2003 Mitsubishi Montero: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (13% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks 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 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated when the vehicle was purchased from the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had a strong hesitation as the failure progressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle started to veer to the left independently. The contact stopped on the shoulder to check the tire pressure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic. The technician put the vehicle on the lift and diagnosed that the entire sub frame was severely corroded. The technician stated that the repairs would have been more than what the vehicle was worth. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.”Owner report · Structure · May 2015
“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 4:00pm. After traveling approximately 1 mile, the siren noise came back on. We are awaiting to have the truck towed again on monday. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“The horn goes off by itself the pads where stuck and it cost $1000 to repair since it needs to remove the steering airbag,this should be on a recall.this has a lot of problems who has same model on mitsubishi forums found here http://mitsubishiforum.com/forum/mitsubishi-montero-montero-sport-14/horn-activate-itself-01-montero-ltd-28034/. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph down a slight incline, the brake pedal failed to respond and the vehicle was shifted to neutral in order to stop. The contact also stated that the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero. The contact heard a loud piercing sound when the ignition was started. All of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 230,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2014
“I was driving, started hearing oozing sound then I applied brakes, very hard and won't go down. Then I pulled over the side curb and the curb stopped the card. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2013
“My hydraulic brake stop working I have to use the emergency brake the repair is 2500 my car is a 2003 with 90000 mile. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the brakes failed. The contact mentioned that the ABS, emergency brake, and traction control warning lamps illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the electric motor in the hydraulic brake booster unit failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 135,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel and a container had to be used to keep the fuel from leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel was seeping through the fuel tank. The dealer advised that the fuel vac and vapor filter needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v319000 (fuel system: gasoline storage) and provided no further assistance. The failure and the current mileages were 67,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Montero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,500 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have open recalls?
2 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.