1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 48%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, 48% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Recall campaign 00v311001 concerning crankshaft pulley bolt. While driving 65 MPH the vehicle lost power and control. Consumer was able to pull the vehicle off the main road. Then, tow truck was called, and the vehicle was towed to consumer's home. The tow truck driver informed the consumer that the crankshaft pulley bolt broke. Consumer stated this was the second time that crankshaft pulley bolt needed to be replaced within a year after recall repairs were done.”
NHTSA complaint #10112899, filed 2005-02, 120,000 miles“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 miles“Dt: the contact stated the crank shaft pulley bolt broke on 10-24-05. She had recall 00v311000 repair work done in october -2002. The contact wanted to file a complaint because she was still having problems with the crank shaft. She felt this should have been fixed properly the first time. She spoke to the dealer and to Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi told her to contact the dealer and it may or may not be covered. She contacted the dealer, and he told her that at the time of the recall they tightened the bolt, as stated in the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140768, filed 2005-10, 92,000 miles“Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. In 6-03 he brought the car I to dealer because the timing belt came off. The repair work cost $463.06. On 7-26-03 the contact brought it back because the timing belt came off again. He found there was recall 00v311001 and the dealer fixed it at no cost last week on 9-29--0) the timing belt came off again. He had the vehicle towed, and the mechanic could see the bolt sticking out. Talked to the dealer, and the dealer originally said they would repair it because it had a lifetime warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138715, filed 2005-10, 95,812 milesRelated recalls
- 00V311001Oct 2, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles: mirage model vehicles equipped with 1.5l engines; montero sport models equipped with 3.0l engines; and montero models…Covers: Mitsubishi Montero Sport 1997–1999, Montero 1992–1996, Mirage 1997–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology