2002 Mitsubishi Montero: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 111 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (42% of complaints); the 2000 and 2003 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My horn goes off when I turn the steering wheel or hit bumps when driving and when parked and turned off, if its close to freezing it will go off constantly early in the morning before dawn and I have to disconnect the battery or pull the fuse for the horn under the hood fuse panel to stop it. I can't drive it with a horn fuse in and have tried replacing the steering wheel airbag and it still has the same problem. My neighbor had the same issue on his 04 Jeep and his car was fixed with an airbag actuator recall. No warning lights ever come on. Only my mechanic has looked at the vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2023
“I was driving down the highway, without any prior indication the brake light, and break alarm came on and my breaks went out. All at the same.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2022
“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?”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall I have problem with my security alarm system it goes off for no reason and also the horn when the weather drops cold the horn going off continuously my mechanic change the horn relay more than 3 times but the issue still the same. I don't understand these two issues are connected or not but I need help.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2017
“While driving on central street in hoffman estates, il the brake light & ABS light came on. Also an alarm sounded. Loss all brakes. We were just going to go on the highway 90. This could of ended up deadly. Upon inspection by pep boys, it was the hydraulic brake booster has failed. The suv can not be driven until this part is replaced. I have new brakes on the suv. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2016
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving 5 mph, an abnormal screeching noise was heard when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01v254001 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving various speeds, the transfer case warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front transfer case sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2016
“I took my truck for a frame inspection, frame was rend endeared unsafe and rusted all the way through. Body & engine are intact. New frame is 10,000.00. The mechanic told me their were numerous complaints about this years frame. He said the metal was dipped correctly. I can obtain a written report. I also called mitsubishi & they said they could not offer any compensation.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2015
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
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.
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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Montero by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
NHTSA has 111 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Montero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.