Mitsubishi Recalls 210,000 Monteros and Mirages

Recall From: Mitsubishi America

Models:

Mitsubishi Mirage Years: 1997-1999 Mitsubishi Montero Years: 1992-1996 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Years: 1997-1999

Number Involved: 210,000

Dates of Manufacture: March 1996 - March 1999

Defect: On certain Mirage model cars equipped with 1.5L engines and the Montero Sport and Montero sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0L engines, the bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose, and the pulley could fall off the vehicle, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

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 crankshaft pulley bolt to the correct torque specifications. If the bolt is damaged, it will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will be performed in five separate owner mailings, with the first mailing beginning Oct. 31, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi America at 1-800-222-0037.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V311/Mitsubishi America Recall No. SR-00-007]