Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mitsubishi Montero owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Engine replacement at 79K miles. February 04 I noticed a knocking sound coming from under the hood of the car. The Mitsubishi mechanic said it was coming from the engine but that he would just change the oil to see if that helped. The sales ticket said, no problem found . August 04 the knocking came back. On a trip the oil light came on but there was oil in the vehicle. We had the vehicle towed to Mitsubishi. The mechanic then confirmed that it was the engine. The pickup tube was clocked but the engine walls were clean. The result was to replace the engine. Mitsubishi would not cover the charges because it was pass the warranty mileage. No one can determine how the pickup tube was clogged with so much crud. However, Mitsubishi says that it does not matter if it was a defect in the pickup tube it was past the warranty.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer for routine maintenance. Months later, he took the vehicle to a different repair shop for an oil change and was advised that the former dealer did not reinstall the heat cover. Without the heat cover, there is no safeguard to the various hoses and components in the engine, which has several potential safety implications. He called the dealer again and was advised by the manager, tom wanster, that his heat cover was not left there; however, they did locate other heat covers for similar models. The manager would not provide him with any assistance. The contact filed a complaint with the federal trade commission. The failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 102,268.
At 35000, the trunk door latch mechanism is broken. At 57000 miles check engine light lit, caused by spark plugs or spark plug wires open. Replace all plugs and wires at dealership, cost $300.not covered by warranty. At 77000 miles, check engine light lit, dealership replaced catalytic converter under warranty but I pay for the oxygen sensor plus labor that goes with the catalyst.old parts not available. Car driven about 3 miles home from dealeship after replacing the cat. Converter, the check engine light lit again. Dealership checked and said another oxygen sensor is bad. Total 4 oxygen sensors in the system. Cost $230 to replace one sensor. I could not believe that these sensors will go bad at the same time. Is that a coinsidence or manufacturer parts defects???
Since I purchase this vehicle (2001 Mitsubishi Montero limited), I always had problem with the "check engine" light problem. The third day I got the vehicle from the alhambra Mitsubishi dealership, the light turn on. And always got the same reply " make sure the gas cap is closed properly". I had 5 cars and I never had any kind of problem like exept this Montero limited. My car has 63000miles right now, and the light will turn on every 2month. And now the vehicle has the light on again, and dealer will not do or care about the problem. This problem always happen when the car is going uphill or when it need power. Also the brake light keep failing.
PCM reprogramming for MIL on/DTC po125. Incorrect PCM software parameters cause the MIL("service engine soon) light to come on and diagnostic trouble code po125 to test to set. To eliminate this condition, reprograming the PCM is needed.after the reprograming the PCM, oxygen sensors on "2001 models only" need to be replaced and not covered by warranty.oxygen sensors need to be replaced to meet new parameters, not because the sensors are bad. Mitsubishi states these modiflcations have been approved as appropriate by epa and carb. Thanks in advance for your help. Robert s duke.
Consumer stated that she had 70,000 miles on vehicle and the engine blew out. When driving the air would blow, then when stopping the air would stop. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer, and was told that it looked as if the plastic tee in the heater line was busted. Then, she was told that it May the thermostat that was sticking. The next day while driving the vehicle just stopped. Had vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that motor blew out. She had no warning, because the indicator never showed that the vehicle was running hot.
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminates when towing, on steep grades, or even continuously. Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) p0125 is displayed indicating insufficient coolant temperature, even though actual coolant temperature is within normal range of 200 to 215 degrees. Replacement of coolant temperature sensors (2) and thermostat will not rectify this problem! This is a known computer error that Mitsubishi motors north America will not address or pay for the repair of. NHTSA item number: 10001033 mmna technical service bulletin: 0313001.
2001 Mitsubishi Montero; engine shot on the highway (nj turnpike). There was no oil warning. This is a life threatening issue-if I had been on the inner lane, I would have been dead. Vehicles on nj turnpike are traveling 60-80mph. Vehicle has been serviced on timely oil changes at jiffy lube. This should not have happened. It has 90K mlies on it, bought used, I owe $15K on it, it will cost $8K to fix. 2 yrs og payments to go.
The oil light indicator failed to warn that the oil in the engine was depleted until approx 30 seconds prior to the engine seizing. The rods cracked the engine and broke the head gasket mixing oil and water together. Everything shut down in seconds. No warning whatsoever. Dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis-------770762.
Engine complaints in other Montero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero, 14% of the model year's 166 complaints. The component named most often is engine (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mitsubishi Montero engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Mitsubishi Montero engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
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.