2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT

0 recalls — 43 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

43 total complaints 10 crashes 2 fires 5 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
ENGINE5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR2
SERVICE BRAKES2
SUSPENSION2
WHEELS Jun 9, 2017
Incident date: May 11, 2017
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jun 9, 2017
Incident date: May 11, 2017
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
AIR BAGS Jun 9, 2017
Incident date: May 11, 2017
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jun 1, 2017
Incident date: May 20, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN A OIL LEEK ACCOR IN DUE TIME IT AUTOMATICALLY DRIPS DIRECTLY ON ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS.ALSO THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM DOESN'T FUNCTION A READING ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC WHEN FINDING ISSUE
ENGINE Jun 1, 2017
Incident date: May 20, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN A OIL LEEK ACCOR IN DUE TIME IT AUTOMATICALLY DRIPS DIRECTLY ON ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS.ALSO THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM DOESN'T FUNCTION A READING ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC WHEN FINDING ISSUE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 1, 2017
Incident date: May 20, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN A OIL LEEK ACCOR IN DUE TIME IT AUTOMATICALLY DRIPS DIRECTLY ON ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS.ALSO THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM DOESN'T FUNCTION A READING ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC WHEN FINDING ISSUE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jul 8, 2015
Incident date: Jun 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V319000 (FUEL SYSTEM, ... Read more
ENGINE Jun 15, 2015
Incident date: Aug 15, 2014
PIN IN THE HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLING A/C BELT AND DRIVE BELT CAUSING HARMONIC BALANCER TO SEIZE UP. PIN WAS REPLACED. MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON SHOWING A CODE OF MISFIRE. AS WELL AS HARMONIC BALANCER COMING LOOSE...**5/5/15**..... BELTS COME OFF ON ... Read more
AIR BAGS Feb 11, 2015
Incident date: Feb 9, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHILE STEERING ABRUPTLY, THE VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES LANDING ON ITS ROOF. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTIO... Read more
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 27, 2014
Incident date: Jun 26, 2014
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES Jun 27, 2014
Incident date: Jun 26, 2014
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
Crash
AIR BAGS Jun 27, 2014
Incident date: Jun 26, 2014
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
Crash
ENGINE May 1, 2014
Incident date: Apr 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MADE A KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 10, 2014
Incident date: Dec 18, 2013
VERY COLD NIGHT , SUB ZERO. HORN STARTED BLOWING AND CONTINUED UNTIL FUSE BURNT OUT. LEFT STRONG BURNT WIRING SMELL. *TR
ENGINE Dec 4, 2013
Incident date: Nov 29, 2013
I WAS PULLING IN A SHEETS STATION AND GOING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND WHEN I LEFT GO THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE KEPT MOVING AND CRASHED INTO A RED POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE THEN I NOTICED THE GAS PEDAL COMING BACK UP AND WAS ABLE TO ,PUT IN REVERSE AN... Read more
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Dec 4, 2013
Incident date: Nov 29, 2013
I WAS PULLING IN A SHEETS STATION AND GOING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND WHEN I LEFT GO THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE KEPT MOVING AND CRASHED INTO A RED POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE THEN I NOTICED THE GAS PEDAL COMING BACK UP AND WAS ABLE TO ,PUT IN REVERSE AN... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES Aug 30, 2012
Incident date: Aug 29, 2012
I JUST PICKED UP MY SON'S VEHICLE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE WHERE I HAD JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOR HIM. I WAS ON THE WAY TO MEET MY HUSBAND AT THE GROCERY STORE BUT NEEDED TO DROP OFF SOME LETTERS AT THE OUTDOOR MAIL BOX AT THE POST OFFICE WHICH WAS < 1/4 MILE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE... Read more
ENGINE Aug 30, 2012
Incident date: Aug 29, 2012
I JUST PICKED UP MY SON'S VEHICLE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE WHERE I HAD JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOR HIM. I WAS ON THE WAY TO MEET MY HUSBAND AT THE GROCERY STORE BUT NEEDED TO DROP OFF SOME LETTERS AT THE OUTDOOR MAIL BOX AT THE POST OFFICE WHICH WAS < 1/4 MILE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Dec 8, 2008
Incident date: Dec 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BACKWARDS AND HESITATE. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR IN PARK, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE MINOR AND COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE ... Read more
Fire
SEAT BELTS Aug 23, 2008
Incident date: Aug 22, 2008
I REAR-ENDED AN SUV GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH, THROWING MY UPPER BODY FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POLICE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END ... Read more
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 23, 2008
Incident date: Aug 22, 2008
I REAR-ENDED AN SUV GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH, THROWING MY UPPER BODY FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POLICE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END ... Read more
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Jan 3, 2008
Incident date: Dec 1, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WORKED SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD CONTINUE TO SOUND UNLESS THE FUSE WAS DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER OR ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Nov 15, 2006
Incident date: Sep 3, 2006
HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT 3.5 L V6 ENGINE. 1. NO PRECEDING EVENT, CAR STARTED IDLING ROUGH WHEN FIRST STARTED. IDLE SMOOTHES AFTER A SHORT TIME. 2. RIGHT SIDE HEAD GASKET STARTED LEAKING COOLANT INTO CYL #2 AT 30K MILES, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LEFT SIDE HEAD GASKET ... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Mar 6, 2006
Incident date: Mar 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON ROUGH SLIPPERY ROADS THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD. AFTER PULLING BACK ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED FISH TAILING AND WENT OVER A TWENTY FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE UPROOTED A TREE. DURING THIS TIME THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MODERAT... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SUSPENSION May 20, 2005
Incident date: May 1, 2005
2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE BOTTOMING OUT WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD AND BOUNCES WHEN DRIVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE WITH 1/8 TO 1/4 INCHES OF PLAY. T... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 3, 2005
Incident date: Dec 7, 2004
I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT WITH A 3.0 ENGINE. THE CAM SHAFT CAME APART AND THE MITSUBISHI REP REFUSE TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE SUV NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. WHAT HAPPEN TO CUSTOMER SERVICE? ... Read more
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY Sep 30, 2004
Incident date: Sep 25, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SWERVED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLES BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
SUSPENSION Sep 9, 2004
Incident date: Sep 9, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE OR AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD VIBRATION PROBLEMS. ... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 9, 2004
Incident date: Sep 9, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE OR AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD VIBRATION PROBLEMS. ... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Aug 27, 2004
Incident date: Jan 1, 2004
BY 20,000 MILES THE TRUCK'S FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE SO OUT OF ROUND THAT THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DURRING BRAKING. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE BRAKE PADS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRENTY. THIS IS REDICULOUS. I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO H... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL Aug 20, 2004
Incident date: Aug 17, 2004
THE OWNER SMELLED GASOLINE FUEL WHEN OPERATING VEHICLE AND STARTING IT ONE LAST TIME, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS LOSS WAS INVESTIGATED BY SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIONS 800-779-2858. THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE VALVE WAS LOOSE, AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK AND START A FIRE.*AK
Fire 1 injured 1 deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Jan 28, 2004
Incident date: Dec 27, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DASHBOARD LIGHTS REFLECTED ON THE EXTERNAL REAR VIEW MIRROR AT NIGHT. CONSUMER CONSIDERED THE REFLECTION VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. *AK SPEEDOMETER REFLECTS OFF DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND ONTO THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR. *LA
STRUCTURE Jan 27, 2004
Incident date: Oct 7, 2003
I BOUGHT THE TRUCK ON A CLOUDY DAY. WHEN THE SUN HIT IT, IT HAD SWIRL MARKS BURNT INTO IT FROM WHERE IT WAS BUFFED AT THE FACTORY. WHEN TURNED IN THEY BUFFED IT AGAIN. NOW THAT IT RAINED IT STILL SHOWS ALL. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS SEVERE LAG AND SOMETIMES WON'T SHIFT AT ALL.... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jan 27, 2004
Incident date: Oct 7, 2003
I BOUGHT THE TRUCK ON A CLOUDY DAY. WHEN THE SUN HIT IT, IT HAD SWIRL MARKS BURNT INTO IT FROM WHERE IT WAS BUFFED AT THE FACTORY. WHEN TURNED IN THEY BUFFED IT AGAIN. NOW THAT IT RAINED IT STILL SHOWS ALL. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS SEVERE LAG AND SOMETIMES WON'T SHIFT AT ALL.... Read more
STEERING Jan 23, 2004
Incident date: Aug 3, 2003
VEHICLE SWAYS, WONDERS ON THE ROAD AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE. ALSO, IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS LOOSE UNDER THE FRONT END. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE FEELS EXACTLY THAT WHICH I AM DESCRIBING BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG A... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS Jan 2, 2004
Incident date: Jan 2, 2004
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED EVERY 3,000-4,000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS DRIVER'S ABUSE THAT CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS/PADS. CONSUMER WAS FURIOUS. CURRENTLY, AFTER 4,000 MILES. BRAKES WERE SHOT.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Jan 2, 2004
Incident date: Jan 2, 2004
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED EVERY 3,000-4,000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS DRIVER'S ABUSE THAT CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS/PADS. CONSUMER WAS FURIOUS. CURRENTLY, AFTER 4,000 MILES. BRAKES WERE SHOT.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 23, 2003
THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE BULBS WERE GOOD THEREFORE IT'S PROBABLE THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A RELAY DEFECT. THE HORN WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE HORN WOULD BLOW BUT WOULDN'T STOP. THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE FUSE IN ORDER TO GET THE HORN TO STOP BLOWING. PROVIDE FURTHER ANT ADDITIONAL I... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 28, 2003
Incident date: Sep 15, 2003
2ND TIMEINTO DAELER FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WILL HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. FIRST TIME DEALER UNSURE OF THE CAUSE OR HOW TO FIX HAD VEHICLE IN SHOP ALMOST 2 WEEKS. 2ND TIME, DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE OVER 2 WEEKS AND STILL NOT FIXED ,SAID COULD BE 1 OF 3 THINGS. THE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Sep 10, 2003
Incident date: Jun 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 30, 2003
Incident date: Jul 19, 2003
VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN A RESTAURANT DRIVE THRU LANE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT.
Crash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jun 6, 2003
WHEN IT IS COLD VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE. IT TAKES ABOUT 30 TO 40 SECONDS, AND THEN VEHICLE JUMPS INTO GEAR. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Apr 7, 2003
Incident date: Apr 1, 2003
VEHICLE WON'T ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE (ACTS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL). ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD (UNDER 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE). SOMETIMES WILL SLAM INTO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS IN OUR OPINION. VEHICLE HAS 146 MILES. DEALER HAD VEHICLE TWICE FOR 2... Read more

NHTSA Safety Investigations — MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ06007 Opened: May 24, 2006 — Closed: Oct 12, 2006
RQ — Closed — Model Year: 2002
BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE
IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUB... Read more

MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT across all model years (1997–2004).

8 Total Recalls
453 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
77 Reported Crashes
13 Reported Fires
4 Reported Deaths

MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2009 0 3 View
2004 1 6 View
2003 (current) 0 43
2002 0 63 View
2001 1 80 View
2000 1 128 View
1999 3 48 View
1998 1 44 View
1997 1 37 View

Other MITSUBISHI Models

Model Recalls Complaints
OUTLANDER 352 1,784 View
OUTLANDER PHEV 157 36 View
ECLIPSE 131 2,788 View
OUTLANDER SPORT 91 719 View
LANCER 69 1,136 View
GALANT 65 2,435 View
MIRAGE 53 941 View
MONTERO 47 994 View