Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | −87% | 1 | Fuel System | Good |
| 2003 | 31 | −26% | — | Engine | Average |
| 2002 | 54 | 1.7× | — | Brake | Caution |
| 2001 | 63 | 2.0× | 1 | Brake | Avoid |
| 2000 | 97 | 2.7× | 1 | Brake | Avoid |
| 1999 | 33 | 1.2× | 3 | Engine | Average |
| 1998 | 35 | −19% | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 1997 | 29 | −32% | 1 | Engine | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Montero Sport year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems
Latest Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls
Equipment › Other › Labels
On certain sport utility vehicles, the vehicle capacity weights as stated on the tire and loading information label are in error.
Remedy: Owners will be sent replacement labels with instructions on how to install them. The recall began on April 14, 2004. Owners should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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…
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles: mirage model vehicles equipped with 1.5l engines; montero sport models equipped with 3.0l engines; and montero models equipped with 3.0l engines. The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose and the pulley could fall off the vehicle.
Remedy: On the mirage vehicles, the dealers will install a new, improved crankshaft pulley bolt on the older engines. On new engines which already have the improved bolt, the dealer will tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to…
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive and automatic transmissions. Automatic transmission fluid could be vented onto the hot exhaust system as a result of unanticipated heat generation in the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the transmission control unit to limit vehicle speed to below approximately 30 miles per hour when the vehicle is operated in the four-wheel-drive low range, an additional label describing the proper…
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport should you avoid?
2000, 2001 and 2002 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Montero Sport years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2000.
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
2004 has the fewest complaints compared with other Montero Sport years at the same age, followed by 1997 and 2003. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (70), brakes (58) and transmission & drivetrain (42). Engine complaints peak in the 1997 model year.
How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Montero Sport had?
4 recalls across 1997–2004. The model year with the most is 1999. See all Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.