Mitsubishi›Montero›1995›3.0L/mitsubishi/montero/1995/3-0l/

1995 Mitsubishi Montero — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Montero 3.0L. Covers both the standard and High Output 3.0L.

Body SUVEngine 3.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1995 Mitsubishi Montero 3.0L is an SUV powered by a 3.0L engine and Automatic 4-spd transmission that achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 14/17/15 mpg while requiring 4.5 qt of oil compatible with 20W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API. Across the model's 1990-2006 history, this specific year accumulated 99 total owner complaints with Engine & Engine Cooling as the top complaint area alongside 3 recalls. This places the 1995 Montero in a moderate reliability position relative to the model's peak of 174 complaints in 2002 and its lowest point of 1 complaint in 2005.

Model year1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

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

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy14/17/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 490 CCA battery, OE oil filter MD136790. 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 24 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MD136790
Engine air filter	MR571473
Fuel filter	MB868452
Spark plug	MS851336 alt MS851501
Front wiper blades	MB683949
Serpentine belt	MD199223 alt MB813344
Thermostat	1305A191 alt MD184011

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 17 / 15 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

No 1995 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

11.7–14.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.66 sec — 1989 LS

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1992	SR 3.0L V6	12.20 sec	18.80 sec	150 hp	4x4
1992	SR 3.0L V6	14.40 sec	19.90 sec	150 hp	4x4
1991	LS 3.0L V6	13.40 sec	19.20 sec	141 hp	4x4
1989	LS 3.0L V6	11.66 sec	18.78 sec	143 hp	4x4
1989	LS 3.0L V6	13.00 sec	19.00 sec	143 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

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	4.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	Use Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	Tighten in 2
Engine Flywheel Bolts	54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	14 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	57 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	72-87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	22.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	3 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.31-1.44 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	56
Oil Capacity	2.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	12
Engine Compression	127 minimum PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	127-171 psi
Engine Compression	127-171 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	54 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	65 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0039 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 3 stages

1	80 ft. lbs.	80 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts completely.
3	80 ft. lbs.	80 ft. lbs

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.

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	Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	EGR Valve (replace) · 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 1995 Mitsubishi Montero marks a sharp inflection point in its generation, with complaints spiking to 99—nearly triple the 1994 total and far exceeding the 29 reported in 1996. This surge aligns with a broader mid-cycle peak (1995–1997) where complaints consistently exceeded 80 annually, though recalls remained relatively stable at 2–4 per year. Engine and cooling issues dominate the 1995 complaints (33), a trend not mirrored as starkly in adjacent years, while brake, steering, and electrical complaints also appear elevated. The data doesn’t specify root causes, but the concentration of engine-related reports suggests potential durability or design concerns unique to this model year. Compared to the quieter early-1990s and the gradual decline post-1998, the 1995 Montero sits at the apex of reliability concerns for its generation. **Takeaway: This is a high-risk year to buy, given its outlier complaint volume and unresolved engine-related vulnerabilities.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

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 99 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling33

Service Brakes, Hydraulic7

Steering6

Electrical System6

Suspension5

Power Train4

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Seats3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V311001Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 02/10/2000

VEHICLE 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… 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…

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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 36 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. 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 24 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter MD136790 Engine air filter MR571473 Fuel filter MB868452 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 1995 Montero 3.0L take?

4.5 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 1995 Montero have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.0L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined mpg.