Selling a junk or broken Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Across 1997-2004, NHTSA logged 347 owner complaints through October 10, 2026, and 57 of them report a crash. If yours has reached the end, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Problems by model years

EPA data lists the Montero Sport for 1997-2004, in 2WD and 4WD. Recall records describe versions with 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter engines. The complaint file splits into two clear stretches.

1997-1999: engine complaints and the pulley bolt

These three years hold 97 complaints. Engine and engine cooling leads on 1997 and 1998 and ties for first on the 1999 (5, with power train). Recall 00V311001 lists 1997-1999 Montero Sports with the 3.0-liter engine, along with the Mirage 1.5 and the Montero 3.0. Its 210,000-vehicle count covers all three models, not the Montero Sport alone.

The 1999 has the most recalls of any year, three. One is 99V041000, for 4WD models with automatic transmissions: transmission fluid could vent onto the hot exhaust. Dealers reprogram the transmission control unit to limit speed below about 30 mph in certain conditions. That campaign counts 10,000 vehicles. Separately, 4 of the 1999's 33 complaints report a fire; NHTSA's counts do not say what caused them.

2000-2004: brakes, structure and air bags

This stretch holds 250 complaints. The 2000 is the peak at 97, and structure leads that year with 15, ahead of hydraulic brakes (13) and power train (12). On the 2001, hydraulic brakes lead with 13 of 63. On the 2002, air bags lead with 11 of 54, and 14 of that year's complaints report a crash.

Recall 01V027000 lists 1999-2001 SUVs with the 3.5-liter engine: their brake vacuum hoses did not meet the federal brake hose standard, and dealers replace them. The campaign counts 19,000 vehicles. The last year, 2004, has recall 04V095000 for wrong capacity weights printed on the tire and loading label, a 491-vehicle campaign.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Montero Sport complaints by year, from NHTSA on October 10, 2026. If a single recall spans several years, it shows on each of those rows. Later years such as the 2004 have had less time on the road to draw complaints.

Is it worth fixing?

Before anything else, run the Montero Sport VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup. On a 3.0-liter 1997-1999, the pulley bolt campaign is the one to ask a dealer about.

Then weigh the shop quote against the price of a working Montero Sport with your year, drive type and mileage. If the engine is the problem, blown engine shows how to judge it. On a 2000 or 2001 with brake trouble, see bad brakes. Rust or structural damage on an older SUV usually ends the debate; junk truck or SUV covers that case.

Selling it whole

1. Note the VIN, mileage, engine size and drive type, plus what's wrong.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it's parked: a field, a driveway, a shop lot. Say if it rolls and if the tires hold air. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave the Montero Sport whole. Say if anything was taken off, since that shifts the offer.
5. Have the title and your photo ID out when we pick up the Montero Sport. Plate rules vary by state, and after you sell covers yours.

Looking at another Mitsubishi SUV? See the Montero, Endeavor, Outlander, or every Mitsubishi we cover.