1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (48% of the total), followed by steering (4) and brakes (2). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 6% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling14 48%
- Steering4 14%
- Brakes2 6.9%
- Electrical system2 6.9%
- Engine2 6.9%
- Air bags1 3.5%
- Equipment1 3.5%
- Fuel system1 3.5%
- Other or unknown1 3.5%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I own a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport ls. There was a recall for a crankshaft pulley bolt, NHTSA recall id: 00v311001. I took my vehicle to the Mitsubishi dealer and they replaced the bolt. This was back in 2000. In february of 2008 I was driving, getting ready to get on the highway when I heard a grinding and then a loud noise from the engine, I lost power steering and quickly pulled over. Popped the hood of my vehicle and noticed that the crankshaft pulley had broken off. I towed it to my mechanic who stated that the crankshaft pulley bolt had broken. …”
NHTSA complaint #10226494, filed 2008-05, 130,000 milesSteering: “Vehicle lost power steering assist, and the engine overheated while driving at any speed. This was caused by the crankshaft pulley bolt shearing off. Dealer was notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10106874, filed 2005-01, 98,648 milesBrakes: “The contact owns a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Her vehicle was repaired according to recall #00v311001 affecting the engine and engine cooling:engine the mechanic tightened the crankshaft pulley bolt. After six months driving approximately 10 MPH the engine, oil, and brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering column also began to tighten up. After inspecting the vehicle she noticed that the crankshaft pulley fell out of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer since her vehicle was previously repaired per the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10215166, filed 2008-01, 149,000 milesElectrical system: “The contact owned a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The contact started the vehicle so it could warm up before driving and went back into the house. While in the house, she heard a loud boom similar to an explosion. She found the vehicle completely engulfed in flames. The police and fire departments were called to extinguish the fire and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and the insurance company towed the vehicle to the salvage yard. The side of the contact's residence sustained property damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10246235, filed 2008-10, 116,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
6% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 98,648 and 149,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montero Sport 2WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Montero Sport 2WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Montero Sport 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Montero Sport 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 00V311001Oct 2, 2000Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Mitsubishi Montero Sport 1997–1999, Montero 1992–1996, Mirage 1997–1999
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…
Recall details for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022Other or unknown, Exterior lighting. This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a…
- 10169006Nov 26, 2019Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703Jul 30, 2019Equipment. This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10130469Feb 26, 2018Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015Transmission and drivetrain, Wheels, Engine cooling…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170070Jul 29, 2015Equipment. This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015Transmission and drivetrain, Fuel system, Suspension…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170099Mar 5, 2013Equipment. This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013Wheels, Transmission and drivetrain, Steering, Electrical…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013Fuel system, Electrical system, Transmission and…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 31 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 54 | 89,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 63 | 66,825 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 97 | 116,350 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 33 | 96,750 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 35 | 151,120 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 29 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mitsubishi Montero Sport model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (48% of the total), followed by steering with 4.
Has the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (Montero Sport 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 20 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 98,648 and 149,000 miles; 6% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.