RoadVitals

2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
63
Latest Aug 24, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 5, 2001
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 63 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 74 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes1823.7%
  • Electrical1114.5%
  • Airbags79.2%
  • Transmission67.9%
  • Steering67.9%
  • Engine67.9%
  • Fuel system45.3%
  • Suspension33.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Feb 5, 2001
19,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH NONCOMPLIANT BRAKE VACUUM HOSES.
The risk: THESE HOSES COULD BURST CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 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.
MITSUBISHI AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Aug 24, 2024

On multiple occasions, the horn itself will start blowing without command. After pressing the horn to alert another driver, the horn will then stick again. There are repairs where 3m tape is applied to the horn switch behind the airbag, however it is not a professional repair and looks like it could potentially cause the horn to blow without command again.

NHTSA ID
11610655
Incident
Aug 20, 2024
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 24, 2022

4 wh drive light flashes no apparent reason no issues makes the anti lock light come on and also the abs light worried cause a prob wit the brakes or something

NHTSA ID
11494826
Incident
Mar 8, 2022
Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 2021

Brake lines completely rusted through and I lost all brakes while heading to work, thankfully I was able to pull the emergency brake to slow down and I coasted through a red light blowing my horn so I was not hit. I bought this vehicle brand new with only 3 miles on it and ever since I initially got it , it began to rust. Clearly it was not rust treated as everything under the body and alot under the hood is rusted. There is even metal inside of the vehicle cabin that is rusted, like the gas cap lever. This vehicle should have been recalled many years ago like the Outlander due to all of the rust the vehicle gets under it causing thing to fail while its being driven. My vehicle just has a little over 100,000 miles on it and it now sits after that brake incident as I am afraid to drive it seeing all of the rust under it. Even the running boards are all rusted underneath. I am sure that everyone with this model vehicle has experienced the same problem but these vehicles are dangerous on the roads due to everything on them rusting .

NHTSA ID
11437025
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2018

I DROVE MY FAMILY TO THEIR DOCTOR APP. AND WHEN I WAS PARKED GASOLINE WAS DRIPPING DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS REAR TIRE ONTO THE PAVEMENT UPON INSPECTION I SAW GASOLINE RUNNING OFF OF THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK I THEN WENT AND TOLD THE PARKING LOT ATTENDANT WHAT WAS HAPPENING HE THEN HAD TO BLOCKADE THAT AREA OF THE PARKING LOT OFF. I HAD CALL TO GET US A RIDE HOME . I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT AND HE FOUND THE STEEL GAS LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU ON THE PRESSURE SIDE AND THE RETURN LINE AS WELL UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND SEVERE FRAME ROT AND SAID IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION WHEN IT COMES DUE NEXT TIME.

NHTSA ID
11075965
Incident
Feb 15, 2018
Mileage
187,985 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 29, 2017

THIS WEEK I HAVE HAD TWO OCCURRENCES WHERE THE HORN JUST STARTS BLARING AND WON'T STOP. ONCE WAS IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THE OTHER WAS AT 5:00 AM. MY ONLY DIY ALTERNATIVES ARE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (OBVIOUSLY CAN'T USE THE VEHICLE), OR REMOVE THE FUSE (VERY UNSAFE). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, NO WEATHER PROBLEMS, TEMPERATURE WAS MILD (AROUND 70 DEGREES). PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, THE HORN RARELY WORKED AT ALL; AT LEAST NOT WHEN I WANTED IT TO WORK. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT APPEAR TO BE VERY WIDESPREAD ON THIS VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT, IT INVOLVES REMOVING THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY, SO GETTING IT FIXED IS VERY COSTLY (OVER $1000). I EXPECT TO SPEND SOME MONEY ON A FEW ITEMS HERE & THERE ON A 16 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, BUT I DON'T EXPECT TO SPEND OVER $ 1000 ON A VEHICLE JUST TO MAKE THE HORN WORK RIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10969265
Incident
Mar 25, 2017
Mileage
148,000 mi
Filed Aug 4, 2016

FRAME IS RUSTING TO A POINT WHERE IT'S BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TENDS TO SHIFT BACK AND FORTH IN THE REAR. A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE POINTED OUT THE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH FRAME NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
10893307
Incident
Aug 4, 2016
Mileage
199,700 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING PUMP PULLEY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10672312
Incident
Dec 28, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Oct 31, 2014

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONTO SHOULDER. AFTER CHECKING I NOTICED THE FRAME HAD RIPPED ,BROKEN OFF. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED FOR 3-4 FEET. FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE REAR WHEEL . AFTER INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE FRAME THE DRIVER SIDE IS UNAFFECTED WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS POOR METAL/FRAME FROM THE FACTORY,NO ANTY CORROSION WAS APPLY TO THE METAL FRAME FROM MITSUBISHI FACTORY.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10651556
Incident
Oct 28, 2014
Mileage
113,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

TSB-23-00-004

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

TSB-23-00-001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

TSB-22-54-003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

TT253

EQUIPMENT

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Montero Sport by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009100
2004510
2003310042.3
2002540148.3
2001Viewing631045.6
2000971046.4
1999333053.7
1998351045.6
1997291043.3
1996000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.