Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2004 Mitsubishi Montero Limited: Hydraulic Brake Booster is malfunctioning, making a ("gobble-gobble", squirrel-like chirping sound) almost every time the brake pedal is pressed. Hwy driving, without the use of brakes, the frequent "chirping" sounds still occur. Under medium to heavy braking, the vehicle shudders and shakes. This specific sound is made in all gear selections and even when the car's battery is on/engine off. Upon inspection of the hydraulic brake booster under the hood, the unit shakes when the chirp sound is made. Duration of the sound lasts around one second and it happens frequently (5-10 times per minute).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Montero. While driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to engage the brakes, the brake pedal was hard to depress. The emergency brake had to be activated in order to stop the vehicle. Also, the contact heard an abnormal noise from the driver side of the instrument panel when the brakes were applied. The dealer stated that the hydraulic booster system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously remedied according to NHTSA campaign number: 01V254001 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.
In 2007 I had the brakes to my 2003 mitsubushi Montero limited replaced because I felt they my truck would not stop as desired. After having the brakes replaced it appears that the problem became worse. I took my vehicle back to the dealer and they assured me that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. In dec 2007 I tried stopping in less than 3 inches of snow. My truck would not stop, I almost had an accident. When I hit the brakes it sounded and felt like the brakes were grinding or even a crunching sound. When driving in dry conditions the brakes appear to work very well but in wet or snow conditions it does not handle at all. Since then the front brakes was again replaced in nov 2008. Again on 27 jan 2009 I tried stopping in less than 2 inches of snow and the truck did not stop. I had to drive on the curb in order to stop. …
A siren sound came on. My husband proceeded to get of the road. In his attempt, the brakes became very hard to press. The vehicle continued to roll as the brakes were being applied. He the pull the emergency brakes to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Aaa was called to tow the vehicle to a auto shop. After a thorough check, the owner (master mechanic) disassemble the braking system to check if the booster had failed, he stated the vehicle did not have a booster. I picked the vehicle up on Friday, May 7 around 4:00 pm. After traveling approximately 1 mile, the siren noise came back on. We are awaiting to have the truck towed again on Monday.
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. …
The contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal felt sticky. Additionally, the contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal twice, the brake pedal vibrated and shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS system had failed due a faulty hydraulic pump and accumulator. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V254002 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,600.
Defective hydraulic brake booster accumulator (NHTSA id#01V254001) on my 2001 Montero caused my brakes to fail while stopping at an intersection which resulted with me rear ending another vehicle! This happened over 1 year ago and the defective part has been making a terrible sound while braking for over 2 years. Everytime I performed maintenance on my vehicle. No one could confirm what was causing this noise. I just found out today (06/08/2004) what the part is and that it's known to fail, causing crashes what happened on 03/10/2003. I was cited for "failure to yield, but contested that my brakes failed at the point of avoiding the car in front of me. I had the vehicle checked several times and no one knew what was wrong with the vehicle? The brakes would continue to fail if I came to a fast stop and I have been driving the vehicle very carefully since this accident. …
Related recalls (2)
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…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The front brake lines can develop pin holes due to chaffing against the edge of the pass-through hole in the inner fender.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front brake lines for signs of wear and routing. If the lines are not correctly centered in the pass-through hole, the lines will be repositioned by bending slightly to correct.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Montero years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (74), 2002 (68), 1997 (14), 2003 (11) and 1998 (10) model years. Brake complaints make up 45% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Montero brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 01V254001 (vacuum, Aug 3, 2001); 98V-220 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Sep 9, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Montero brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles; 12% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power assist › vacuum (40 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (33).
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.