Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
00V311001MITSUBISHI AMERICAfrom 01/01/1991 to 01/31/1996V (Vehicle)21000010/31/2000ODIMITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.10/02/200010/24/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryThe condition can result in a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryOn 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 crankshaft pulley bolt to the correct torque specifications. if the bolt is damaged, it will be replaced.
NotesOwner notification will be performed in five separate owner mailings, with the first mailing beginning october 31, 2000.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
TIN01SR00301/26/2001625956Technical information regarding crankshaft pulley bolt replacement. *tt12/12/2001
6702/01/2001618238Subject regarding crankshaft pulley bolt replacement. *jb04/10/2001
ATIN01SR00201/18/2001617812This advance technical information notice states that mitsubishi motor sales of america, inc. (mmsa) is voluntarily recalling affected vehicles for a possible loose crankshaft pulley bolt. *tt03/29/2001
SR0100201/01/2001617809Mitsubishi motor sales of america, inc. is voluntarily recalling certain affected vehicles for a possible loose crankshaft pulley bolt. *tt03/29/2001
9709011400109/01/199754306Procedure for replacing the water passage gaskets on various vehicles. *yc03/30/1998
TSB971100202/01/199752060New valve lash adjuster noise checking and troubleshooting procedures. *jd07/17/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
11/01/2006110000103/15/1998
 Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 40 mph on dry road conditions, a clunking noise was heard from the engine bay, and power steering was lost. also, the accelerator pedal was inoperable. the contact managed to pull the vehicle over, and was towed to the dealership. upon inspection, the dealer determined that the crankshaft pulley bolt had fractured, and the bolt needed to be replaced. the bolt was replaced. the manufacturer was contacted, who denied responsibility for the fractured bolt because a safety recall was performed 5 years earlier for the retorqing of the bolt. the vehicle had air conditioning work and the timing chain replacement performed one month prior to the incident, and the contact was not sure if that work could have affected the crankshaft pulley bolt.
07/15/200388000108/15/2000
 Dt: the caller said smoke came out of tail pipe when vehicle first accelerated. he had to put oil in the vehicle more often than normal. dealer told him vehicle idled too slowly, and that oil was getting on the valves, causing the smoke. he was told the guides were dropping too low, and that was letting the oil leak onto the valves. dealer and manufacturer offered no help for free. *ak
05/13/20042
 While driving 50 mph vehicle lost power steering . consumer had no control over vehicle. after coming to a stop consumer noticed that pulley fell off. dealer determined that crankshaft pulley bolt detached, causing $900.00 damage to vehicle. manufacturer stated this vehicle was not affected by the crank shaft pulley bolt recall due to vin. *ak
100000
 Vehicle was at a complete stop, consumer noticed smoke coming from the engine. consumer checked under the hood and notice a oil leak. consumer had vehicle serviced by the dealership, who indicated that the porous head caused the engine leak. please provide more details. ts
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
04/23/2005305/01/2001
 Crankshaft pully failed and is now being repaired for 3rd time in one year. *tr
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
08/28/20092190001
 While driving about 20 mph crankshaft pulley bolt broke. *tr
06/01/2009215000105/15/2007
 Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mitsubishi montero. while driving less than 55 mph, the power steering failed and the contact almost struck a pedestrian. upon further investigation, he found that a pulley failed in the crankshaft. the manufacturer stated that his vin was included in a recall. due to the age of the vehicle, the contact was informed that he would have had to have the timing belt replaced at some point, which would have also taken care of the recall. mitsubishi refused to perform the recall repair. the contact was well within the statute of limitations to have his vehicle repaired according to the recall. nhtsa campaign id number 00v311001. the current and failure mileages were less than 215,000. updated 7/9/09 *cn the bolt holding the harmonic balancer pulley on, fell out which allowed the pulley to also fall off. updated 07/17/09.*jb
07/15/2008152000103/21/2008
 Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mitsubishi montero. while at a stop sign, the instrument panel lights illuminated and the vehicle became difficult to steer. the mechanic stated that the pulley was not working properly. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 00v311001 (engine and engine cooling:engine). the current and failure mileages were 152,000. updated 09/16/08. *lj updated 09/18/08. *jb
12/22/2006142103107/21/2004
 The crankshaft pulley bolt became loose, causing the vehicle to lose power steering,charging system, and the vehicle became hot. my wife was put in danger because of the steering loss during her commute from work in rush hour traffic. there is an active recall for this problem, nhtsa i.d. 00v311001 but the bolt was never replaced just inspected. i talked to the dealer and manufacturer service rep's and was informed by both that ,my vehicle was out of the recall warranty even though the original defective bolt caused the problem. *jb
07/26/20051750003
 The mechanic the owner of an independent shop, completed a tune up of the 3.0 liter engine, that was running fine when brought to him. the engine was running and then the engine had a loud grinding and sounded like it was blowing up. the mechanic took the spark plugs out and used a light to determine the cylinder head was cracked and ruined from a loose piece of metal the size of a mans toe nail. the engine is completely ruined and must be replaced. the mechanic disputes the fact he did anything to cause the damage but was willing to install another engine if i purchased it. this is the third engine that this has occurred on and the last time was while i owned the vehicle too. i had the vehicle into a reputable mechanic for a tune up. they did a tune up for $625, which they first called and quoted $350 then called back and changed it to the $625. they completed the tune up moved the car out to see how it ran. the vehicle ran fine but about five minutes after idling that length of time a piece of metal the size of a spark plug electrode was loose in a cylinder and ruined the engine. the shop did not want to replace the engine because they insist the failure is not their fault, but since it happened under their care they actually found a wrecked montero with a60,000 mile engine and installed it for the price of the tune up. the car was out of commission for three weeks and we were not reimbursed for time and expense but the shop did a pretty good job of replacing. the engine block of the old engine was sitting on the floor of the shop when i picked up the car. the cylinder that was ruined was scratched and scoured completely over the whole thing. should i find and install an engine it will be number four, the original owner had to replace an engine when he owned it. *jb
1490001
 Vehicle experienced a problem with the crankshaft pulley. this problem is the same as the montero sport which is under re-call. this vehicle does not apply under the re-call because of the vin# and vehicle identification. provide further details. *jb
03/28/20031200001
 The vehicle experienced the same defect with the crankshaft pulley bolt as stated in recall 00 v 311 001, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. *jb
08/03/2001143000309/28/1994
 Crankshaft pulley bolt and collateral damages have needed to be repaired 3 times within eighteen months, loss of power steering while driving and no notification of recall 00v311001.*jb
08/20/2000
 While driving all lighst on dashboard came on, and power steering stopped working. this was as a result of crankshaft pulley disconnecting from motor. this happened 3 times. dealership could not fix problem.*ak
 Crankshaft/ pulley bolt separated, causing damage to vehicle. recall 00v311001 has been issued on similar makes and models; however, this vehicle was not included due to vin. 3.5 liter engine. please provide further information.*ak
05/28/2002
 Bolt that holds pulley into the crankshaft broke while consumer was driving at 30 mph. contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak
01/12/2001
 Vehicle was running rough at 50-60 mph, then lost all power. all lights on dash came on, vehicle towed to repairshop. mechanic determined crankshaft pulley bolt had broken. *ak
05/01/20001
 The bolt securing the crankshaft broke prior to recall 00v-311 while driving up into the mountains and rounding a corner the driver lost control of the vehicle but was able to maneuver it to the side of the road. nlm
06/12/2001
 Engine pulley came apart, damaging engine. please provide additional information. *ak
11/26/20001
 While driving, consumer heard a strange knocking noise from engine, the noise continued for a few more minutes and then all of a sudden a very loud explosive noise erupted from the engine and a sudden loss of power ensued, this was then followed by a violent shaking and steam coming from the vehicle, consumer was able to pull over on the freeway, vehicle was towed in to be inspected and it was determined that the entire engine needed to be replaced because the connecting rod broke and it punctured a hole through the block, no one could really explain to the consumer what caused this but was told maybe it was due to lack of oil in which consumer totally disagreed, consumer states none of the panels lights came on to alert her of any possibile problems, however consumer did pay for the necessary repairs but wonders if this is a design flaw in a vehicle that is barely five years old. *jb
05/11/20010
 Pulley fell off crankshaft and vehicle lost power steering and almost had an accident. dealership is aware of problem.*ak
04/19/2001103/01/1996
 While driving about 20 mph crankshaft pulley bolt broke, there is a recall for this component, but this vehicle was not affected due to vin. *ak the consumer points out that the recall should have included this vehiclce because both 3.0 and 3.5 engine block were the same. the consumer wants the situation to be investigated. *yh
03/15/2001
 Recall 00v311001 notice received. it was a foreign purchased vehicle, and dealership was informing him they had no way to bill carrbean mitsubishi. please provide any additional informationl.*ak
03/01/2000305/20/1998
 Bolt of crankshaft has fallen out, causing damage to crankshaft a total of 3 times. consumer contacted manufacturer, and was told vehicle not included in recall 00v311001 due to vin although it had same exact defect.*ak
09/14/19990
 Put in 4.5 quarts of oil into tank that should last 3000 miles. but when checking dip stick at 3000, there was no oil left. dealer said oil might be leaking in engine valves, and it was normal for at least a quart of oil to be burned up. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
04/01/2002
 Crankshaft and sprocket had to be changed because they failed. mr
112/24/1998
 The vehicle consumes excessive amounts of oil and the consumer has to keep putting a quart of engine oil every month. dealership is not able to determine cause, which is how the engine was maunfactured. *et
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
05/28/2004199367106/15/1996
 Crankshaft pulley bolt broke off inside the crank shaft. pulley began wobbling and shredding the belts causing loss of power steering at highway speeds. vehicle towed 130 miles back to dealer location. told by dealer the defective bolt was due to recent head gasket work and had nothing to do with the multiple reports of this bolt failing or the safety recall that had been issued. *la
07/07/20041
 While driving at 40 mph vehicle lost power steering. vehicle veered off of the road onto a grassy area. the vehicle nearly collided with other vehicles coming towards it. a mechanic examined the vehicle, and found that the crank shaft pulley was defective.*ak
11/19/20031
 Crankshaft pulley bolt broke while driving at 45 mph. pulley came off, causing the vehicle to shut down, and lose power. *ak
09/26/200370000303/10/2003
 The crankshaft pulley bolt has broken 3 times in 2003 while driving. powersteering is lost and the last time car died while driving.the previos owner fixed it on feb.7, 2003. it broke while my husband was on the freeway may 15th, 2003 and then it broke again sept.4,2003. there is a recall on this bolt for the montero 3.0 l engine and the galant same year. why no recall on the montero 3.5 l? no fatalities this time.
09/29/20031
 While driving on the highway and without warning vehicle shut down due to the crankshaft pulley belt falling off. *ak
07/14/20031
 While traveling about 40mph on the highway and without prior warning.the pulley came off, causing the vehicle to shut down and lose all power. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
07/15/200388000108/15/2000
 Dt: the caller said smoke came out of tail pipe when vehicle first accelerated. he had to put oil in the vehicle more often than normal. dealer told him vehicle idled too slowly, and that oil was getting on the valves, causing the smoke. he was told the guides were dropping too low, and that was letting the oil leak onto the valves. dealer and manufacturer offered no help for free. *ak
 When the windows down and stop at a light there is a bad smell in the car child got sick from the fumes . tt