1999 Mitsubishi Montero Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero. The part named most often is suspension, with 11 complaints (28% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and air bags (5). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 5 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.
- Suspension11 28%
- Air bags5 13%
- Brakes4 10%
- Engine cooling4 10%
- Other or unknown3 7.5%
- Electrical system2 5.0%
- Steering2 5.0%
- Equipment1 2.5%
- Exterior lighting1 2.5%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “When this problem was first reported in may 1999, I was told I will experience vibrations in this type of vehicle (SUV). The problem has persistently gotten worse. I was then told it was the tires and a balance would correct the vibrations. I have had the wheels balance twice and the vibrations still exist. Now I'm being told the chasis bearing have sagged.. Should this type of defect be happening on a 5 month old vehicle?”
NHTSA complaint #713940, filed 1999-10Transmission and drivetrain: “I have gone from there is nothing wrong w/ the vehicle to having it at the dealership 4 different times. I hate this vehicle. No safety defect (s) mentioned in summary.”
NHTSA complaint #716549, filed 1999-12Air bags: “In the dealer , I makes the appointmemt to 7am, and the dealer nimay Mitsubishi, ave. Kennedy 1011 san juan, pr no work with the car at the 200pm. No work with the hours appoinment. The work is horrible”
NHTSA complaint #11405682, filed 2021-03Brakes: “My brakes began squealing and grinding at approx 12,500 miles, I took in to the dealer and was told I needed a complete front brake job, because the back brakes were not gripping due to build up your back brakes are practically new but need maintenance. After paying $336.00 none of it covered under warranty, 2 weeks later brakes began to grind and squeal again. I was told that it was caused by bad brake pads . 3 weeks have since passed and I am in the process of trying to get back in the dealer because the brakes are again grinding and sqealing. …”
NHTSA complaint #711768, filed 1999-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 174,598 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 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 | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| 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 | 14 | 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
- 20V035000Jan 23, 2020Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Mitsubishi Montero 1998–2000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a…
- 04V428000Sep 1, 2004Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Mitsubishi Montero 1998–2004, Eclipse 1998–2005, Diamante 1998–2004 +9 more
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet…
Recall details for the 1999 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. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10238900Jun 23, 2023Air bags. This is a revised Safety Recall bulletin sent to dealers informing them of new Takata inflator return procedures.
- 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.
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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 11 complaints (28% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.
Has the 1999 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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero (Montero, 3.0L 6-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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 174,598 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.