2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Owner Complaints

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

"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

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

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

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

[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ID

10606399

Incident

Jun 26, 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

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

I WAS PULLING IN A SHEETS STATION AND GOING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND WHEN I LEFT GO THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE KEPT MOVING AND CRASHED INTO A RED POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE THEN I NOTICED THE GAS PEDAL COMING BACK UP AND WAS ABLE TO ,PUT IN REVERSE AND CRUISE BACK IN SAME PARKING SPACE DID DAMAGE TO MOTOR AND RADIATOR AND FRONT BODY MY WIFE CLAIMS THIS HAS DONE IT TO HER AS WELL. I WAS SCARED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10554835

Incident

Nov 29, 2013

Mileage

124,000 mi

I JUST PICKED UP MY SON'S VEHICLE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE WHERE I HAD JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOR HIM. I WAS ON THE WAY TO MEET MY HUSBAND AT THE GROCERY STORE BUT NEEDED TO DROP OFF SOME LETTERS AT THE OUTDOOR MAIL BOX AT THE POST OFFICE WHICH WAS < 1/4 MILE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE. AS I PULLED UP TO THE POST OFFICE DROP BOX, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS GOING JUST A FEW MILES AN HOUR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP! THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME OR IN THE PARKING LOT, SO I JUST STEERED THE VEHICLE AROUND THE LOT CONCENTRATING ON NOT HITTING ANYTHING! ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. IT TOOK ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE FINALLY REVVED BACK DOWN (TO THE NORMAL SOUND) AND THE BRAKES WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE (MY SON WAS GIVEN THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES) ACCORDING TO MY SON. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING-I AM SO GLAD NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I JUST WANT SOME KIND OF RECORD OF THIS, IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS LATER. IS THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10473099

Incident

Aug 29, 2012

Mileage

117,329 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BACKWARDS AND HESITATE. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR IN PARK, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE MINOR AND COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT INTENDS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE SOON. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 96,000.

NHTSA ID

10251065

Incident

Dec 1, 2008

Mileage

96,000 mi

I REAR-ENDED AN SUV GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH, THROWING MY UPPER BODY FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POLICE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10239451

Incident

Aug 22, 2008

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WORKED SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD CONTINUE TO SOUND UNLESS THE FUSE WAS DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,280.

NHTSA ID

10213570

Incident

Dec 1, 2007

Mileage

66,280 mi

HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT 3.5 L V6 ENGINE. 1. NO PRECEDING EVENT, CAR STARTED IDLING ROUGH WHEN FIRST STARTED. IDLE SMOOTHES AFTER A SHORT TIME. 2. RIGHT SIDE HEAD GASKET STARTED LEAKING COOLANT INTO CYL #2 AT 30K MILES, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LEFT SIDE HEAD GASKET STARTED LEAKING COOLANT INTO CYL #1 AT 65,600 MILES. REPLACEMENT DENIED BY MANUFACTURER, EVEN THOUGHT IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. 3. NOT YET REPLACED DUE TO COST. *NM

NHTSA ID

10173592

Incident

Sep 3, 2006

Mileage

65,600 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON ROUGH SLIPPERY ROADS THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD. AFTER PULLING BACK ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED FISH TAILING AND WENT OVER A TWENTY FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE UPROOTED A TREE. DURING THIS TIME THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MODERATE HEAD INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE DRIVER. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, BUT HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THE REASON FOR THE AIRBAG FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10151866

Incident

Mar 1, 2006

Mileage

139,000 mi

2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE BOTTOMING OUT WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD AND BOUNCES WHEN DRIVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE WITH 1/8 TO 1/4 INCHES OF PLAY. THERE WAS ALSO A THUMPING NOISE UNDER THE DRIVER'S LEFT FOOT. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND STATED THAT EVERYTHING. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PROFESSION TIRE SHOP THAT DETERMINED THAT EH VEHICLE SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10121591

Incident

May 1, 2005

I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT WITH A 3.0 ENGINE. THE CAM SHAFT CAME APART AND THE MITSUBISHI REP REFUSE TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE SUV NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. WHAT HAPPEN TO CUSTOMER SERVICE? *JB

NHTSA ID

10108503

Incident

Dec 7, 2004

Mileage

40,140 mi

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE OR AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD VIBRATION PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10091732

Incident

Sep 9, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SWERVED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLES BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094785

Incident

Sep 25, 2004

BY 20,000 MILES THE TRUCK'S FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE SO OUT OF ROUND THAT THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DURRING BRAKING. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE BRAKE PADS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRENTY. THIS IS REDICULOUS. I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO HAVE A TRUCK'S BRAKING SYSTEM SERVICED BEFORE 80,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088670

Incident

Jan 1, 2004

Mileage

20,000 mi

THE OWNER SMELLED GASOLINE FUEL WHEN OPERATING VEHICLE AND STARTING IT ONE LAST TIME, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS LOSS WAS INVESTIGATED BY SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIONS 800-779-2858. THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE VALVE WAS LOOSE, AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK AND START A FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088278

Incident

Aug 17, 2004

Mileage

36,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DASHBOARD LIGHTS REFLECTED ON THE EXTERNAL REAR VIEW MIRROR AT NIGHT. CONSUMER CONSIDERED THE REFLECTION VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. *AK SPEEDOMETER REFLECTS OFF DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND ONTO THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR. *LA

NHTSA ID

10056040

Incident

Dec 27, 2003

Mileage

1,400 mi

I BOUGHT THE TRUCK ON A CLOUDY DAY. WHEN THE SUN HIT IT, IT HAD SWIRL MARKS BURNT INTO IT FROM WHERE IT WAS BUFFED AT THE FACTORY. WHEN TURNED IN THEY BUFFED IT AGAIN. NOW THAT IT RAINED IT STILL SHOWS ALL. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS SEVERE LAG AND SOMETIMES WON'T SHIFT AT ALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10055022

Incident

Oct 7, 2003

Mileage

1 mi

VEHICLE SWAYS, WONDERS ON THE ROAD AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE. ALSO, IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS LOOSE UNDER THE FRONT END. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE FEELS EXACTLY THAT WHICH I AM DESCRIBING BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE DRIVEN AND THAT THEY TOO DID THE SAME THING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS OBSTACLE TO HAVE CONTROL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. *LA

NHTSA ID

10054733

Incident

Aug 3, 2003

Mileage

3 mi

BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED EVERY 3,000-4,000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS DRIVER'S ABUSE THAT CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS/PADS. CONSUMER WAS FURIOUS. CURRENTLY, AFTER 4,000 MILES. BRAKES WERE SHOT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10052247

Incident

Jan 2, 2004

Mileage

3,000 mi