Most common 1999 Mitsubishi Montero problems
Share of the 40 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Montero complaints by model year
Best Montero years: 2004, 1996, 2003. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 1998, 1995. Compare all years →
1999 Mitsubishi Montero recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.
What 1999 Mitsubishi Montero owners say
Suspension
Highw speed of40mph vehicle shifted with heavy wheel vibration vehicle was unstabled and reported this complaint to the factory. When makin a turn if there was a crack or pot hole in the street the vehicle had a tendency to shift off the wheels leaning to left. If it rains the vehicle would slide to the left.
Problems with tires wearing bad chop wearing on outside and in the middle, front end slanted inward I believe causing tires to wear badly also bad vibration coming from front end as well taken to dealer several times still not corrected they say tires are bad I replaced tires at 18,700 miles still doing same thing noththing has changed car is still at dealer for repair. Automatic transmission at a cold start seems like it does not to go has trouble shifting and very high rpms at 35 MPH taken to drealer several times for service on this they say it is normal for the Montero sport. Front end feels lo0se when driving on rough terrain feels like bottom is going to fall out. Sometimes the brakes feel like they don't want to work when applied quikly.( dot number: tire size: p265/70r15 )
Transmission & drivetrain
Problems with tires wearing bad chop wearing on outside and in the middle, front end slanted inward I believe causing tires to wear badly also bad vibration coming from front end as well taken to dealer several times still not corrected they say tires are bad I replaced tires at 18,700 miles still doing same thing noththing has changed car is still at dealer for repair. Automatic transmission at a cold start seems like it does not to go has trouble shifting and very high rpms at 35 MPH taken to drealer several times for service on this they say it is normal for the Montero sport. Front end feels lo0se when driving on rough terrain feels like bottom is going to fall out. Sometimes the brakes feel like they don't want to work when applied quikly.( dot number: tire size: p265/70r15 )
Three seperate incidents of my transmission failing.......sand and other debris is getting pushed up into the hydrolics and breaking seals, tearing up transmission, as I understood......Mitsubishi waranteed the first two cases, but not the third.......please investigate this, for I was fooled into buying an "off-road" vehichle but instead recieved a lemon
Air bags
Tl* Takata recall. The contact called on behalf of her mother, the driver of a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that the driver crashed into a mountain at a unknown speed and the air bags failed to deploy. As a result, the driver passed away upon impact. A police report was filed. The contact stated the police deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated she received NHTSA campaign number: 20V035000 (air bags) 3 years after the failure was experienced. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
It has been almost a year since this recall was issued and still there is no remedy. I feel that this is very unreasonable considering the defective airbag could cause serious injury or even death as stated in the recall notice. Please pursue this and help us come to a solution for this as quickly as possible.
1999 Mitsubishi Montero engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero a good car?
Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Montero rates average: 39% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Montero at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero?
The suspension — 11 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (8) and air bags (5).
How many recalls does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero, the most recent from January 23, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Montero?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 1996 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 1998 and 1995. See the full Mitsubishi Montero years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Mitsubishi Montero problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 88,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.