Mitsubishi›Montero Sport›1997›3.0L/mitsubishi/montero-sport/1997/3-0l/

1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Montero Sport 3.0L.

Body SUVEngine 3.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is a sport‑utility vehicle powered by a 3.0‑liter engine paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission, returning EPA‑rated fuel economy of 17/20/18 mpg and calling for 4.8 quarts of 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 API‑spec oil. It carries four recalls and accumulated 98 owner complaints—most often in the engine and engine cooling area—placing it well below the peak of 245 complaints seen in 2001 and far above the single complaint recorded in 2009. This positions the 1997 model year toward the reliable end of the 1998‑2009 Montero Sport complaint trend.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque87-101 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/20/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MD352626. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 520 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turn10AOEM · verified

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MD352626 alt MZ690072
Engine air filter	MR571471
Fuel filter	MR239580
Spark plug	MS851336 alt MS851357
Front wiper blades	MR300877 alt MR300876
Serpentine belt	MD199223 alt MD308925
Thermostat	1305A191 alt MD337408

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 20 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

10.0–11.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.00 sec — 1997 LS

173 hpHorsepower (as tested)

188 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1997	LS 3.0L V6	10.00 sec	17.40 sec	173 hp	4x4
1997	LS 3.0L V6	11.40 sec	18.40 sec	173 hp	4x4
1998	LS 3.0L V6	10.50 sec	17.80 sec	173 hp	4x4
1998	LS 3.0L V6	10.70 sec	17.90 sec	173 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-101 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.2 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 Pints,
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Power Steering Fluid	Use Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	DOHC: 14 ft-lbs; SOHC:
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	108-116 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	M8 fastners: 36 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	69 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	87-101 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	21.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	21.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.67-.81 DOHC ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,300-15,300 ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.44-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	56
Oil Capacity	5.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	520 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	47.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	38.0 psi
Engine Compression	171-127 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	145-192 psi
Engine Compression	127-171 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs / 55 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	93 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0031 in / 0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.709 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

25 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

25 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	58 ft. lbs.	58 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts completely.
3	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport precedes the first recorded federal data in 1998, when complaints were already at 35. The complaint trajectory rose sharply, peaking at 245 in 2001 before gradually declining, indicating a worsening trend for later model years. The 1997 model’s top complaint areas — Engine & Engine Cooling (24), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (11), Electrical System (5), and Suspension (5) — mirror the early‑generation concerns that persisted in subsequent years. Crash‑related complaints (8) and fire‑related complaints (5) were modest but present for this model year. Given the upward complaint trend that began shortly after 1997 and the concentration of mechanical complaints, the 1997 model year is not advisable for purchase unless the vehicle has a documented clean service history.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’09

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 98 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling24

Service Brakes, Hydraulic11

Electrical System5

Suspension5

Structure5

Air Bags5

Steering4

Visibility4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

98V205000Unknown Or OtherReported 02/09/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACCESSORY CARGO MATS IN THE THIRD-SEAT AND CARGO AREA. THIS CARGO MAT INTERFERES WITH THE LATCHING INTEGRITY OF THE FOLDING THIRD SEATS. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THIRD-SEAT LATCH AND STRIKER. A RECTANGLE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CARGO MAT AROUND EACH STRIKER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STRIKER CLEARANCE AND PROPER LATCHING.

98V220000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 09/09/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINES CAN DEVELOP PIN HOLES DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE IN THE INNER FENDER. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ROUTING. IF THE LINES ARE NOT CORRECTLY CENTERED IN THE PASS-THROUGH HOLE, THE LINES WILL BE REPOSITIONED BY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 90 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB-22-54-003	2022-04-07	Exterior Lighting	This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…
TSB-21-00-010	2021-04-23	Equipment	This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to provide instructions and Material…
TIN-21-00-003	2021-03-15	Equipment	This Technical Information Notice was sent to dealers reminding them of the importance of…
TT-20-00-002	2020-08-28	Electrical System	Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TIN-20-42A-001	2020-08-13	Structure	This Technical Information Notice was sent to dealers informing that MMNA has recently…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Montero Sport. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 25 battery Vehicles taking 4.8 qt Engine oil filter MD352626 Engine air filter MR571471 Fuel filter MR239580 Spark plug MS851336

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Montero Sport 3.0L take?

4.8 qt of ABOVE 0 degreesF 10W-30 SL API, BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-30 SL API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Montero Sport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.0L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined mpg.