AI Damage1996 Mitsubishi Montero: common problems
Owners of the 1996 Mitsubishi Montero filed 27 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 27
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 37% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 15% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 7% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 7 Child seat 4% of all complaints
- 8 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 10 complaints (37% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (15% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (15% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (15% of all).
- Equipment: 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.
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 27 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 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 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.
She also stated that the steering wheel locked up. The manufacturer advised her to call an authorized dealer. The dealer stated that no recalls for these failures were available for her vehicle. The contact researched the nhtsa website and found a recall that relates to these failures.
Nar 03/05/2003 the consumer rear door hinges had to be replaced , the tie rod broke on the truck, and the water pump froze seizing power to the timing belt.
While driving between 40-45 mph metal that kept the driver side seat back up right broke on the right side. When this occurred driver's side seat back declined backwards on the right side. This reduced the driver's visibility. Driver had to pull off the road. The entire seat needed to be replaced.
While driving the engine and battery lights had come on, the consumer was unable to steer the vehicle (loss of power). The engine was still running, but vehicle would not move. Contacted dealer. The crankshaft pulley bolt had broken. There is a recall, 00v311001, but this vehicle is not included due to vin.
I lost control of the vehicle.I could have been badly injured,or killed.iwas very lucky. (tiresize: 235-75r15)
Engine stalled at stop light. Mechanic found a butterfly screw on the plenum manifold came off and fell into engine, part no md 3359040, caused $ 4000 damage. Dealer had to tighten and use lock tight screws to prevent this from happening again.
Back door hinges have rusted. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and will replace hinges.
Abs braking system was not operable and brake light came on dashboard. Brakes made grinding and streaking noises. Also, vehicle was taken to the dealership twice and rotors were replaced.
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 7,189 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montero has 36 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 27, below 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.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
- Montero 19864 sources
- Montero 19873 sources
- Montero 198910 sources
- Montero 199023 sources
- Montero 199118 sources
- Montero 199212 sources
- Montero 199314 sources
- Montero 199431 sources
- Montero 199586 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 1996 Mitsubishi Montero?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 27. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (15%), steering or power steering problems (11%), airbag warning light (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1996 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 1996 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 1996 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.