Mitsubishi›Montero›1986›2.6L/mitsubishi/montero/1986/2-6l/

1986 Mitsubishi Montero — 2.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Montero 2.6L.

Engine 2.6LTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1986 Mitsubishi Montero 2.6L is a compact SUV built on a body‑on‑frame platform that pairs a 2.6‑liter engine with an automatic three‑speed transmission. It requires 4.6 quarts of oil and accepts 20W‑20, 20W‑40, or 20W‑50 viscosities, and the EPA rates its fuel economy at 15 city, 16 highway, and 16 combined miles per gallon. Within the model’s broader history, the 1986 version is part of a lineage that, from 1990 onward, recorded only six total owner complaints, with seat belts as the primary complaint area and a single recall, and the complaint volume peaked in 2002 at 174 but fell to just one in 2005, indicating relatively limited reliability concerns for the nameplate overall. The model’s complaint history, covering 1990‑2006, shows a high of 174 complaints in 2002 and a low of one in 2005.

Model year19901989198819871986198519841983

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/16/16 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 filterMZ690116
Engine air filterMD603360 alt MD603071
Fuel filterMB129591
Spark plugMS851238
Front wiper bladesMB196744
Serpentine beltMB239498 alt MZ690294
ThermostatMD972903 alt MD184011

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 16 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.6 qt of 20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt
Power Steering FluidUse 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.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
At 15,000 miThrottle Position Sensor (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Jet Valve (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 50,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · Air Injection System Solenoid Control Valve Air (replace) · Carburetor (inspect) · Distributor Assembly (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect)

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 1986 Montero sits in a generation that shows a rising complaint trend from 1990 (24 complaints) to 1995 (99 complaints), peaking in 1995 before declining again in the late 1990s. Recall counts are relatively low, ranging from 1–5 across the years, with investigations almost nonexistent after 1993. The 1986 model itself had four top complaint areas—seat belts, engine/structure, tires, and electrical—yet reported zero crash or fire complaints. Compared to the surrounding years, 1986’s complaint volume is modest, suggesting it fell near the mid‑range of the generation’s overall trend. Therefore, a 1986 Montero may be a reasonable purchase, provided the specific seat‑belt, engine, tire, and electrical issues are inspected and addressed.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
0 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 6 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Seat Belts2
Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline,Structure1
Tires1
Electrical System1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT2532019-11-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-0082019-07-30EquipmentThis is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT2372018-02-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-13-42A-0022013-01-29StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section…
TSB97110031997-05-01Unknown Or OtherVALVE LASH ADJUSTER PROCEDURES - SERVICE MANUAL REVISION. *TW

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 4.6 qtEngine oil filter MZ690116Engine air filter MD603360Fuel filter MB129591Spark plug MS851238

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Montero 2.6L take?

4.6 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-20, 20W-40, 20W-50, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Montero have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 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 / 16 highway / 16 combined mpg.