1989 Mitsubishi Montero Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 194,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 2.6L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero. The part named most often is seat belts, with 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by steering (2) and air bags (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 194,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Seat belts2 20%
- Steering2 20%
- Air bags1 10%
- Engine cooling1 10%
- Other or unknown1 10%
- Suspension1 10%
- Tires1 10%
Example complaints
Air bags: “The horn was inoperative. The consumer had to disconnect the horn connector to stop the horn from operating. The dealer was notified. The dealer informed the consumer that problem was not covered under a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10099055, filed 2004-11, 194,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 194,000 and 194,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Mitsubishi Montero 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 4WD/AWD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Montero 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 16 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Montero 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
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
- 95V103004May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Mitsubishi Montero 1986–1991, Mighty MAX 1986–1991, Mirage 1986–1991 +7 more
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- 89V030000Mar 3, 1989Vehicle speed controlCovers: Mitsubishi Montero 1989
The engines are subject to throttle valve icing under certain conditions.
Recall details for the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE89131FUEL HOSEClosed · Jun 19, 1989
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. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 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.
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013Body and structure. This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Montero
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 125,000 | 3 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 39 | 81,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 111 | 84,500 | 3 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 166 | 107,371 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 51 | 109,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 40 | 84,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 74 | 89,500 | 4 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 63 | 110,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 27 | 135,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 86 | 147,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 31 | 185,000 | 5 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 14 | 150,000 | 3 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 12 | 168,500 | 3 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 18 | 133,345 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 23 | 228,859 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 10 | 194,000 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Mitsubishi Montero model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by steering with 2.
Has the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero (Montero, 2.6L 4-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Mitsubishi Montero reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 194,000 miles and the middle half falls between 194,000 and 194,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated 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.