1999 Mitsubishi Montero LS review from North America
"Terrible vehicle. Getting ready to trade it in before it's too late"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
At 28000 miles I had to take this vehicle to the dealer because the Neutral light was flashing indicating a malfunction in the transmission. At 65000 miles I had to take the vehicle in for a diagnostic exam because the car was stalling every time I would bring it to a stop. The computer on board was not picking up the problem so I paid extra just to have the dealer to run the probe. The problem was caused by the Idle Air Control Motor going out and a Valve Cover Gasket leak. The plugs had to be replaced because the leak was causing them to be covered in oil. It cost me $1200 to have this service done. It's upsetting considering the fact that I keep the scheduled maintenance up to date on the vehicle. The transmission shifts very roughly, sometimes jerking if I decelerate and then give the car more gas.
General comments?
The vehicle has a terrible starting speed. I feel as though I'm driving Ms. Daisy after leaving a red light. It also has a terrible suspension. I feel as though I'm riding a four wheeler through the woods. The cabin also makes a lot of noise when hitting bumps in the road. There's a squeaking noise coming from the glove box, and the engine squeaks all the time after warming up. I have to sit for three minutes after starting the vehicle to ensure that the transmission will not shift at 5000rpm from 1st to second gear.
Recommended reviews
![]() ![]() | Waste of Money.. |
![]() ![]() | Sluggish, but dependable |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model Year | 2000 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3/10 |
| Reliability marks | 7/10 |
| Comfort marks | 3/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 4/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 24000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 67000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Mustang |
| Date of Entry | 1st December, 2005 |

