AirbagsFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Jun 9, 2017
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
- NHTSA ID
- 10994069
- Incident
- May 11, 2017
- Mileage
- 230,000 mi
2003 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.
31
Latest Jun 9, 2017
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.
0
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.
8
4 injuries, 1 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and transmission categories. 38 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 3 |
| Sep 2003 | 2 | 5 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 6 |
| Jan 2004 | 3 | 9 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 10 |
| Aug 2004 | 2 | 12 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 13 |
| Oct 2004 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2005 | 1 | 15 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 16 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 17 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 18 |
| Jan 2008 | 1 | 19 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 20 |
| Dec 2008 | 1 | 21 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 22 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 23 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 24 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 25 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 26 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 27 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 28 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 29 |
| Jun 2017 | 2 | 31 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine921.4%
- Airbags511.9%
- Transmission511.9%
- Fuel system49.5%
- Electrical49.5%
- Brakes49.5%
- Driver assistance37.1%
- Suspension37.1%
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
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 1, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN A OIL LEEK ACCOR IN DUE TIME IT AUTOMATICALLY DRIPS DIRECTLY ON ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS.ALSO THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM DOESN'T FUNCTION A READING ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC WHEN FINDING ISSUE
- NHTSA ID
- 10992777
- Incident
- May 20, 2017
- Mileage
- 100 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V319000 (FUEL SYSTEM, PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10732692
- Incident
- Jun 20, 2015
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2015
PIN IN THE HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLING A/C BELT AND DRIVE BELT CAUSING HARMONIC BALANCER TO SEIZE UP. PIN WAS REPLACED. MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON SHOWING A CODE OF MISFIRE. AS WELL AS HARMONIC BALANCER COMING LOOSE...**5/5/15**..... BELTS COME OFF ON HIGH WAY DOING ABOUT 70 MPH. HARMONIC BALANCER LOOSE AGAIN. CRANK BOLT STUCK AND UN REMOVABLE.BELTS CAME OFF AND GOT CAUGHT IN FAN...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/29/2015*JS
- NHTSA ID
- 10725193
- Incident
- Aug 15, 2014
- Mileage
- 170,161 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 11, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHILE STEERING ABRUPTLY, THE VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES LANDING ON ITS ROOF. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10682739
- Incident
- Feb 9, 2015
- Mileage
- 240,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 27, 2014
Crash reported
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10606399
- Incident
- Jun 26, 2014
Engine
Filed May 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MADE A KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10585857
- Incident
- Apr 23, 2014
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2014
VERY COLD NIGHT , SUB ZERO. HORN STARTED BLOWING AND CONTINUED UNTIL FUSE BURNT OUT. LEFT STRONG BURNT WIRING SMELL. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10568166
- Incident
- Dec 18, 2013
- Mileage
- 110,000 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-23-00-001
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.
TSB-23-00-004
STRUCTURE
This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
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
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.