AI Damage1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 29
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 48% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 3% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 14 complaints (48% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (7% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (7% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While waiting for the light to change at zero speed, I was struck in the rear by a conversion van going approximately 40 mph. Primary impact caused the back of the driver's seat to collapse. The car was totaled and I as the driver experienced severe lower and upper spine injuries. Dt
Airbag failed to deploy on front impact of approx. 30 mph sustaining $10k in damage.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi montero sport. While driving between 55 and 65 mph, the front end of the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ball joints, wheel bearings, transmission mount, universal bolt, and tires needed to be replaced.
Vehicle lost power steering and stalled. Crankshaft pulley bolt fell out and harmonic balancer fell off.causing loss of control and life threatening situation.
Common problem with these, crank shaft pulley bolt defective should have recalled all of them.
Crankshaft pulley bolt came loose causing loss of steering. Had to steer very hard manually to park car. Dangerous situation.
Steering terminal came off making the vehicle go in danger.
She found the vehicle completely engulfed in flames. The police and fire departments were called to extinguish the fire and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and the insurance company towed the vehicle to the salvage yard. The side of the contact's residence sustained property damage.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,958 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montero Sport has 35 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 29, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, electrical system. Total complaints: 29. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (17%), loss of power / limp mode (14%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.