AI Damage1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 35
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 40% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 3% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 14 complaints (40% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 4 complaints (11% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (6% 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-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 35 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 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 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 traveling on route 632, another vehicle failed to yield the right of way, entered and stopped in the intersection of route 632 & route 645 in new jersey; causing my suv to broad sided their pick-up truck. Luckily there were no fatalities.
The tire purchased (bf goodrich radial long trail t/a 265 70r) turned out to be defective with the tread separating from the rest of the tire, causing my vehicle to flip over causing $9000 in damages to my vehicle. We were very fortunate that no one got hurt or killed.
When impacting, the air bags did not deploy. After investigation it was determined that the vehicle was involved in an prior accident and had no air bags.
During my drive to work at esm marketing, I was driving on i95 in broward county florida, and got off on cypress creek road and I was attempting to make a left hand turn and when I turned my steering wheel, the wheels did not move. The front end of the steering left me unble to control or manipulate my vehicle.
On Tuesday August 31st I pulled up to Alexandra tire shop to get a tire. I got out of the truck to inquire if the tire that I needed was available. The mechanic informed me that they had the tire I needed. My wife sat in the car on the passenger side as I inquired with the mechanic.
I turned my ac on and smelled something burning and my car battery light and brake light as well as my at light came on and then my radio, ac,dome light and moon roof wont close I took my car to the dealer and they wanted 400$ just to diagnose the problem and that doesn't include fixing it I took it to pepboys and…
While traveling on the new jersey turnpike, I-78, and other highways, the mitsubishi alternator intermittently failed, causing loss of power steering and other electrically control functions. What makes this notably is that it was the 5th alternator that failed and had to be replaced within 1-1/2 years.
While driving at 60 mph, the contact had trouble turning to the right and noticed vibrations in the steering wheel. The contact pulled over and noticed that the driving belts were dislodged and the crankshaft bolt was hanging off the vehicle. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint.
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 6,335 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montero Sport has 35 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 35, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 35. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (11%), steering or power steering problems (9%), knocking, grinding or other noise (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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.