1997 Mitsubishi Montero Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 27%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 156,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero, 27% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 156,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1997 mitsubish Montero 3.5 liter automatic- crank shaft bolt has come out on 5 separate occasions and has cost over $3000 to have it replaced. The inside of the crankshaft where the bolt goes is completely stripped to the point I now have to replace the engine. This is not an isolated issue as this appears to be an inherent problem with all years of monteros. There should be a recall for this and Mitsubishi should cover the cost for there negligence.”
NHTSA complaint #10396534, filed 2011-04, 270,000 miles“1997 Mitsubishi Montero crankshaft pulley came loose three times which created no power steering and no charging of the battery purchased new crankshaft pulley but did not help the third time installed a lock washer on the bolt and re torqued to spec last week.”
NHTSA complaint #10320369, filed 2010-03, 156,000 miles“Started car, noticed 3 random lights illuminated on instrument cluster. Then power steering was intermittent. Then A/C went out and would not cool down. Then power steering failed completely. Car was driven to repair shop nearby, since no local Mitsubishi dealer. Mechanic found crankshaft bolt broken that LED to power steering and A/C pulley not working. Incident LED to near loss of control during turning , as power steering would kick in at times during cornering and lead to oversteer. Had to change crankshaft bolt, harmonic balancer, timing belt gear, and something else.”
NHTSA complaint #10196657, filed 2007-07, 134,990 miles“My SUV on numerous occasions has stalled when vehicle comes to stop. On one occasion, my wife was accelerating from a standstill-when the vehicle stalled. On each occasion, we were able to restart the vehicle without problems. However, with the vehicle stalling upon accelerating from standstill in the middle of an intersection could prove to be very dangeroul!!!!!!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #712049, filed 1999-09“This car has been in the shop 17 times within a year. It was bought brand new. The major problems we have with it are the wheen bearing, airconditioning and the engine shutting down with no warning. When we take it in either they say they cant duplicate the problem. With the wheel bearing, they fixed it the first time. It started to leak again and they said that it wasnt the wheel bearing.”
NHTSA complaint #700095, filed 1998-10Related 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
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 | 8% |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% |
| 2001 | 21 | 13% |
| 2000 | 5 | 10% |
| 1999 | 4 | 10% |
| 1998 | 9 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 27% |
| 1996 | 10 | 37% |
| 1995 | 34 | 40% |
| 1994 | 13 | 42% |
| 1993 | 8 | 57% |
| 1992 | 6 | 50% |
| 1991 | 7 | 39% |
| 1990 | 7 | 30% |
| 1989 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero
14 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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