Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, most recently filed October 2000. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V311001 Filed Oct 2, 2000

MITSUBISHI AMERICA/CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; MONTERO SPORT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES; AND MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence
THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. ON THE MONTERO MODELS, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE BOLT IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
Repair progress not yet reported210,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V311001

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (35)

35 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

5involved a crash
1involved a fire
4injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 35.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1998 compares with other Montero Sport years

Best and worst Montero Sport years →
199719981999200020012002200320042009
This year (1998)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined

21
mpg combined
20
city
23
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,200
CO₂ tailpipe
423 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year

Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive20 / 23 / 21$3,200423
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 20 / 18$3,700494
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 19 / 17$3,950523
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17$3,950523

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1998 Montero Sport for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Montero Sport years

Where to next

1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport FAQ

How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 00V311001 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?

Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (14), Air bags (4), Electrical system (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 23 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1998 Montero Sport compare with other years?

Among the 1997–2009 Mitsubishi Montero Sport model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2000 the most (97). The 1998 drew 35. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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