The 1990 Mitsubishi Montero has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 658,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030041995-05-24658,000 affected
Defect
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS…
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
2
2crashes
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
Total complaints25
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1990 mitusbishi montero started to smoke. Consumer pulled over to shoulder and vehicle became engulfed in flames. *njohio traffic crash report # 10-0206-89. *jb”
“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…”
“Engine crankshaft pulley bolt broke, causing loss of power steering and all other belt-driven components. *jb”
“Consumer called complaining about having problem with the engine bolt that broke while driving the vehicle at 25 mph. Ts there was a failure in the vibration damper bolt which caused the pulley to fall off. *jg”
“Consumer had found a design fraud on vehicle. Had taken it to a technician for check up. Found rear brake hose will pull when vehicle is lifted. Then when is put back on ground could have brake failure due to extension on brake hose.*ak”
“Vehicle was parked on driveway for about 5 minutes when an underhood fire started in engine. Prior to incident, consumer had a broken thermostat replaced. *ak *slc”
“The bolt on the front of the crankshaft broke off, causing the pulley and belt to fly off, resulting in loss of power steering and loss of vehicle control.”
“The transmission in this vehicle has been hard to shift for a couple of years, and I want to know if this is a common problem, and if there is a recall on the transmissions. I have done some research, and this may be a recall number that may help (m[REDACTED]). *****dims 11 ivoq entry posted after…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95004 Opened 1995-03-10 · closed 1995-08-01
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE90034 Opened 1990-01-22 · closed 1990-03-15
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Mitsubishi Montero as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.