Mitsubishi›Montero›1989›2.6L/mitsubishi/montero/1989/2-6l/

1989 Mitsubishi Montero — 2.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Montero 2.6L.

Engine 2.6LTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 1989 Mitsubishi Montero 2.6L arrives as a midsize SUV built on Mitsubishi’s early‑generation body‑on‑frame platform, powered by a 2.6‑liter engine that accepts 4.8 qt of oil and runs on a range of viscosities from 20W‑40 to 5W‑30 (API‑approved). Its manual five‑speed gearbox delivers modest fuel economy—approximately 15 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined—while the vehicle’s modest overall owner‑complaint count of ten, with steering as the most frequent issue and two recalls recorded, places the 1989 model near the low‑end of the Montero’s reliability spectrum. Within the broader 1990‑2006 complaint record, the year sits well below the 2002 peak of 174 complaints and just above the 2005 trough of a single complaint, indicating that the 1989 Montero is generally regarded as a relatively dependable early‑generation example.

Model year1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/18/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter MZ690116. 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.

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MZ690116
Engine air filter	MR571477 alt MD620090
Fuel filter	MB504752 alt MB129591
Spark plug	MS851238 alt MS851237
Front wiper blades	MB542222
Serpentine belt	MD185960 alt MD187462
Thermostat	MD972903 alt MD184011

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Manual 5-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 18 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.3 Pints,
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Power Steering Fluid	Use Mitsubishi PS fluid

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	Brake Linings (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Jet Valve (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Injection System Solenoid Control Valve Air (replace) · Distributor Assembly (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Thermostatically Controlled Air Cleaner Assembly (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 80,000 mi	Oxygen Sensor (replace) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Canister (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 1989 Montero's federal record shows only 2 crash-related complaints and no fire complaints, with steering and seat belts as the top complaint areas. In the broader generation, the earliest available year-by-year data begins in 1990 with 24 complaints and 1 recall, then escalates to peaks of 99 complaints in 1995 and 174 in 2002, alongside a rise in recalls and TSBs. The 1989 model year sits just before this documented upward trend, implying it may predate the surge in reported issues, though the data does not specify root causes for the later spikes. With only 2 crash complaints and a limited complaint profile, the 1989 Montero appears to be a relatively quiet entry point in the generation's arc, but the absence of direct year-by-year data for 1989 means its long-term reliability cannot be fully assessed from this record alone.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’02 ’04 ’05 ’06

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering2

Seat Belts2

Air Bags1

Tires1

Unknown Or Other1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103004Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD…

89V030000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 03/03/1989

THE ENGINES ARE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE VALVE ICING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. Remedy: INSTALL A HEATED ADAPTER PLATE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT253	2019-11-26	Equipment	This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-008	2019-07-30	Equipment	This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT237	2018-02-26	Equipment	This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-13-42A-002	2013-01-29	Structure	This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section…
TSB9711002	1997-02-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	NEW VALVE LASH ADJUSTER NOISE CHECKING AND TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES. *JD

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. 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.

Vehicles taking 4.8 qt Engine oil filter MZ690116 Engine air filter MR571477 Fuel filter MB504752 Spark plug MS851238

Reference guides

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

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Montero 2.6L take?

4.8 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Montero have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.6L get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined mpg.