2000 Mitsubishi Montero Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure711.3%
- Brakes711.3%
- Suspension69.7%
- Electrical69.7%
- Airbags58.1%
- Engine58.1%
- Transmission46.5%
- Visibility34.8%
- Driver assistance34.8%
- Fuel system34.8%
- Interior & seats34.8%
- Tires & wheels34.8%
- Seat belts23.2%
- Other / unspecified23.2%
- Steering23.2%
- Powertrain (other)11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING HIS VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,991.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
KNOCKING IN THE FRONT END BETWEEN THE TWO TIRES, STEERING, BRAKES, KNOCKING AND OTHER NOISE, PULLING TO THE LEFT, TIRES WEARING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF FRONT TIRES. NOTICED TIRE WERE CUFFED AND ROUND. BOTH REAR WINDOWS STICK WHEN OPERATING IN DOWN MOTION.
THE VEHICLE STARTED CREAKING AFTER THE SECOND MONTH , WE WERE ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT IT WAS NEW AND THAT IT WAS THE INTERIOR PLASTIC THAT WAS ADJUSTING DO TO TEMP. CHANGES. THIS CONTINUED AND THAN THE SECOND ISSUE THE ABS BRAKES ALMOST CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS WHEN GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SLID. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHOOK EXCESSIVELY AND THE NOISE AND SHAKING FROM UNDERNEATH MADE IT SEEM LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. BY THE SIXTH MONTH THEIR WAS OTHER NOISES COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION IN THE FRONT AND REAR . THE CREAKING /CLICKING NOISE WAS APPARANT IN BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR. AUGUST MARKS HAVING THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 1/2 YEARS AND BOTH MY WIFE AND I CAN NOT TAKE ITS ISSUES ANYMORE. THIS WAS A MAJOR PURCHASE FOR US AND WE FEEL THE EVENTS JUSTIFY IT AS A "LEMON".*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TWICE BY MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP MECHANICS. FIRST TIME BY "COURTESY MITSUBISHI" ON STEVENS CREEK BLVD., SAN JOSE CA. THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED WAS AGAIN AT COURTESY MITSU WITH NO COOPERATION FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE ERATIC STEERING AND THE LOW GRUMBLING SOUND WAS EMINATING FROM THE FRONT TIRES. AND THEY FURTHER CLAIMED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM DUE TO "TREAD SEPARATION" ON THE FRONT TIRES. THIS WAS CONFIRMED AT A LATER DATE TO BE FALSE AS I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A YOKOHAMA DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE OWNER INSPECT THE TIRES. HE FOUND NO DEFECTS. I HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED TO ELIMINATE ANY DOUBT AS TO THE TIRES CONDITION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PROGRESSIVELY GET WORSE. LOUD CLUNKING NOISES, WHEEL BEARING GROWL, AND EXTREMELY ERRATIC STEERING BEHAVIOR AT ALL SPEEDS. I AM NOT ABLE TO TAKE MY FAMILY OUT ON THE FREEWAY IN THIS VEHICLE AS I AM AFRAID FOR THEIR SAFETY. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO ANOTHER, LARGER DEALER, "CAPITOL MITSUBISHI". THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 48 HRS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE INDEED LOOSE AGAIN. HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS ANY OTHER PROBLEM AND ONLY RETIGHTENED THE BEARINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE MANAGER WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH ME AND I TOLD HIM THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. HE REFUSED TO DO THE WORK UNDER WARRANTEE AND BILLED ME $90.00 LABOR FOR RETIGHTENING THE BEARINGS. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE RAPIDLY DETERIORATING. BALL JOINTS, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, WHEEL BEARINGS... MITSUBISHI IS VIOLATING THE WARRANTEE BY AVOIDING AND DELAYING A FULL AND COMPLETE REPAIR OF THESE PROBLEMS!*AK
MY VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD A CATATROPHIC FAILURE AS OF YET. HOWEVER THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE DEGRADED RAPIDLY TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAS TOTALLY RUINED THE FRONT TIRES AT 20000 MI.(THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS PERFECT) THE LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER "COURTESY MITSUBISHI" HAS TWICE REFUSED TO HONOR MY FACTORY WARRANTEE AND HAS MADE RIDICULOUS EXCUSES SUCH AS "THE TIRE TREAD IS SEPARATING ON THE FRONT TIRES, THEREFOR WE CANNOT DIAGNOSE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END". AFTERWHICH, I WENT TO AN AUTHORIZED YOKOHAMA TIRE DEALER AND WAS ASSURED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY FRONT TIRES SAVE FOR THE EXCESSIVE WEAR CAUSED BY SUSPENSION COMPONENT PROBLEMS! I FEEL AS IF I HAVE NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN AS I CANNOT PERSONALLY AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER AND SUE FOR BREECH OF CONTRACT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REMEDY. WITH MITSUBISHI'S PAST RECORD OF STONEWALLING AGAINST ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS, I AM OFFICIALLY REQUESTING ASSISTANCE AND A REMEDY FROM THE NHTSA.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT BRAKES CHANGED ON MY MONTERO TWICE IN 3 YEARS HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING BRAKE FAIL PADS CAME OUT OF CALIPER BRAKES KEEPS GOING BAD AFTER 1.5 TO TWO YEARS DID CALIPERS CHANGE AS WELL SAME THING CALIPERS WILL GET STUCK AND PADS WILL COME OUT THEY HAVE A RECALL ON 1997 1998 MODELS FOR BRAKES ISSUE NOT 1999 AND 2000
2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Awhile back my horn stopped working as if it was stuck down. I found out this was because of a problem with this cars airbag breaking down that causes this - and that there is a recall because these airbags are dangerous if they go off. I received a letter at one point from Mitsubishi about this. I filled out a form a long time ago when I got that, I also emailed them before, I also have tried calling them a few times. They never get back to me. There is no Mitsubishi dealership in my town so I cannot take the car there unannounced without driving 2 hours to another town. I do not want to do this if the airbags are unsafe, so the car has been sitting for a long time because of this issue. I want it resolved. I do not care if Mitsubishi or a mechanic or whoever does it, I just need it done so I do not get killed by my airbag, I don't want to pay for it since it is covered by recall. Please let me know how to resolve this. Thank you.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKID AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND RIP OPENED BURNING THE CONTACT'S RIGHT HAND. ALSO, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE CHEST, ARMS, AND BACK. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM HEADACHES DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. ALSO, DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
VEHICLE HAS STALLED 3 TIMES. DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. FUSE WAS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. ALSO, DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
AFTER ~ 2HOURS OF HIGHWAY DRIVING THE "N" (NEUTRAL) LIGHT FLASHES WHICH INDICATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS OVERHEATED. THE CAR MOST BE STOPPED ASAP TO COOL THE TRANSMISSION SO AS TO NOT DAMAGE IT. I AM CONCERNED THAT SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERYTIME I GO ON A TRIP LASTING MORE THAN 2 HOURS OF HWY DRIVING AM I DAMAGING THE CAR OR CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY (FIRE/PERSONNEL INJURY) HAZARD!? I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO SEARCH FOR A CAUSE AND SOLUTION BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING. IS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COMPROMISED AND THERBY CAUSING THIS? IN ADDITION, THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE WHEN ONE IS TRAVELLING. BEING THAT I TRAVEL A LOT I ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. ASIDE FROM BEING A SAFETY ISSUE AND POTENTIALLY A COSTLY REPAIR ISSUE IT'S A NUISANCE! FLASHING LIGHT ?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING. TS
CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK WHEN IT SNOWS. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
RENTED VEHICLE. SPEED CONTROL LOCKED UP AT 60MPH. DRIVER SWERVED, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, RESULTING IN INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK MY TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER ON 2/22/01 FOR ENGINE LIGHT THAT CAME ON. THEY REPLACED A LEAKY FUEL CAP AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. TOLD THEM WHEN I CALL FOR SERVICE ABOUT THE 2ND -3RD SHIFT THAT WAS SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE COULD NOT FIND WHAT I WAS SPEAKING OF THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT BACK FOR THE SAME REASON THEY THEN SAID THAT MITSUBISHI HAD A LETTER STATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2ND - 3RD SHIFT. THE CALLED THE TECH LINE AND NO ONE NEW WHAT TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY IN TURN WANTED ME TO PAY FOR A TRANNY FLUSH, I REFUSED TELLING THEM I HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED BY A MECHANIC FRIEND THAT THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM, SO I DID NOT HAVE THAT DONE. TO BOOT THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR THIS (80.00).!! WHEN I CALLED AGAIN ABOUT MY VECHICLE DOING THE SAME THING I TOLD THEM I DID NOT FEEL THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE DRIVING A DAMAGED TRANSMISSION WAS NOT GOOD, THE TOLD ME THAT I WAS IN NO DANGER. THE THIRD TIME, THEY INSTRUCTED ME MITSUBISHI COULD DO NOTHING ELSE TO HELP ME AND I HAD TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. SO NOW I AM DRIVING A POSSIBLE DAMAGED TRANSMISSION AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE WILL HAPPEN. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AND INVESTIGATION INTO THIS, THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME OTHER VEHICLES(MONTERO'S) HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAME THING AS WELL NOT JUST MINE. I BELIEVE THIS IS MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSIBLITY TO FIX THIS EVEN IF IT MEANS A NEW TRANSMISSION!! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK FURTHER ON THIS PROBLEM PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT THE GIVEN NUMBERS. THANKS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY. --- CONCERNED CONSUMER
EVERY TIME WE REFUEL A GASOLINE ODOR PERSISTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WE DO NOT "TOP OFF" THE TANK AND WE ARE CAREFUL TO AVOID GETTING FUEL ON OUR SHOES/CLOTHING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FELL OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK
THE REAR DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND THE LATCHES WILL GO UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
KNOCKING IN THE FRONT END BETWEEN THE TWO TIRES, STEERING, BRAKES, KNOCKING AND OTHER NOISE, PULLING TO THE LEFT, TIRES WEARING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF FRONT TIRES. NOTICED TIRE WERE CUFFED AND ROUND. BOTH REAR WINDOWS STICK WHEN OPERATING IN DOWN MOTION.
TIRES REQUIRE ROTATIONS EVERY 4000 MI. TO AVOID IRREGULAR WEAR.( DOT NUMBER: EL3FJNM379 TIRE SIZE: P255-70R16 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT. ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO INSTALL A CAR SEAT AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE BUCKLE. TS
THE DRIVERSIDE WHEEL IS POPPING, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL NUT AND SCREW BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *JB TIE ROD ADJUSTMENT NUT AND TIE ROD WERE NO GOOD, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD.
THE DRIVERSIDE WHEEL IS POPPING, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
KNOCKING IN THE FRONT END BETWEEN THE TWO TIRES, STEERING, BRAKES, KNOCKING AND OTHER NOISE, PULLING TO THE LEFT, TIRES WEARING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF FRONT TIRES. NOTICED TIRE WERE CUFFED AND ROUND. BOTH REAR WINDOWS STICK WHEN OPERATING IN DOWN MOTION.
APPROACHING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VIBRATION OCCURS AT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, MOST NOTICEABLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MOREOVER, A LOOSENESS IS NOTICEABLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN EXHIBITING "PLAY" IN THE STEERING. VEHICLES TENDS TO SHIMMY ON DOWNSLOPING ROADS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/70SR16 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING-FRONT END VIBRTATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .