Mitsubishi Montero loss of power problems

Filed Apr 30, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 126,000 miles · TX

I was driving home from work and notice my truck had died while slowing to make a right turn at a light..noticed the brake and battery light came on...I restarted the car then tried to make a quick left on my street and couldn't steer my car...I had to use all my strength to turn the steering wheel...had to make a hard turn because on coming traffic was coming and I couldn't speed up or really brake...luckily I made the turn coasted a bit heard a loud clacking under my hood coasted to side of road where I wouldn't be in middle of road...I lost all power steering...tried to crank it wouldn't start...looked up under hood didn't see anything...called my stepdad and mom we tried to give it a boost with cables didn't work...so looked under the car where the trap is noticed a fairly large bolt sheared in half and what I found out later to be the harmonic balancer and belt to it...pulled all this out from atop hood...had it towed to a mechanic and they said the crankshaft pulley bolt had broke and part of it was still in the crankshaft said pray I can get this bolt out if not you have to replace the whole motor...

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Engine · 240,000 miles · VA

1994 mitsubishi montero bolt securing crankshaft pulley came loose resulting in loss of power steering. Accident averted, thank god. As stated in other complaints, mitsubishi dealership and mitsubishi america absolutely refuse to repair my truck because my VIN is not a match for the recall on this same exact problem. My guess is that when someone does have an accident because of this malfunction they'll pay dearly in lawsuit losses when they could simply acknowledge the problem and keep their consumers safe! I will begin a writing campaign in regard to this issue because it's clear that mitsubishi doesn't care until someone dies. Nice way to run your company. By the way, there are no fires/deaths/damage or police reports because thus far, everyone experiencing this problem has been lucky!

Filed Jul 11, 2007 · Engine · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power. The contact stated that the vehicle feels as if it is driving 40 MPH. He has taken the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer is unable to determine the cause of failure. The engine size, failure mileage, and a valid VIN were unknown. The current mileage is 85,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2006 · Engine · CT

Crankshaft pulley broke off. Lost belts, lost power steering and alternator power . Repair shop says engine must be replaced.

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Fuel system · TX · fire

Previously reported similar problem in nov. 2004 (reference no. 10101312) fuel leakage, acceleration/power loss at critical times of highway travel. Suv is now parked due fueling system problems and unreliability. Suv was repaired at fazeli misubishi 11/2004. Even after know recall (purported) correctly vehicle experienced same problem. Suv failed again while on family vacation, loss of acceleration and power began to occur, engine began to cough and sputter (even with a full tank of gas), gas gauge and digital fuel mileage indicator malfunctioned. Suv was eventually parked at a location, while parked fuel apparently had leaked from the fuel tank or other compartment... Fire erupted while we were parked on side of (hwy 10- alabama) I was attempting to light a flare to indicate to passing motorist that we were stranded in the road. Destroyed by the flames were clothing, lap top computer, medication, children toys and electronic games, and religious effects.

Filed Dec 7, 2004 · Engine · CA

While driving 65 MPH consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Suddenly consumer lost power steering. However, consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the pulley needed to be replaced.

Filed Jul 12, 2004 · Engine · 199,367 miles · GA

Crankshaft pulley bolt broke off inside the crank shaft. Pulley began wobbling and shredding the belts causing loss of power steering at highway speeds. Vehicle towed 130 miles back to dealer location. Told by dealer the defective bolt was due to recent head gasket work and had nothing to do with the multiple reports of this bolt failing or the safety recall that had been issued.

Filed Jul 9, 2004 · Engine · UT

While driving at 40 MPH vehicle lost power steering. Vehicle veered off of the road onto a grassy area. The vehicle nearly collided with other vehicles coming towards it. A mechanic examined the vehicle, and found that the crank shaft pulley was defective.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Engine · 155,000 miles · WA

I was driving my mitsubishi montero 3.5l dohc while trying to join freeway on ramp while accelerating to reach 60 miles an hour to keep in pace with highway traffic. Then all of a sudden the vehicle speedometer started to decline despite me stepping on the gas. At the same time I lost power steering and I nearly died due to a possible high speed accident while trying to correct the situation and get off the road at once. I managed to drive the car at very low speed to the nearest mechanic, and it died right in his front yard. Upon examining it he told me the crank shaft bolt broke and thats why I lost control of the vehicle. I also checked out in the internet at this specific site: www.mitsubishisucks.com/cars/complaints/USA/models/montero/1994.html. *ak I discovered that mitsubishi montero ranging from the late 80s to as late as 2002 all have this common defect and not all of them are covered by manufacturers warranty due to VIN of the vehicle. I would like to put it to mitsubishi that if they cannot put safe cars on the road then they better wind up and let toyota run the show . If you go to every dealer it is the same song :we cannot duplicate the problem do they think Im lying in the first place? My experience has taught me after going through 2 monteros that they are the most dangerous and unsafe cars on the road and any other driver should watch out just incase one goes nuts and loses steering capability. I have begun keeping an eye on them especially at high speed cruising. This is the last of montero that I will ever buy in my life time since I dont wonna die quick due to structural failures. My family who are montero fans have put them up for sale and ove on to other better models at least with minimum engine failures coz the cost of putting my montero back on the road is like $5000 and I bought it at $10,000. Looking at the math it makes sense to invest on a new car for that amount. Arrrgh. Drive a montero at your own risk&fore warned is for armed !

Filed May 21, 2004 · Engine, Steering · NJ

While driving 50 MPH vehicle lost power steering . Consumer had no control over vehicle. After coming to a stop consumer noticed that pulley fell off. Dealer determined that crankshaft pulley bolt detached, causing $900.00 damage to vehicle. Manufacturer stated this vehicle was not affected by the crank shaft pulley bolt recall due to VIN.