1996 Mitsubishi Montero Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 135,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 15 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (37% of the total), followed by other or unknown (7) and brakes (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 135,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 15 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. Other or unknown 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 cooling10 37%
- Other or unknown7 26%
- Brakes4 15%
- Steering4 15%
- Equipment2 7.4%
- Body and structure2 7.4%
- Electrical system1 3.7%
- Seats1 3.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 3.7%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 1996 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that the bolts of the crank shaft pulley have fallen. She heard a strange noise while driving and all of the instrument panel lights illuminated. She also stated that the steering wheel locked up. The manufacturer advised her to call an authorized dealer. The dealer stated that no recalls for these failures were available for her vehicle. The contact researched the NHTSA website and found a recall that relates to these failures. The failure and current mileages were 146,000. Updated 01/02/08. Recall#00v311001. …”
NHTSA complaint #10200601, filed 2007-08, 146,000 milesOther or unknown: “Our century smart move infant/toddler carseat did not install securely. It wobbled & did not fit in the middle back seat correctly - it blocked our view out of the back window. We ended up exchanging it for the fisher price carseat, and like it much better. A friend of mine also returned her smartmove for the same reason.”
NHTSA complaint #704256, filed 1999-03Brakes: “When stopping the vehicle makes a very rough stop. Owner believes that he can see brake fluid on the front wheels. The rotors have been replaced twice within a two year period. The brake fluid reservoir has to be replenished every few thousand miles. Dealer not able to correct problem. Owner continues to experience brake problems.”
NHTSA complaint #830585, filed 1998-11Steering: “Nar 03/05/2003 the consumer rear door hinges had to be replaced , the tie rod broke on the truck, and the water pump froze seizing power to the timing belt.”
NHTSA complaint #10011341, filed 2003-03Mileage 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 125,000 and 146,000 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 1996 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 | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Montero 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Montero 4WD/AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $5,850 |
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 1992–1996, Mirage 1997–1999, Montero Sport 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…
- 98V205000Sep 2, 1998Unknown or otherCovers: Mitsubishi Montero 1994–1998
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with accessory cargo mats in the third-seat and cargo area. This cargo mat interferes with the latching integrity of the folding third seats.
Recall details for the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero → · 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. 15 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
| 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 1996 Mitsubishi Montero have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (37% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 7.
Has the 1996 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 1996 Mitsubishi Montero get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero (Montero, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 135,500 miles and the middle half falls between 125,000 and 146,000 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.