1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 35filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 151,120miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and electrical system (4). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 151,120 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 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. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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 40%
- Air bags4 11%
- Electrical system4 11%
- Steering4 11%
- Brakes3 8.6%
- Equipment1 2.9%
- Fuel system1 2.9%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I was driving my 1998 Montero Sport and lost power steering in the middle of a major highway. My belts broke which I had to get a wrecker to tow my vehicle get it to a mechanic and he calls back with you have major problems. The reason the belts jumped off was the crank shaft pulley came loose and screwed the harmonic balance and other things up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10187030, filed 2007-04, 100,110 milesAir bags: “While traveling on route 632, another vehicle failed to yield the right of way, entered and stopped in the intersection of route 632 & route 645 in new jersey; causing my SUV to broad sided their pick-up truck. Luckily there were no fatalities. However, neither the Mitsubishi driver or passenger side air bags deployed upon impact.”
NHTSA complaint #10409789, filed 2011-06, 309,000 milesElectrical system: “While traveling on the new jersey turnpike, I-78, and other highways, the Mitsubishi alternator intermittently failed, causing loss of power steering and other electrically control functions. What makes this notably is that it was the 5th alternator that failed and had to be replaced within 1-1/2 years. Each time while driving on highways between 55 and 65 MPH the alternator failed and sudden loss of vehicle steering control and operation, occurred with narrow escapes from serious accidents while navigating to safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10409788, filed 2011-06, 307,000 milesSteering: “During my drive to work at esm marketing, I was driving on i95 in broward county florida, and got off on cypress creek road and I was attempting to make a left hand turn and when I turned my steering wheel, the wheels did not move. The front end of the steering left me unble to control or manipulate my vehicle. I landed on a median strip, magically back out of the median and made my way to a shell gas station. I had the gentlemen look at the car and he stated to me that you must have a guardian angel cause I don't know how you suvived the stop . …”
NHTSA complaint #10092979, filed 2004-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 112,000 and 188,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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 1998 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, Exterior lighting, Engine…. 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, 2015Suspension, Fuel system, Transmission and drivetrain…. 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, 2013Electrical system, Steering, Transmission and drivetrain…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013Transmission and drivetrain, Back-over prevention (rear…. 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 1998 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?
The EPA rates the 1998 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 151,120 miles and the middle half falls between 112,000 and 188,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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.