1990 Mitsubishi Montero Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 228,859miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 16 mpgcombined, 2.6L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seat belts (6) and brakes (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 228,859 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign 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.
- Engine cooling7 30%
- Seat belts6 26%
- Brakes2 8.7%
- Vehicle speed control2 8.7%
- Fuel system1 4.3%
- Steering1 4.3%
- Tires1 4.3%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Consumer called complaining about having problem with the engine bolt that broke while driving the vehicle at 25 MPH. Ts there was a failure in the vibration damper bolt which caused the pulley to fall off.”
NHTSA complaint #8023736, filed 2002-12, 263,000 milesSeat belts: “The consumer is experiencing problems with the seat restraint belt in the middle rear seat. The restraint buckle is too loose and the belt is not long enough to restrain child safety seats. Manufacturer has been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #829335, filed 1998-10Brakes: “Consumer had found a design fraud on vehicle. Had taken it to a technician for check up. Found rear brake hose will pull when vehicle is lifted. Then when is put back on ground could have brake failure due to extension on brake hose.”
NHTSA complaint #882127, filed 2001-03Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving, at approximately 25mph, shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, stick which connects with clutch plate below rubber gaurd broke off between 2nd and 3rd gear, clutch never engaged in 3rd gear, dealer replaced clutch, which sticks intermittently between 1st and 2nd gear only.”
NHTSA complaint #811825, filed 1997-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 194,718 and 263,000 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 1990 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 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Montero 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 17 | 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.
Recall details for the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE90034Steering coupling boltClosed · Jan 22, 1990
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 1990 Mitsubishi Montero have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero 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 1990 Mitsubishi Montero get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero (Montero, 2.6L 4-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 17 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 1990 Mitsubishi Montero reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 228,859 miles and the middle half falls between 194,718 and 263,000 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 30, 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.