The most-reported Montero run is JA4MW51R91J (2001 builds) with 11 complaints, 5.5× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 29% of reports; 2001 is the worst model year at 4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for Montero model years 1986–2004.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mitsubishi Montero has 289 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every Montero complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA4MW51R91J•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| JA4MW51R71J•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| JA4MW31R61J•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| JA4MW51R51J•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| JA4MW31R42J•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| JA4MW51R21J•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| JA4MW51R52J•••••• | 2002 | — | 1 | |
| JA4MW51RX2J•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| JA4MW51R22J•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| JA4MW31R92J•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| JA4MR51M6SJ•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| JA4MR41HXSJ•••••• | 1995 | — | — |
Each of the other 277 Montero runs has 7 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mitsubishi Montero the gap between build years is 4×: a 2001 car draws 4 complaints per run, a 1989 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 2003 | 34 | 26 | 4 | |
| 2002 | 101 | 28 | 9 | |
| 2001 | 136 | 34 | 12 | |
| 2000 | 32 | 24 | 5 | |
| 1999 | 32 | 24 | 2 | |
| 1998 | 64 | 41 | 8 | |
| 1997 | 44 | 32 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 18 | 14 | — | |
| 1995 | 68 | 33 | 6 | |
| 1994 | 24 | 14 | 2 | |
| 1990 | 13 | 12 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2001 at 4 complaints per run; lightest is 1989 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Mitsubishi Montero owners report: Service Brakes, 192 of 586 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 10 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 7 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 3 | |
| Suspension | 4 | — | |
| Air Bags | 23 | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | — | 3 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 15 recall campaigns on the Mitsubishi Montero; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 2004. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 04V428000 | Equipment:other:labels | 1998–2004 |
| 98V205000 | Unknown Or Other | 1994–1998 |
| 95V103004 | Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly | 1986–1990 |
| 04V319000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage | 2002–2004 |
| 20V035000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 1998–2000 |
| 00V311001 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 1994–1996 |
04V428000 was opened in 2004 on cars built from 1998: 6 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 586 reports on the Mitsubishi Montero, 9.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mitsubishi Montero | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 586 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 54 (9.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (1.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 66 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 59% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mitsubishi Montero share of that is 586 complaints over 289 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mitsubishi Montero VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 586 NHTSA complaints from 289 Montero runs and 15 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Montero production run has the most complaints?
JA4MW51R91J, a 2001 build, with 11 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Montero run has 2.
Which Montero years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2001 is heaviest at 4 complaints per run and 1989 lightest at 1.
How many Montero complaints involve a crash?
9.2% of 586 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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