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1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport engine problems

16 complaints (55% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 125,200.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
55%
typical mileage
125,200
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Engine
    4
  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    3
  • Engine: gasoline
    2
  • Exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mitsubishi Montero Sport engine problems in other years

19971998199920002001200220032004

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Loss of power 5

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported October 2, 2000 · 210,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 00V311001 · Recall details

What 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 15, 2015 · Engine · 250,639 miles · NY

Vehicle lost power steering and stalled. Crankshaft pulley bolt fell out and harmonic balancer fell off.causing loss of control and life threatening situation.

Filed Mar 13, 2015 · Engine · 167,000 miles · IA

Common problem with these, crank shaft pulley bolt defective should have recalled all of them.

Filed Aug 13, 2008 · Engine · 126,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact stated that the nut and bolt pulled out from the crankshaft pulley. While attempting to make a left turn at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to pull to the left. The dealer stated that nothing could be done to repair the vehicle unless the manufacturer approved the repairs. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v311001 (engine and engine cooling:engine). The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 126,000.

Filed May 2, 2008 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CO

I own a 1997 mitsubishi montero sport ls. There was a recall for a crankshaft pulley bolt, the federal safety agency recall id: 00v311001. I took my vehicle to the mitsubishi dealer and they replaced the bolt. This was back in 2000. In february of 2008 I was driving, getting ready to get on the highway when I heard a grinding and then a loud noise from the engine, I lost power steering and quickly pulled over. Popped the hood of my vehicle and noticed that the crankshaft pulley had broken off. I towed it to my mechanic who stated that the crankshaft pulley bolt had broken. He gave me an estimate of $2400 to have the crankshaft replaced, or $3100 to put in a rebuilt engine. I called mitsubihsi and talked to s lady who was very rude, she would hardly let me say anything. She stated that there was nothing that they could do and to contact the dealership that had replaced the bolt. That dealership is no longer there, went out of business. Looking online I have found numerous complaints about this happening to people who own both the 97 and 98 models of montero sports, even after bringing their vehicles in for the recall. If this had occurred while I was traveling on the highway I could have been seriously injured as I lost all power steering. I feel that this is a serious safety issue, I know that mitsubishi issued a recall to fix this but their fix did not resolve the problem. I also feel that mitsubishi should pay for fixing my vehicle as it is related to the bolt breaking.

Filed Jan 16, 2008 · Brakes, Engine · 149,000 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi montero sport. Her vehicle was repaired according to recall #00v311001 affecting the engine and engine cooling:engine the mechanic tightened the crankshaft pulley bolt. After six months driving approximately 10 MPH the engine, oil, and brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering column also began to tighten up. After inspecting the vehicle she noticed that the crankshaft pulley fell out of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer since her vehicle was previously repaired per the recall. The dealer stated that the contact is responsible for the cost of repairs. The crankshaft pulley was replaced. Two months later the engine made a loud shutter then the pulley fell out of the vehicle again. The manufacturer did not provide her with any assistance. She has pictures of the failed component. The failure and current mileages were 149,000. Updated 02-11-08 *bf the consumer stated she had to pay out of pocket for repairs $1,300.00 and received a discount of $200 from the dealer. The consumer further stated the dealer also found another defect in the vehicle in which the consumer also had to pay out of pocket. The consumer also stated there was a 2nd incident with the brake recall. Updated 02/11/08

Filed May 24, 2007 · Engine · 109,000 miles · LA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact stated that the bolt in the vehicle's crankshaft pulley backed out. The failure caused the pulley to become loose and sheer the pin on the end of the crankshaft. While driving 35 MPH, the power steering, brakes, and engine failed. The vehicle had to be towed. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 109,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2005 · Engine · 92,000 miles · TX

Dt: the contact stated the crank shaft pulley bolt broke on 10-24-05. She had recall 00v311000 repair work done in october -2002. The contact wanted to file a complaint because she was still having problems with the crank shaft. She felt this should have been fixed properly the first time. She spoke to the dealer and to mitsubishi. Mitsubishi told her to contact the dealer and it may or may not be covered. She contacted the dealer, and he told her that at the time of the recall they tightened the bolt, as stated in the recall. She though the recall notice should have stated the dealer should have actually changed the bolt.

Filed Oct 5, 2005 · Engine · 95,812 miles · FL

Dt: the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi montero sport. In 6-03 he brought the car I to dealer because the timing belt came off. The repair work cost $463.06. On 7-26-03 the contact brought it back because the timing belt came off again. He found there was recall 00v311001 and the dealer fixed it at no cost last week on 9-29--0) the timing belt came off again. He had the vehicle towed, and the mechanic could see the bolt sticking out. Talked to the dealer, and the dealer originally said they would repair it because it had a lifetime warranty. Later the contact found out from the dealer that the warranty expired. The estimate repair expense would be $500.00. He called the manufacturer and neither wanted to accept responsibility. The manufacturer would not pay for the repairs because the dealer did not repair it correctly.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

Recall campaign 00v311001 concerning crankshaft pulley bolt. While driving 65 MPH the vehicle lost power and control. Consumer was able to pull the vehicle off the main road. Then, tow truck was called, and the vehicle was towed to consumer's home. The tow truck driver informed the consumer that the crankshaft pulley bolt broke. Consumer stated this was the second time that crankshaft pulley bolt needed to be replaced within a year after recall repairs were done.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Engine, Steering · 98,648 miles · AK

Vehicle lost power steering assist, and the engine overheated while driving at any speed. This was caused by the crankshaft pulley bolt shearing off. Dealer was notified.

Questions about the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport engine

Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have engine problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, 55% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 125,200 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 00V311001. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mitsubishi Montero Sport have bad engine?

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport model years with the most engine complaints are 1997 (16 complaints), 1998 (14 complaints) and 2000 (11 complaints).

Other 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems

Steering 4Brakes 2Electrical 2Transmission 2Airbags 1Body 1Fuel system 1Seat belts 1Seats 1Suspension 1Tires 1Visibility 1

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