1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: common problems and reliability

The 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has 115 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and suspension. Owners most often flag underpowered engine / sluggish acceleration (noted on 2023, 2025 models) – described as "slow af," with a delay in power delivery ("bubwelo") making overtaking difficult. frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 1998 model year

115
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
15
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine and engine cooling
24
suspension
19
service brakes
12
air bags
11
hydraulic
11

Recalls affecting the 1998 Montero Sport

engine and engine cooling:engine

Campaign 00V311001

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 …

equipment:other:labels

Campaign 04V428000

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 …

unknown or other

Campaign 98V205000

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.

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 98V220000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is generally positive, with a strong reputation for reliability, value, and off-road capability, particularly for older generations (pre-2010). Long-term owners of models from the late 1990s to mid-2000s frequently praise their durability, with many

  • Underpowered engine / sluggish acceleration (noted on 2023, 2025 models) – described as "slow af," with a delay in power delivery ("bubwelo") making overtaking difficult. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Excessive body roll and poor high-speed cornering (noted on 2023, 2016 models) – soft suspension leads to significant lean in corners. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Outdated/unrefined infotainment system (noted on 2025 models) – low-resolution screen, system slow to boot after being in hot sun, wired connection only, sensitive USB ports causing disconnections. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Transmission concerns – 8-speed automatic on newer models described as jerky (especially 1st to 2nd gear) and prone to gear hunting. Older automatic transmissions (e.g., 1999) can exhibit a "punch" or clunk when shifting from Neutral to Drive/Reverse, potentially due to worn mounts. Transmission overheating on inclines reported on a 2013 model. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Fuel economy – real-world consumption is high, particularly in city driving (e.g., 8-9 km/L or ~17 L/100km reported). Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Montero Sport.

Typical used price

Used Montero Sport listings typically run $2,700–$6,499 across 1998 to 2004 model years.

Other Montero Sport model years

2000 Montero Sport1999 Montero Sport1996 Montero Sport
Full Mitsubishi Montero Sport owner reportCompare against another car