1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS
JA4LS31P6WP002060
Vehicle history report for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS (VIN JA4LS31P6WP002060). White. 198,304 mi reported. Registered in Tx. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport worth?
What comparable 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN JA4LS31P6WP002060
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
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
NHTSA Campaign #00V311001 · 02/10/2000We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 35
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
AIR BAGS
On Tuesday August 31st I pulled up to Alexandra tire shop to get a tire. I got out of the truck to inquire if the tire that I needed was available. The mechanic informed me that they had the tire I needed. My wife sat in the car on the passenger side as I inquired with the mechanic. Once he informed me that they had the tire, my wife got out of the passenger…
NHTSA ODI #11431281ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I TURNED MY AC ON AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND MY CAR BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT AS WELL AS MY AT LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN MY RADIO, AC,DOME LIGHT AND MOON ROOF WONT CLOSE I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED 400$ JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE FIXING IT I TOOK IT TO PEPBOYS AND THEY TOLD ME I COULD OF HAD FIRE WITH A BAD …
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10460979ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. SUDDENLY, WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL UNSEIZED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT A FAULTY CRANK …
NHTSA ODI #10417892ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, I-78, AND OTHER HIGHWAYS, THE MITSUBISHI ALTERNATOR INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER ELECTRICALLY CONTROL FUNCTIONS. WHAT MAKES THIS NOTABLY IS THAT IT WAS THE 5TH ALTERNATOR THAT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1-1/2 YEARS. EACH TIME WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS BETWEEN 55 AND 65…
NHTSA ODI #10409788AIR BAGS
WHILE TRAVELING ON ROUTE 632, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY, ENTERED AND STOPPED IN THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 632 & ROUTE 645 IN NEW JERSEY; CAUSING MY SUV TO BROAD SIDED THEIR PICK-UP TRUCK. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE MITSUBISHI DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10409789ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-17 NEAR PHOENIX, AZ MERGING ONTO I-10 WEST - WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I COULDN'T STEER THE VEHICLE. ALL WHILE GOING 65 MPH. IT TOOK EVERY BIT OF MY STRENGTH TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAD IT TOWED TO MARK MITSUBISHI IN AVONDALE, AZ FOR REPAIRS. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THE "REPAIRS" WERE DONE. THE DAM…
NHTSA ODI #10398920ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TROUBLE TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND NOTICED VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVING BELTS WERE DISLODGED AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS HANGING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF TH…
NHTSA ODI #10328188TIRES
I PURCHASED A USED TIRE AT BJ TIRE SHOP IN BRYAN, TX ON JULY 16, 2009. THE TIRE PURCHASED (BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A 265 70R) TURNED OUT TO BE DEFECTIVE WITH THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER CAUSING $9000 IN DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE GOT HURT OR KILLED. I AM AFRAID THAT TH…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10289973+ 27 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN JA4LS31P6WP002060 valid?
JA4LS31P6WP002060 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in Japan. It decodes to the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have any open safety recalls?
Yes — 1 open NHTSA safety recall is on record for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Recall repairs are carried out free by any franchised dealer; see the recall details above.
What is a fair price for a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
Comparable 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport listings run roughly $800–$1,100, typically around $1,000 (from 5 comparable vehicles). The full report shows this exact VIN's valuation.
What fuel economy does the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport at about 18 mpg combined (17 city / 20 highway).
Data last checked 13 Sep 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.






