AI Damage1992 Mitsubishi Montero: common problems
Owners of the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 42% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 8% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (50% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (42% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 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 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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 driving and putting on brakes pedal went to the floor. Consumer saw a school bus and swerved and hit another vehicle. Car was still going and it would not stop.
Mitsubishi montero 1992. Nhtsa campaign id:00v311001 and 96v143002. Dealership claims that the recall is void because the bolt broke and they assume that it broke not because of recalled part but improper repair.
This vehicle is under recall, detailed below: nhtsa campaign id number : 00v311001 exactly what is stated in the recall, happened to my vehicle. Except when it happened, instead of completely falling out, when the crankshaft pulley bolt became loose it came partly out and broke off leaving half of the bolt seized…
Engine failure due to defective engine module, replacing second module. Dealer notified. Spark plugs were not operative due to ecm failure. The dealer installed the repaired ecm.
Driving on the road approx 20-25mph and approaching a stop light hit the brakes, went straight to the floor, swerved to avoid hitting a school bus pump. Brake didn't slow the vehicle down. Vehicle continued down the road, turned off into alley. And threw it in park in order to stop.
Abs warning light remains illuminated, indicating malfunction within the system. Cause unknown. Also replaced dome lights, and driver's side door switch jams.
Wheel rusting around the outer rim on all four wheels. Wheels coated with white paint. Tt
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 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montero has 36 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 12, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
- Montero 19864 sources
- Montero 19873 sources
- Montero 198910 sources
- Montero 199023 sources
- Montero 199118 sources
- Montero 199314 sources
- Montero 199431 sources
- Montero 199586 sources
- Montero 199627 sources
- Montero 199763 sources
- Montero 199874 sources
- Montero 199940 sources
- Montero 200051 sources
- Montero 2001166 sources
- Montero 2002111 sources
- Montero 200339 sources
- Montero 20045 sources
- Montero 20064 sources
- Montero 99993 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (8%), rust, corrosion (8%), warning lights, check engine (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 Mitsubishi Montero?
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 1992 Mitsubishi Montero 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 1992 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.