1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 96,750miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (18% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and equipment (5). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,750 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns 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. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 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 cooling6 18%
- Brakes5 15%
- Equipment5 15%
- Suspension5 15%
- Steering3 9.1%
- Body and structure3 9.1%
- Tires3 9.1%
- Fuel system2 6.1%
- Air bags1 3.0%
Also reported: Electrical system (1), Engine (1), Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “On sat. 2/6/2010 while driving, I experienced loss of steering which scared me for a moment. After pulling over, I investigated what caused the problem, and found that my harmonic balancer had come loose. I got my vehicle back to the house, and parked it.”
NHTSA complaint #10307719, filed 2010-02, 180,291 milesBrakes: “Consumer was involved in an accident because brakes failed to stop vehicle, resulting in an accident. Consumer attempted to stop, there was no pressure behind brake pedal. Attempted to pump brakes ,and that slowed vehicle down, but not in time to prevent an accident. Consumer rear ended another vehicle at approximately 10-15 MPH. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #883299, filed 2001-03Equipment: “1999 Montero Sport. The air conditioner A/C belt went out 3 times last summer and now, its summer again in az, and there goes the A/C again! It has not been a year since the last A/C repair! Did I fail to mention the transmission had to be completely rebuilt before 80,000 miles?.”
NHTSA complaint #10029106, filed 2003-07Suspension: “The vehicle constanlty pulls to the right while driving, noises can be heard when braking and when accelerating and there is vibration in the steering wheel, all four tires have been repalced but the problems still exist, the dealer has been unable to identify the problem. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #560063, filed 2001-02Mileage when problems were reported
10% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 86,000 and 143,000 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 1999 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 | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Montero Sport 2WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Montero Sport 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| 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 |
| Montero Sport 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
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
- 01V027000Feb 5, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mitsubishi Montero Sport 1999–2001
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5l engines. These vehicles do not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 106, "brake hoses." these vehicles are equipped with noncompliant brake vacuum hoses.
- 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…
- 99V041000Mar 4, 1999Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Mitsubishi Montero Sport 1999
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive and automatic transmissions. Automatic transmission fluid could be vented onto the hot exhaust system as a result of unanticipated heat generation in the transmission.
Recall details for the 1999 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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (18% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.
Has the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (Montero Sport 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,750 miles and the middle half falls between 86,000 and 143,000 miles; 10% 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.