1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 40%of 35 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 180,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, 40% of the 35 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 180,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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 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 miles“I was driving along I-17 near phoenix, az merging onto I-10 west - when all of the sudden I couldn't steer the vehicle. All while going 65 MPH. It took every bit of my strength to maneuver the vehicle safely off the highway to avoid an accident. I had it towed to mark Mitsubishi in avondale, az for repairs. After several days the repairs were done. The damage was due to the bolt - crank shaft pulley - I paid nearly $600 for repairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10398920, filed 2011-04, 198,500 miles“I bought a 1998 mitsubitshi Montero Sport ls approx. 9 months ago and while it ran great about a month ago I started noticing when I would go to start it up it would act like the battery was going dead. So I replaced the battery. The problem still occurred. Then about 4 days after that out of no where the engine would start squealing. But that would only last for about 30 seconds. And stop until the turn would be off long enough for the engine to get cold. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260427, filed 2009-03, 183,114 miles“While driving 70 MPH harmonic balance assembly detached from the vehicle. An independent mechanic determined that the crank shaft pulley bolt broke which caused the failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10048770, filed 2003-11, 188,000 miles“The warning concerning the bolt securing the crankshaft pulley is incorrect. The bolt on my vehicle was tightened to spec on three different occations. Failure continued. There is additional problems with the alignment of the crankshaft. If safety is your true concern, this problem should be studied further. I know of 3 other vehicles in this small town that have had this problem.thi”
NHTSA complaint #738289, filed 2000-12Related 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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