGHT WHEEL DID NOT STEER. DROVE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVEWAY. PASSENGER SIDE INNER TIE-ROD PULLED OUT OF THE TREADED TUBE. ORDERED PARTS TO REPLACE BOTH INNER AND OUTER TIE-RODS WITH CONNECTING THREADED TUBE. IT'S A GOOD THING IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED! *AK
08/25/2004 · Engine
ADDITION TO COMPLAINT 10088338. FTER HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY MY MECHANIC, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE BOLT (THE ONE LISTED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL) BACKED OUT OF THE CRANK SHAFT CAUSING THE PULLY TO WOBBLE (DISTROYING THE PULLEY IN THE PROCESS). ONCE THE BOLT WAS 3/4 OF THE WAY OUT, IT SNAPPED IN TWO.*AK
08/22/2004 · Engine
ON 03/16/01 RECALL WORK WAS DONE AT SERVICE DEALER. ON DATE OF INCIDENT, CRANK BOLT SHEERED OFF OR CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 45M MPH. *JB
12/02/2003 · Engine
ENGINE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SHOP. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE. AS A RESULT, ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK
08/08/2002 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH CRANKSHAFT BOLT SNAPPED, CAUSING MOTOR TO SHUTOFF WITH NO WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
02/06/2002 · Engine
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT CAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE CRANKSHAFT TO STRIP OUT THE GEARING. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOOSE POWER & WAS LESS RESPONSIVE ... & THE HIDEOUS SCREECHING SOUND SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ALL THE DRIVERS & PEDESTRIANS WHO WERE NEARBY AT THE INTERSECTION. REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND $2,500.00 FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT EVEN 10 YEARS OLD YET…
03/22/2001 · Engine
THE CRANKSHAFT BOLTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-311, THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM