RoadVitals

2004 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.
5
Latest Nov 19, 2015
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 20, 2004
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, most frequently naming the fuel system, airbags and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 24 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

  • Fuel system233.3%
  • Airbags116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Seat belts116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

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

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Feb 20, 2004
491 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHTS AS STATED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL ARE IN ERROR.
The risk: THIS INFORMATION COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN CONSUMERS LOADING THEIR VEHICLES BEYOND THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR).
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT REPLACEMENT LABELS WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Nov 19, 2015

FILL SUV WITH GAS AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT UNDER THE SUV.

NHTSA ID
10794826
Incident
Nov 14, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT DETECTED THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. AFTER FULLY REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL AT APPROXIMATELTY FOUR DROPS PER SECOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL WHEN PARKED ON INCLINES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10785189
Incident
Oct 12, 2012
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 1, 2014

HEAT GAUGE IS FAULTY AND IT WILL BLOW HOT HEAT ONLY OUT OF DRIVER SIDE VENTS AND BLOWS COLD OUT OF THE REST OF THE VENTS. HEAT GAUGE SAYS ITS RUNNING FINE BUT IT IS REALLY OVERHEATING TO THE BOILING POINT. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS I JUST BOUGHT IT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE HAD NO USE FOR THE HEAT TILL NOW AND NEVER DROVE IT FAR ENOUGH TILL TODAY WHEN I NOTICED THE HEAT GAUGE AND HEARD IT BOILING OVER WITH STEAM COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640621
Incident
Sep 12, 2014
Mileage
146,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 7, 2009

2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. IT WENT OFF AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON. THE 4H LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS SENT TO A MECHANIC WHO REMOVED ALL THE ELECTRIC CONNECTORS AND PRONOUNCED THE CAR FIXED. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I WAS SENT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION 2 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN ANYTIME I DRIVE MORE THAT 40 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275983
Incident
Apr 15, 2009
Mileage
67,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 5, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO LATCH AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOVEMENT TO THE HAND. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE DETERMINED THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WAS 60 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10146999
Incident
Dec 31, 2005
Mileage
15,000 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

Mitsubishi Montero Sport by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009100
2004Viewing510
2003310042.3
2002540148.3
2001631045.6
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.