Model year guide

1999 Mitsubishi Montero

Q: Does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero get?

The 1999 Mitsubishi Montero has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

1999 Mitsubishi Montero — representative photo — Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 Mitsubishi Montero at a glance

Safety recalls2

Owner complaints40

Combined15–16 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1999 Mitsubishi Montero recalls 2

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V035000 · manufacturer #SR-20-001 · 23/01/2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-001.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V428000 · 01/09/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Fix: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPE…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1999 Mitsubishi Montero common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Air Bags

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1999 Mitsubishi Montero MPG & running costs

Combined15–16 mpg

City14 mpg

Highway18 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$4,283

EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,417 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,415

Fuel only$21,415

Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 25

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 25.

This is a revised Safety Recall bulletin sent to dealers informing them of new Takata inflator return procedures.

Bulletin SR-20-001REV3 · Air Bags · Jun 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

Bulletin TSB-22-54-003 · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022