2001 Mitsubishi Montero

Routine

Owners filed 166 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › power assist › vacuum. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

109 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 107,371 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum22
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
000
Service Brakes16
100
Electrical System › Horn8
000
Electrical System8
000
Air Bags › Frontal7
7011
Suspension6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling5
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Other › Labels04V428000
Filed Sep 1, 2004100,432 vehiclesMitsubishi Caribbean

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy. MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual04V067000
Filed Feb 11, 2004134,000 vehiclesMitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.

Risk. IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy. A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum01V254001
Filed Aug 3, 200139,020 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR.

Risk. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACCUMULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 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.

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior00V123002
Filed May 1, 20004,275 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Risk. THIS LIMITS THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 20, 2022145,600 milesOR

The contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal felt sticky. Additionally, the contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal twice, the brake pedal vibrated and shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS system had failed due a faulty hydraulic pump and accumulator. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V254002 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,600.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 3, 2022NY

Reporting - safety recall as stated on NY state fail inspection. Emissions issues Émission results- MIL commanded “fail” Code P0136-O2 Sensor Code PO455 -Evaporative emission system leak

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 18, 2021CA

After googling and doing a little reaching I found out it is a very common problem amongst these vehicles that the horn starts blaring in the early morning hours non stop until unplugging the fuse or battery. I have to remove the fuse therefore I’m unsafe knowing that I’m driving without any communication with other vehicles. It is a very expensive repair that most people can’t afford so they’re left doing what I learned to do which puts a lot of people in danger. Please help with this safety concern.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 17, 2020172,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ALSO WHILE AT A STAND STILL, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACCUMULATOR FAILURE WAS COMING FROM THE ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254002 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 11, 2020206,000 milesCA

THE BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IS LEAKING SO IT MAKES A 'CHIRPING' SOUND FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A RECOGNIZED FAULT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED I DID NOT GET NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL SO DID NOT GET IT FIXED. IT HAS NOW BECOME A PROBLEM WHICH I AM TOLD COULD CAUSE THE BRAKES TO FAIL, OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MITSUBISHI AND THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 5, 2019228,983 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE HEARD AN ABNORMAL CHIRPING SOUND AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE SOUND ORIGINATED FROM THE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,983.

Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2018225,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO TIMES ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT GUIDE PIN FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.

Unknown or OtherFire1 injured
Filed Oct 13, 2017230,000 milesIL

ON 9/4/2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 615AM THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. 10 MINUTES LATER OUR PUPPY WAS BARKING AT THE DOOR LEADING TO GARAGE. HUSBAND WENT TO SEE WHY AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DOOR. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND THE GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE AND THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENTLY THIS LED TO MY ENTIRE HOME BURNING DOWN.

Steering
Filed Sep 5, 20177,500 milesWA

STABILITY FAILURE AND LIGHTS DEFECT

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 23, 2016178,000 milesTX

HORN ON CAR STARTS BLOWING FOR UNKNOWN REASON, CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND WAS VERY COLD. I WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF HORN TRIGGER WAS SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2016TX

ABS ACCUMULATOR FAILURE AND NOISE

Electrical System
Filed Oct 26, 2016150,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SOUNDED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISABLED TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Structure › Body
Filed May 13, 2016CT

THE CAR/SUV STILL RUNS LIKE NEW, IT PASSES INSPECTION ,EVERY TIME ! IT NEVER FAILED INSPECTION. THE BODY ROT AND RUSTED FRAME LEAD TO MY SPARE TIRE FALL OFF THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2001 AND TAUGHT MY KIDS TO DRIVE WITH IT. WHEN I TOOK THE VECHILE TO FIRESTONE THRE MANAGER DIDN'T EVEN WANT IT ON THE LIFT STATING HE DIDN'T WANT HIS MEN TO GET HURT IF THE FRAME DECIDED TO BRAKE. HE WOULD NOT WORK ON THE CAR ANYMORE AND TOLD ME TO GET RID OF IT, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND BUT AFTER EYEING FOR MYSELF AND EXPERIENCING THE TIRE DROP OUT OF ITS WELL. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION I GOT THAT AND IT WAS THE SAME RESPONSE. I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW VECHILE AT THE TIME . IT WAS MY SECOND VECHILE I USED ON WEEKENDS DOING CRAFT EVENTS BUT SOMETIMES I WOULD TRAVEL FAR TO NJ, NY, NH , VA.. IT'S WAS TOO THE POINT WHEN THE VENDORS SAW ME COMING TO EVENTS THEY WORRIED ABOUT MY TRAVEL WITH. THE VECHILE. IT HAS SENTIMENTAL VALUE TO MY I LOST MY DAUGHTER IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND KEEPING THE SUV I FEEL LIKE MY MEMORIES OF HER ARE STILL WITH ME POSITIVELY AND FRESH, LASTING, LOVING. AFTER SHE PAST I SAID I WOULD NEVER GET RID OF THE SUV. TODAY THE PLATES ARE OFF ITS STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND STILL RUNNING. I FEEL THE FRAME SHOULD HAVE LASTED A LOT LONGER, IT HAS SOME BODY RUST AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS . IT'S PAID FOR AND RUNNING I NEVER MISSED A BEAT WITH THE OIL CHANGES ETC. I WANT TO KEEP THE CAR, BUT CAN'T NOT AND I AM DEVASTATED TO RID MY SELF OF O

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 27, 2016170,000 milesKY

GAS LEAK FROM THE FRONT MOUNT AREA OF THE SENDING UNIT ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. SIGNIFICANT LEAK, ODOR OF GAS OVERWHELMING. QUOTED $1200 TO REPAIR. ALL SALVAGED TANKS/KITS IN SIMILAR CONDITION. FIRE HAZARD, AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY AUTO MASTERS TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT LEAKS WHEN IT IS RUNNING DUE TO THE BUILT UP PRESSURE. NOW HARD TO START BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE (BEING LOST FROM THE LEAK). ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 201550,895 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,895.

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 3, 2015352,478 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HORN SOUNDED LOUDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN FAILED AND THE HORN MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 352,478. MA 10/15/2015

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2015CO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES BECAME HARDER TO DEPRESS AND THE ANTI-BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Service Brakes
Filed May 14, 2015203,730 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,730.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 2015170,000 milesTN

THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER, MANUFACTURED BY AISIN, FAILED DUE TO A WORN OUT PUMP MOTOR. THIS IS A BRUSHED MOTOR WITH NO SERVICE INTERVAL SO MUCH AS MENTIONED IN EITHER THE OWNERS MANUAL OR THE FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL. MOREOVER, YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE BRUSHES FOR THE MOTOR FROM THE DEALER OR ANYONE ELSE. HERE IS A PHOTO OF THE MOTOR: HTTP://I.IMGUR.COM/DUI0X0K.JPG AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THIS WAS TAKEN AFTER IT WAS CLEANED WITH COMPRESSED AIR. THE MOTOR WAS FILLED WITH THE REMAINS OF THE BRUSHES AND COMMUTATOR. IT IS EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO POWER A BREAKING SYSTEM WITH SUCH A LOW QUALITY MOTOR AND NOT EVEN GIVE IT A SERVICE INTERVAL. WHEN THIS MOTOR FAILS, SO DO THE BRAKES. EVERY SINGLE GENERATION THREE MONTERO WILL SUFFER FROM THIS FAILURE, SOME CATASTROPHICALLY. AS MORE VEHICLES RELY ON ELECTRIC POWER TO STOP, THIS IS SURELY GOING TO BE AN ISSUE THAT NHTSA WILL BE DEALING WITH. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 30, 2014150,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20 of 166 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20064000Routine
20051000Routine
20045300Routine
200339210Routine
2002111311Fatalities reported
2001 — this page166420Routine
200051210Routine
199940221Fatalities reported
199874400Routine
199763240Routine
199627200Routine
199586202Fatalities reported
199431501Fatalities reported
199314300Routine
199212400Routine
199118220Routine
199023120Routine

Compare every Montero year →

Reading this record

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: Sep 1, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.