2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 54 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
89,000 milesMedian miles at failure

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal8
809
Structure › Body4
000
Air Bags3
101
Tires2
001
Service Brakes2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
101
Engine and Engine Cooling2
000
Electrical System › Horn2
000
Electrical System2
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 4, 2022NE

I checked and there's several recalls on the vehicle and I purchase it last year from the dealership and I never received anything about the recalls and now my vehicle doesn't want to start it lock me out.

Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2021NV

I have a 2002 Mitsibishi Montero Sport.I was driving home from work, and all the sudden i couldn't steer. I had no steering, Lost power to vehicle and battery light came on. Wasnt sure what happened, looked under the hood and noticed belts were off. Went and got new ones and noticed when trying to put the mew belts on the bolt on the crankshaft pulley was loose and the pin was broken making that pulley loose.I was lucky that I decided to take a street with less traffic otherwise I could of gotten into an accident.This should definitely be a RECALL.

Power Train
Filed Jun 23, 2018179,000 milesMO

DRIVE MODE SELECTOR WILL NOT MOVE FROM THE AWD POSITION.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 9, 2017140,000 milesMN

THE HOOD FLEW UP WHEN SAFETY LATCH FAILED TO HOLD IT,, PLUS BRAKE LINE TROUBLES AS WELL AS GAS TANK FILL PIPE ALL RUSTED OUT,, HOOD WAS ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 30MPH AN WRAPPED ARROUND WINDSHIELD,,

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 2017155,500 milesHI

MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITRGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE RESULTED IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND CAN DELAY FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND SHOULD BE ON THE SAFETY RECALL LIST NO. SR-01-008REVII. HE SAID THIS BULLETIN SUPERCEDES SR-01-008REVI. HE SAID THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD REPLACE THE OLD HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR WITH THE NEW MODEL. AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MODELS PRODUCED BEFORE 6/20/01. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE MY CAR WAS PRODUCED BUT THIS IS THE PROBLEM FOR SURE. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC AND HE AGREED. THE CAR DOES NOT STOP PROPERLY AND I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 27, 2017175,000 milesTN

MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED STARTED MAKING A STRANGE NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC BOOSTER FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT SHOWING A RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI ALL THEY WOULD SAY IS IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 12, 2017127,000 milesMN

BOTH HEAD LIGHT BEAMS SOMETIMES DISAPPEAR WHEN SWITCHING TO HIGH BEAM WHILE DRIVING LEAVING YOU DRIVING IN THE DARK WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 21, 2015155,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT AT A CERTAIN ANGLE, THE HORN OF THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN MODULE RELATED TO THE AIR BAG AND A RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 31, 2014195,016 milesCT

FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE ROT/RUST. WAS TOLD BY ONE SHOP ABOUT IN 2013 THAT I HAD ALOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME WHEN THEY REPLACED MY RUSTED BRAKE LINES.. THIS WEEK IN OCTOBER 2014 I HAD TO REPLACE A RUSTY FILL PIPE FOR MY GAS AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAD MAJOR RUST ON THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE AND THAT A REAR END COLLISION OF ANY KIND COULD POTENTIALLY TOTAL MY CAR. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 14, 2014109,604 milesMA

BROUGHT 2002 MONTERO SPORT FOR INSPECTION INSPECTOR TOLD ME THE REAR FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE WAS ROTTEN VEHICLE WAS NOT TO BE DRIVEN. WHAT DO I DO WITH VEHICLE NOW THAT I JUST PAID IT OFF AND I CANT DRIVE? *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 21, 2013125,000 milesSC

2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT; THE CAR HORN/ALARM GOES OFF USUALLY WHEN A DROP OF TEMPERATURE OCCURS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. TO FIX ... HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL OF THE AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. VERY EXPENSIVE FOR A MECHANIC, OVER $1200. I HAVE TO UNHOOK MY BATTERY EVERY NIGHT AND ON COLDER DAYS. RESEARCHING ONLINE.....A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DISABLING THE HORN/ALARM SYSTEM AND DRIVING WITHOUT HORNS. OR THEY ARE TAMPERING WITH THE AIR BAG TO TRY AND FIX. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM....... TODAY I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE EVERY TIME I HOOKED THE BATTERY CABLE BACK UP THE HORN STAYED ON. I AM CONSIDERING DISABLING THE HORN ALTOGETHER. *TR

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › ExteriorCrash
Filed Aug 26, 2013PA

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR CHANGES AUTOMATICALLY TO NIGHT VISION YOU CAN NOT CHANGE IT BACK. IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE CARS BEHIND YOU WITH THE WAY IT CHANGES AND HOW CLOSE THEY ARE TO YOU. MY DAUGHTER BACKED INTO SOMEONE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT TELL THEY WERE BEHIND HER. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ALSO. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE MIRROR YOURSELF. AND YOU CAN'T. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 8, 201393,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTING AND THERE WERE TWENTY TWO INCH-LONG FRACTURES FOUND IN THE FRAME. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 23, 201182,000 milesPA

2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE HORN SOUNDS FOR NO REASON, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 55DEGREES. I MUST REMOVE THE FUSE TO SILENCE IT. IT IS STATE REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT. I CONTACTED THE LANCASTER, PA MITSUBISHI DEALER BUT THEY WON'T REPLY. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN THE WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 18 DEGREES. IT IS 8 MONTHS LATER AND A COLD AUGUST NIGHT TRIGGERED IT. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 29, 2010122,785 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED IT AND PUSHED IT INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,785.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Aug 12, 201067,037 milesWV

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK WHILE SHE WAS ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE FUEL STORAGE TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V319000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,037.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 26, 2010127,871 milesTX

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND HIT A CAR IN IT'S SIDE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLED ON IT'S LEFT SIDE AFTER IMPACT. I WAS THE ONLY FRONT PASSENGER. MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY HEAD ENDED UP HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 15, 2010182,071 milesLA

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL TIMES TO TAKE MY CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED AND/OR REPLACED. I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT LX THAT HAVE GIVEN ME DISCOMFORT WHEN HAVING TO STOP WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED ABOVE 45 MPH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE NUMBER OF TIME I HAVE REPLACE MY BRAKES ARE NOT NORMAL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD TO DO A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHAUL WHICH CAUSED ME TO GET 2ND AND 3RD OPINIONS WHICH IS COSTLY AS WELL. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE CHECKED ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR FOR ISSUES RELATED TO AND NOT RELATED TO CRASHES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 25, 2010108,069 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN IT WAS RAINING AND THE WIPERS WERE ON, THE LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER EXTENDED OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD BUT IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WIPER MOTOR. HE NOTICED THAT THE WIPER WAS ALSO SLIGHTLY DETACHED FROM THE METAL MOUNTING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,8069 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,8085.

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Feb 22, 201089,000 milesVA

HORN BUTTON WHEN THE ACCESSORY SOCKET IS IN USE OR NOT IN USE,THE HORN CONTINUES TO BLOW WHEN THE BUTTON IS RELEASED. THEREFORE THE FUSE TO THE HORN MUST BE DISCONNECTED AT ALL TIMES. I HAD IT PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IN ORDER TO HAVE THIS FIXED IT WILL COST $1300 BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG. IF IT WERE THE RELAY SWITCH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN $24. THIS IS NOT FROM WHAT I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT CONSUMERS MUST PAY FOR. I LIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION DONE EVERY YEAR AND THE FIRST THING THAT'S CHECKED IS THE HORN. HOW CAN SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE OPERABLE THAT'S OUT OF THE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR NOT BE A RECALL? THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2007 AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE ON THIS MATTER. EVERY YEAR I'VE BEEN SKATING BY CROSSING MY FINGERS AND HOPE THAT THE HORN WILL NOT SOUND OFF. HERE RECENTLY I CAN'T PUT THE FUSE IN AT ALL WITHOUT THE HORN CONTINUALLY SOUNDING OFF. IT SOUND LIKE SOMEONE IS JUST SITTING IN MY CAR HOLDING THEIR HAND DOWN ON THE HORN... THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2007 PRIMARILY WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE TO NOW 2010. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES IN THIS TIME FRAME WHERE I COULD HAVE USED THE HORN TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM ALMOST HITTING ME. *TR

20 of 54 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20091000Routine
20045100Routine
200331021Fatalities reported
2002 — this page54001Fatalities reported
200163130Routine
200097111Fatalities reported
199933340Routine
199835110Routine
199729110Routine

Compare every Montero Sport year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.