Owners filed 63 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.
When it fails
07500075,000 milesMedian miles at failure
36 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical System
5
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
5
5
0
5
Steering
4
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
2
0
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4
1
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
4
0
2
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
3
0
0
0
Electrical System › Horn
3
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
2
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
2
0
0
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings01V027000
Filed Feb 5, 200119,000 vehiclesMitsubishi America
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH NONCOMPLIANT BRAKE VACUUM HOSES.
Risk. THESE HOSES COULD BURST CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 24, 2024NC
On multiple occasions, the horn itself will start blowing without command. After pressing the horn to alert another driver, the horn will then stick again. There are repairs where 3m tape is applied to the horn switch behind the airbag, however it is not a professional repair and looks like it could potentially cause the horn to blow without command again.
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 2022WV
4 wh drive light flashes no apparent reason no issues makes the anti lock light come on and also the abs light worried cause a prob wit the brakes or something
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 2021MI
Brake lines completely rusted through and I lost all brakes while heading to work, thankfully I was able to pull the emergency brake to slow down and I coasted through a red light blowing my horn so I was not hit. I bought this vehicle brand new with only 3 miles on it and ever since I initially got it , it began to rust. Clearly it was not rust treated as everything under the body and alot under the hood is rusted. There is even metal inside of the vehicle cabin that is rusted, like the gas cap lever. This vehicle should have been recalled many years ago like the Outlander due to all of the rust the vehicle gets under it causing thing to fail while its being driven. My vehicle just has a little over 100,000 miles on it and it now sits after that brake incident as I am afraid to drive it seeing all of the rust under it. Even the running boards are all rusted underneath. I am sure that everyone with this model vehicle has experienced the same problem but these vehicles are dangerous on the roads due to everything on them rusting .
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 2, 2018187,985 milesMO
I DROVE MY FAMILY TO THEIR DOCTOR APP. AND WHEN I WAS PARKED GASOLINE WAS DRIPPING DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS REAR TIRE ONTO THE PAVEMENT UPON INSPECTION I SAW GASOLINE RUNNING OFF OF THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK I THEN WENT AND TOLD THE PARKING LOT ATTENDANT WHAT WAS HAPPENING HE THEN HAD TO BLOCKADE THAT AREA OF THE PARKING LOT OFF. I HAD CALL TO GET US A RIDE HOME . I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT AND HE FOUND THE STEEL GAS LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU ON THE PRESSURE SIDE AND THE RETURN LINE AS WELL UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND SEVERE FRAME ROT AND SAID IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION WHEN IT COMES DUE NEXT TIME.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 29, 2017148,000 milesLA
THIS WEEK I HAVE HAD TWO OCCURRENCES WHERE THE HORN JUST STARTS BLARING AND WON'T STOP. ONCE WAS IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THE OTHER WAS AT 5:00 AM. MY ONLY DIY ALTERNATIVES ARE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (OBVIOUSLY CAN'T USE THE VEHICLE), OR REMOVE THE FUSE (VERY UNSAFE). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, NO WEATHER PROBLEMS, TEMPERATURE WAS MILD (AROUND 70 DEGREES). PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, THE HORN RARELY WORKED AT ALL; AT LEAST NOT WHEN I WANTED IT TO WORK. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT APPEAR TO BE VERY WIDESPREAD ON THIS VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT, IT INVOLVES REMOVING THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY, SO GETTING IT FIXED IS VERY COSTLY (OVER $1000). I EXPECT TO SPEND SOME MONEY ON A FEW ITEMS HERE & THERE ON A 16 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, BUT I DON'T EXPECT TO SPEND OVER $ 1000 ON A VEHICLE JUST TO MAKE THE HORN WORK RIGHT.
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 4, 2016199,700 milesCT
FRAME IS RUSTING TO A POINT WHERE IT'S BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TENDS TO SHIFT BACK AND FORTH IN THE REAR. A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE POINTED OUT THE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH FRAME NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL.
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 2015CA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING PUMP PULLEY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure › Body
Filed Oct 31, 2014113,000 milesPA
LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONTO SHOULDER. AFTER CHECKING I NOTICED THE FRAME HAD RIPPED ,BROKEN OFF. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED FOR 3-4 FEET. FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE REAR WHEEL . AFTER INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE FRAME THE DRIVER SIDE IS UNAFFECTED WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS POOR METAL/FRAME FROM THE FACTORY,NO ANTY CORROSION WAS APPLY TO THE METAL FRAME FROM MITSUBISHI FACTORY.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Suspension
Filed Nov 10, 2013214,108 milesMA
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONTO SHOULDER. AFTER QUICKLY CHECKING TIRES, ETC. I NOTICED THE FRAME HAD RIPPED IN HALF. THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED FOR 4-5 FEET. FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE FRAME THE PASSENGER SIDE IS UNAFFECTED WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS POOR METAL/FRAME FROM THE FACTORY. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jul 10, 2012100,000 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE ATTEMPTED TO SOUND THE HORN BUT IT WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO BEGIN DRIVING. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN DRIVING, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND NONSTOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW EXACT FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Electrical System
Filed Feb 14, 2011104,500 milesOK
HORN SPONTANEOUSLY SOUNDED AND WOULD NOT GO OFF WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN COLD. THE FUSE HAD TO BE REMOVED. NOW THAT THE TEMPERATURE IS WARMER THE HORN APPEARS TO BE BACK TO NORMAL WITH THE FUSE BACK IN. THE HORN SWITCH IS CONTAINED IN AN ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDES THE AIRBAG AND IS SOLD ONLY AS A UNIT WITH A PARTS PRICE OF OVER $600, PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. AN INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR DEFECTS IN THE HORN. IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR MITSUBISHI TO CHARGE $1,000 TO FIX THEIR DEFECT IN THE HORN SWITCH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT.
Interior Lighting
Filed Jul 31, 2010124,000 milesFL
I HAVE A 01' MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT XLS 3.0L AS OF THE LAST WEEK IN MARCH I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY A/C AND CALL AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO MAKE A APPOINTMENT. TO MY SURPRISE THE MITSUBISHI/SATURN SHOP, THE PLACE THAT I HAD TAKEN IT TO 6MTHS TO A YEAR BE4, MY OXYGEN SENSOR TO BE REPLACED AND SOME OTHER THINGS, WAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. SO I CALL WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD GOTO A LICENSED MECHANIC SHOP TO GET MY A/C FIXED, OXYGEN SENSOR HAD DEFAULT AGAIN, BUT IT STILL HAD WARRANTY ON IT WITH THE PREVIOUSLY SHOP SO THE RECENT SHOP COULD NOT REPLACE IT AND I ALSO STILL HAD WARRANTY COVERAGE WITH THE CREDIT UNION THAT I PAY MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO. SO I CALLED THE WARRANTY GROUP, AND THE WARRANTY GROUP PAID FOR A/C TO BE FIXED AND I ONLY HAD TO PAY 100 DEDUCTIBLE. I RECEIVED MY SUV BACK ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THEN I NOTICED A KNOCKING WITHIN THE MOTOR SO I WENT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A OIL CHANGE, BUT I JUST RECENTLY HAD A TUNE-UP AND OIL CHANGE. SO I KNEW THAT I DIDN'T NEED A OIL CHANGE. THE SHOP COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE KNOCKING NOISE, BUT ON 5- 23-10 MY SUV HAD MALFUNCTION THIS TIME MY CRANKSHAFT,PULLEY,RODS HAD SEPARATED AND THE ONLY THING THAT WAS HOLDING MY ENGINE TOGETHER WAS THE MAIN BOLT. SO I GOT IT TOWED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND I HAD TO GET MY ENGINE REPLACED. THE WARRANTY GROUP PAID FOR THE PRE-USED ENGINE, AND I RECEIVED MY SUV BACK ON 6-11-10. I DID NOT DRIVE MY TRUCK NO MORE THEN TO MY HOME AND PARKED
Steering
Filed Jul 9, 201085,325 milesPA
2001 MITSUBUSHI MONTERO SPORT...TIE ROD SLEEVE ON PASSENGER SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY CAME APART AS I WAS PULLING OUT FROM PARKING SPACE ONTO BUSY ROADWAY. THIS CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO STEER CORRECTLY. MECHANIC REPLACED TIE ROD AND FEELS THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS THREADS WHERE STILL INTACT JUST FITTING WAS NOT PROPER. YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO SCREW TIE ROD TOGETHER AND PHYSICALLY PULL THEM APART BY HAND. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WITH THE TIE RODS THAT FAILED SO NEEDLESS TO SAY WHEN THEY CAME APART IT WAS A TOTAL SHOCK. I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS THAT WHERE REMOVED FOR INSPECTION IF NECESSARY. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $285 I WAS HOPING TO BE ABLE TO RECOUP OUR EXPENSES. I'M HOPING YOU CAN ADVISE ME ON HOW TO DO THIS. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jul 3, 2010148,962 milesMA
THE HORN ON MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT IS DEFECTIVE. IT CONSTANTLY BLOWS FUSES, AND WHEN I CAN FINALLY FOR SOME REASON GET ONE IN THE FUSE SLOT WITHOUT BLOWING, I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY HORN WILL JUST START GOING OFF AND IT WONT STOP UNTIL I PULL OVER AND TAKE THE FUSE BACK OUT. *TR
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 6, 2010157,419 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONTACT APPLIED MINIMAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT APPLIED REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IT EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY RELATED COMPLAINTS AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 157,419.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 21, 201075,000 milesFL
2001 MONTERO SPORT CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE HORN STAY ON HAVE TO REMOVE FUSE ONLY WAY TO FIXED READ MORE USERS SAME ISSUES BATTERY DEAD AS PARTS OF AL THIS MALFUNCTIONS READ SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEMS SAME CAR SAME YEAR COMPANY MAKE NO RECALLS WHY??? *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 25, 200982,222 milesAZ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WELD ZONE OF THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS. THE FUEL TANKS WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,222 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Sep 12, 200840,000 milesAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2004, THE BRAKES BEGAN FAILING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLIDING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING NOISES CONTINUOUSLY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TAIL SPIN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE ACCUMULATOR, WHICH AFFECTED THE ABS. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE VACUUM HOSE BEING DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V027000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MAD A NOISE. UPDATED 10/07/08. *JB
Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Aug 28, 2008136,000 milesMD
ON MY WAY TO A FUNERAL, MY TRUCKS TRANSMISSION STALLED ON THE ROAD. WHEN THIS STARTED MY VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER IN RICHMOND, VA. RIGHT NOW MY TRUCK IS STILL AT THE DEALER AWAITING MY APPROVAL FOR MORE REPAIRS TO BE DONE. RIGHT NOW MY REPAIR BILL IS AT A COST OF 2,013.29 AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 9, 200892,000 milesCA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWLY GAINED SPEED AS IF IT WERE IN SECOND GEAR. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE WAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE NEUTRAL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS FAILURE AND THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Feb 5, 2001. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.