Mitsubishi Montero Problems by Year

We compared every Mitsubishi Montero model year from 1995–2004 using 662 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 10 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 1998 and 1995, which drew far more complaints than other Montero years at the same age. The best years are 2004, 1996 and 2003.

10model years
662complaints
10recalls
2001, 2002worst years
2004, 1996best years

Complaints by model year

1995199619971998199920002001200220032004862763744051166111395
Owner complaints per model year, Mitsubishi Montero. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20045−93%3BrakeGood
200339−47%2BrakeGood
20021111.6×3BrakeCaution
20011662.3×4BrakeAvoid
200051−19%2BodyAverage
199940−39%2SuspensionAverage
1998741.5×4SuspensionCaution
1997631.2×2EngineAverage
199627−51%2EngineGood
1995861.5×2EngineCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Montero year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mitsubishi Montero problems

Latest Mitsubishi Montero recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V-035 · Jan 23, 2020 · 18,123 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 04V-428 · Sep 1, 2004 · 100,432 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage

NHTSA recall 04V-319 · Jul 6, 2004 · 44,214 vehicles

On certain sport utility vehicles, when the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is parked facing forward on an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve May not maintain proper sealing in the event the fuel expands from a rise in the ambient temperature.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the leveling valve. The recall began on August 30, 2004. Owners should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 or Mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 04V-095 · Feb 20, 2004 · 491 vehicles

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.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 04V-067 · Feb 11, 2004 · 134,000 vehicles

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.

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.

All 10 Mitsubishi Montero recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mitsubishi Montero should you avoid?

2001, 2002, 1998 and 1995 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Montero years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2001.

What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Montero?

2004 has the fewest complaints compared with other Montero years at the same age, followed by 1996 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 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (203), engine & cooling (119) and suspension (63). Brake complaints peak in the 2001 model year.

How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Montero had?

10 recalls across 1995–2004. The model year with the most is 1998. See all Mitsubishi Montero 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.