Mitsubishi›Montero›1997›3.5L/mitsubishi/montero/1997/3-5l/

1997 Mitsubishi Montero — 3.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Montero 3.5L.

Body SUVEngine 3.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Mitsubishi Montero is a 3.5L SUV paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission that returns an EPA-estimated 16 combined mpg. Keeping that engine lubricated requires 5.2 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil, but researchers should note the powerplant is also the focal point of the vehicle's reliability concerns, driving the majority of its 98 owner complaints alongside four separate recalls. When situated within the model's 1990-2006 complaint history, this year sits well below the problematic 2002 peak of 174 complaints yet far above the 2005 low of just one, marking it as a moderately troubled but not definitive low point in the platform's track record.

Model year2003 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified

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

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · 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 a BCI 24 · 490 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 24 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MD352626
Engine air filter	MR571473
Fuel filter	MB868452
Spark plug	MS851501 alt MD361067
Front wiper blades	MB683949
Serpentine belt	MD186126 alt MD199223
Thermostat	MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 18 / 16 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 1997 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

9.1–11.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.10 sec — 2001 Limited

200 hpHorsepower (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1996	SR 3.5L V6	10.50 sec	17.80 sec	200 hp	4x4
1995	SR 3.5L V6	9.90 sec	17.40 sec	200 hp	4x4
2001	Limited 3.5L V6	9.10 sec	16.90 sec	200 hp	4x4
2001	Limited 3.5L V6	10.30 sec	17.60 sec	200 hp	4x4
2001	Limited 3.5L V6	11.80 sec	18.60 sec	200 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.2 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 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	2.6 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	6.8 Pints,
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.2 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	Tighten in 2
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	136 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	54 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	54 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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	3 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.31-1.41 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	56
Oil Capacity	4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-183 °F
Engine Compression	171-127 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	127-171 psi
Engine Oil Pressure	11.4-11.6 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

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

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 Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (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 Montero sits at a peak within the generation’s complaint and TSB arc: complaints jumped from 29 in 1996 to 98 in 1997, and TSBs rose from 54 to 90—the highest TSB count in the 1990s. This spike is part of a broader pattern where complaints surged in 1995 (99) and remained elevated through 1998 (80), before dropping to 40 in 1999. Recalls for 1997 (4) are in line with the 1992–1998 average, but the 0 investigations suggest no formal safety probe was opened. The top complaint areas—Engine & Engine Cooling (24) and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (11)—along with 8 crash and 5 fire complaints, indicate notable reliability and safety concerns. Given the high complaint volume and TSB count relative to adjacent years, 1997 is a riskier buy than the lower-complaint 1996 or 1999 model years.

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

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

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. 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 5.2 qt Engine oil filter MD352626 Engine air filter MR571473 Fuel filter MB868452 Spark plug MS851501

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 1997 Montero 3.5L take?

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

Does the 1997 Montero have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 3.5L get?

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