AI Damage1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 33
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 18% of all complaints
- 2 Equipment 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 15% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 9% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 5 complaints (15% of all).
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (15% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 5 complaints (15% 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
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 33 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 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 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.
The road conditions were dry, the consumer was not in a seat belt, the air bags did in fact deploy, but the consumer was shifted to the passenger's seat due to the impact and the engine started to smoke. The consumer stated that he/she did not go over the speed limit and was driving properly.
While driving 45-55 mph vehicle stalled, consumer hit another vehicle.
Consumer was involved in an accident because brakes failed to stop vehicle, resulting in an accident. Consumer attempted to stop, there was no pressure behind brake pedal. Attempted to pump brakes ,and that slowed vehicle down, but not in time to prevent an accident.
Consumer drove at approximately 40 mph and suddenly slid on ice hitting a vehicle with front end,and causing about $4100 worth of damage. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy, causing minor injuries.
Each time this happened, the symptoms were the same, the car starts making rattling noises then will not steer, then is undriveable. These are the exact symptoms described in the recall as "worst case".
Tires purchase new, maintained well with approx 25k miles of wear. With no notice, had a tread separation on front right tire. Took to dealer and it was replaced with only a partial credit for warranty. Other tires were inspected and told it was a fluke.
2/6/2010 while driving, I experienced loss of steering which scared me for a moment. After pulling over, I investigated what caused the problem, and found that my harmonic balancer had come loose. I got my vehicle back to the house, and parked it.
Transmission warning light came on to indicate overheat or possible transmission failure. I had to pull off the highway to the breakdown lane (safety concern) to allow trans to cool down.
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 6,523 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montero Sport has 35 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 33, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, equipment, powertrain. Total complaints: 33. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (15%), vibration (15%), smoke, burning smell, fire (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 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 1999 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 1999 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.