1998 Mitsubishi Montero: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero: 4 recalls, 74 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #98V205000 · 1998 · 60,243 vehicles
What's wrong: This cargo mat interferes with the latching integrity of the folding third seats.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, an occupant of the third seat May not be properly restrained and could be ejected from the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the third-seat latch and striker. A rectangle will be removed from the cargo mat around each striker to provide adequate striker clearance and proper latching.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #98V220000 · 1998 · 61,800 vehicles
What's wrong: The front brake lines can develop pin holes due to chaffing against the edge of the pass-through hole in the inner fender.
Why it matters: Brake fluid can leak resulting in deteriorated braking performance and illumination of the brake indicator lamp.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake lines for signs of wear and routing. If the lines are not correctly centered in the pass-through hole, the lines will be repositioned by bending slightly to correct. If there is evidence of brake line wear, the brake line will be replaced.
Equipment Vehicle recall #04V428000 · 2004 · 100,432 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 the size requirements of the standard.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is…
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V035000 · 2020 · 18,123 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 manufacturing issue, the nadi inflators May absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag May not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (18): the most common themes are noise or vibration (11), steering problems (6).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (9): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3).
- Engine & cooling (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
- Airbags (6): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
The 1998 Mitsubishi Montero has 74 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 17 Montero model years for complaints (1.6× the average Montero year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 89,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (63 complaints, 2 recalls), 1999 (40 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (18), brakes (hydraulic) (9), engine & cooling (9).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.