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1998 Mitsubishi Montero 4dr 4WD SUV

The 1998 Mitsubishi Montero 4dr 4WD SUV is a 200-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a 4-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $33,985 MSRP and is rated at 16 mpg combined.

It makes 200 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 228 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway (16 mpg combined).

The Montero measures 186.6 inches long on a 107.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,431 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$33,985 ($67,762 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.5L SOHC 24-valve V6
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower200 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque228 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeFuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypePart-time 4WD with manual hi-lo transfer case
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City14 MPG
Highway18 MPG
Combined16 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular
Tank Capacity24 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length186.6 in
Width69.9 in
Height74.8 in
Wheelbase107.3 in
Curb Weight4,431 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi MONTERO. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jan 23, 2020 · 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. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-001.

NHTSA campaign 20V035000

Sep 1, 2004 · 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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE 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. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

NHTSA campaign 04V428000

Sep 9, 1998 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINES CAN DEVELOP PIN HOLES DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE IN THE INNER FENDER.

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAK RESULTING IN DETERIORATED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE INDICATOR LAMP.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ROUTING. IF THE LINES ARE NOT CORRECTLY CENTERED IN THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE, THE LINES WILL BE REPOSITIONED BY BENDING SLIGHTLY TO CORRECT. IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF BRAKE LINE WEAR, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

NHTSA campaign 98V220000

Sep 2, 1998 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACCESSORY CARGO MATS IN THE THIRD-SEAT AND CARGO AREA. THIS CARGO MAT INTERFERES WITH THE LATCHING INTEGRITY OF THE FOLDING THIRD SEATS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT OF THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THIRD-SEAT LATCH AND STRIKER. A RECTANGLE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CARGO MAT AROUND EACH STRIKER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STRIKER CLEARANCE AND PROPER LATCHING.

NHTSA campaign 98V205000

74 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi MONTERO

Owner Complaints

74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi MONTERO (9 mention a crash, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Suspension17
Service Brakes10
Engine And Engine Cooling9
Hydraulic9
Air Bags6
Unknown Or Other5
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 6, 2021 · Air Bags, Unknown Or Other
“AT THE MOMENT THE ONLY SITUATION THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THE MITSUBISHI AIRBAG RECALL IS THAT WHEN I CALL THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS, THAT SUPPOSEDLY THE…”
Oct 5, 2020 · Air Bags
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V035000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS…”
Aug 22, 2020 · Engine
“THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHSIDE MITSUBISHI IN ORLANDO AND BECAUSE A MECHANIC NAMED BOB WHO'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS SAYS IT'S THE ORIGINAL BUT IT'S NOT THE ORIGINAL BOLT THEY DON'T WANT TO…”
Mar 26, 2020 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR, STRONGER WHEN I OPEN THE BACK REAR LUGGAGE AREA AND REAR OF MONTERO (CLOSEST TO THE GAS FUEL TANK UNDERNEATH). I DO NOT SEE ANY ACTIVE…”
Jun 17, 2008 · Vehicle Speed Control
“DRIVING TO STORE I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP SIGN AND CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER TAKING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. TRIED TO STOMP ON THROTTLE TO GET IT UNSTUCK, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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