1993 Mitsubishi Montero: common problems

Owners of the 1993 Mitsubishi Montero filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 14

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 57% of all complaints
2 Steering 36% of all complaints
3 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
4 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
5 Tires 7% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (57% of all).
Steering: 5 complaints (36% of all).
Fuel system: 2 complaints (14% of all).
Electrical system: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Tires: 1 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.

3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

steering or power steering problems2 · 14%
loss of power / limp mode1 · 7%
rust, corrosion1 · 7%
stalls while driving1 · 7%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine and cooling	8	0	0
Steering	5	0	0
Fuel system	2	0	0
Electrical system	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.

Dt*: the contact stated while parked with the engine idling, it was noticed that the pulley for the power steering was loose. As the contact already had the recall # 00v311001, regarding engine and engine cooling:engine repairs performed once, the vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the crankshaft had…
Engine and cooling · 2006-11-21 · NHTSA complaint #10174011
Pulled out of driveway and proceeded forward when the right wheel did not steer. Drove vehicle back into driveway. Passenger side inner tie-rod pulled out of the treaded tube. Ordered parts to replace both inner and outer tie-rods with connecting threaded tube. It's a good thing it didn't happen at highway speed!
Steering · 2005-04-12 · NHTSA complaint #10116812
Engine stalled in the middle of an intersection while driving at 55 mph. Vehicle was towed to independent shop. Technician stated that bolt securing the crankshaft pulley broke. As a result, engine was overhauled at owner's expense.
Engine and cooling · 2003-12-02 · NHTSA complaint #10049848
The crankshaft bolts failed while driving causing a sudden loss of power steering prior to recall notice 00v-311, the consumer request reimbursement. Nlm
Engine and cooling · 2001-05-15 · NHTSA complaint #560490
While driving out of parking lot and was making a left turn, steering column dropped down. It was an adjusted steering column. Tried to readjust it, which was not a problem. Drove vehicle home and parked it. Checked under dash near column and noticed a bolt had fallen out, and needed to be replaced.
Steering · 2001-01-04 · NHTSA complaint #877401
On mitsubishi, montero 1993, with b.f.goodrich ta 30 x 9.5 tires, consumer noticed a crack in the right front tire. Consumer felt tread may have been separating.
Tires · 2000-08-22 · NHTSA complaint #868329
The corrosion were recently discovered. Just below the rightside of the main frame by the front right door. The paint bloated out bulging, but intact. As the result of the rust crippling underneath. Wherein there is no usual dings nor scratches to the surface.
Steering · 1999-09-16 · NHTSA complaint #711458
Electrical short, cauisng the wiring to to melt causing the vehicle to cut off.
Fuel system · 1996-08-12 · NHTSA complaint #800761

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19951
19961
19991
20002
20012
20022
20031
20042
20051
20061

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 9,551 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Montero has 36 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 14, 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.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Mitsubishi Montero?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, fuel system. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (14%), loss of power / limp mode (7%), rust, corrosion (7%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 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 1993 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 1993 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.