Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mitsubishi Montero owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The power brake master cylinder power booster accumulator is defective as outlined ion your recall 01-v254-001. I made an appointment at bergstrom automotive appleton wi to repair the problem. They informed me that it is not included in the recall due to the time my vehicle was built and indicted that they did not have the part. Please be known that my vehicle has the recall problem as stated in the NHTSA notification. They claimed my vehicle does not qualify for the recall due to the production date of my vehicle but I did not care we just needed to get the car fixed. An appointment was made on 7/20/15 to have the repair made. Bergstrom confirmed on 7/14/15 that the parts arrived. An appointment was made for 7/24/15 to fix the accumulator. We drove 2 hours to the bergstrom's for this appointment, waited 2 1/2 hours in their show room for them to make the repair, and drove 2 hours home. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH and heard a loud squeaking noise when depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection of the failure. On one occasion while approaching a traffic stop, the contact applied the brakes but the brakes did not respond. As a result, the contact was involved in a crash. On another occasion, the contact crashed into a fire hydrant as a result of the brakes failing to engage. The contact was not injured in either crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised that the ABS module pump needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 01V254001 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum) and contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall. …
Loud noise front driver side dashboard chirping and vibrating . When I applied brakes it was like u had no brakes I applied it again n the pedal went all the way down at the same time there was a clicking noise coming from dash board I tried to stop the car after several attempts I was able to pull over hitting the side rail of the freeway . At the moment the ABS lights came in turn the car off once we turned the car back on the brakes seemed to be working just fine but know I'm unable to drive it this is the 5 time this has happened since. I took it in to a shop close to my home the mechanic advised me to call the dealership because there is a recall on the booster accumulation system default I called Mitsubishi and no one had helped me.. I have a car that has a default not from wear n tear. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that a loud grinding sound emitted from the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed while reversing from a parking space. In addition, while driving at various speeds, a squealing sound was heard coming from the hood of the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic brake booster accumulator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V254001 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the ABS delayed to engage and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS failed. The contact stated that the front driver side axle was replaced. The failure was not corrected. The contact also heard an abnormal noise while driving. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the brake accumulator failed. The manufacturer was advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V254001 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that while applying the brakes, a clicking sound was heard as smoke was emitted from the driver's side. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the braking system was vibrating. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer or a local mechanic. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign I.d. Number 01V254001 (service brakes, hydraulic) and called the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the recall was closed. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. While driving 5 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal noise was heard from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake booster vacuum accumulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 01V254001 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle made a chirping sound. The brakes failed to respond and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were both made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V254002 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
A/l brake light goes off everytime brake pedals is applied accompanied with an abnormal noise from the dash. There is a NHTSA campaign #01V254002 about a brake booster accumulator defect. I took it to the dealer for possible recall fix but got denied since its not part of their recall campaign. Shouldnt this be part of a recall campaign since its a safety issue? Do I need to wait until the brakes fail and get into an accident?
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
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.
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…
NHTSA investigations
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 Mitsubishi montero vehicles produced from December 12, 1999 through June 20, 2001.
Brake complaints in other Montero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero, 61% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mitsubishi Montero brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V254001 (vacuum, Aug 3, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Montero brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.