RoadVitals

2001 Mitsubishi Montero Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
166
Latest Oct 20, 2022
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.
17
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Sep 18, 2000

What this page shows

Our database holds 166 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 166 · page 1 of 7

Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal felt sticky. Additionally, the contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal twice, the brake pedal vibrated and shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS system had failed due a faulty hydraulic pump and accumulator. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V254002 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,600.

NHTSA ID
11490224
Incident
Jul 20, 2022
Mileage
145,600 mi
Filed Jun 3, 2022

Reporting - safety recall as stated on NY state fail inspection. Emissions issues Émission results- MIL commanded “fail” Code P0136-O2 Sensor Code PO455 -Evaporative emission system leak

NHTSA ID
11467411
Incident
Jun 3, 2022
Filed Dec 18, 2021

After googling and doing a little reaching I found out it is a very common problem amongst these vehicles that the horn starts blaring in the early morning hours non stop until unplugging the fuse or battery. I have to remove the fuse therefore I’m unsafe knowing that I’m driving without any communication with other vehicles. It is a very expensive repair that most people can’t afford so they’re left doing what I learned to do which puts a lot of people in danger. Please help with this safety concern.

NHTSA ID
11444255
Incident
Dec 16, 2021
Brakes
Filed Aug 17, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ALSO WHILE AT A STAND STILL, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACCUMULATOR FAILURE WAS COMING FROM THE ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254002 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA ID
11349790
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Mileage
172,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 11, 2020

THE BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IS LEAKING SO IT MAKES A 'CHIRPING' SOUND FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A RECOGNIZED FAULT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED I DID NOT GET NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL SO DID NOT GET IT FIXED. IT HAS NOW BECOME A PROBLEM WHICH I AM TOLD COULD CAUSE THE BRAKES TO FAIL, OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MITSUBISHI AND THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324165
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
206,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 5, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE HEARD AN ABNORMAL CHIRPING SOUND AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE SOUND ORIGINATED FROM THE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,983.

NHTSA ID
11229572
Incident
May 5, 2019
Mileage
228,983 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO TIMES ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT GUIDE PIN FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.

NHTSA ID
11110448
Incident
Jul 9, 2018
Mileage
225,000 mi
Filed Oct 13, 2017
Fire reported1 injury reported

ON 9/4/2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 615AM THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. 10 MINUTES LATER OUR PUPPY WAS BARKING AT THE DOOR LEADING TO GARAGE. HUSBAND WENT TO SEE WHY AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DOOR. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND THE GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE AND THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENTLY THIS LED TO MY ENTIRE HOME BURNING DOWN.

NHTSA ID
11033295
Incident
Sep 4, 2017
Mileage
230,000 mi
Exterior lightingSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 5, 2017

STABILITY FAILURE AND LIGHTS DEFECT

NHTSA ID
11021396
Incident
Apr 4, 2016
Mileage
7,500 mi
Filed Dec 23, 2016

HORN ON CAR STARTS BLOWING FOR UNKNOWN REASON, CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND WAS VERY COLD. I WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF HORN TRIGGER WAS SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER.

NHTSA ID
10937224
Incident
Dec 18, 2016
Mileage
178,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2016

ABS ACCUMULATOR FAILURE AND NOISE

NHTSA ID
10927796
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SOUNDED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISABLED TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10918999
Incident
Oct 7, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 13, 2016

THE CAR/SUV STILL RUNS LIKE NEW, IT PASSES INSPECTION ,EVERY TIME ! IT NEVER FAILED INSPECTION. THE BODY ROT AND RUSTED FRAME LEAD TO MY SPARE TIRE FALL OFF THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2001 AND TAUGHT MY KIDS TO DRIVE WITH IT. WHEN I TOOK THE VECHILE TO FIRESTONE THRE MANAGER DIDN'T EVEN WANT IT ON THE LIFT STATING HE DIDN'T WANT HIS MEN TO GET HURT IF THE FRAME DECIDED TO BRAKE. HE WOULD NOT WORK ON THE CAR ANYMORE AND TOLD ME TO GET RID OF IT, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND BUT AFTER EYEING FOR MYSELF AND EXPERIENCING THE TIRE DROP OUT OF ITS WELL. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION I GOT THAT AND IT WAS THE SAME RESPONSE. I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW VECHILE AT THE TIME . IT WAS MY SECOND VECHILE I USED ON WEEKENDS DOING CRAFT EVENTS BUT SOMETIMES I WOULD TRAVEL FAR TO NJ, NY, NH , VA.. IT'S WAS TOO THE POINT WHEN THE VENDORS SAW ME COMING TO EVENTS THEY WORRIED ABOUT MY TRAVEL WITH. THE VECHILE. IT HAS SENTIMENTAL VALUE TO MY I LOST MY DAUGHTER IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND KEEPING THE SUV I FEEL LIKE MY MEMORIES OF HER ARE STILL WITH ME POSITIVELY AND FRESH, LASTING, LOVING. AFTER SHE PAST I SAID I WOULD NEVER GET RID OF THE SUV. TODAY THE PLATES ARE OFF ITS STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND STILL RUNNING. I FEEL THE FRAME SHOULD HAVE LASTED A LOT LONGER, IT HAS SOME BODY RUST AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS . IT'S PAID FOR AND RUNNING I NEVER MISSED A BEAT WITH THE OIL CHANGES ETC. I WANT TO KEEP THE CAR, BUT CAN'T NOT AND I AM DEVASTATED TO RID MY SELF OF OUR FAMILY AIR LOOM. I COHAN ONE SIDE WELDED LAST YEAR BUT TO DO THE OTHER SIDE FOR 1K IT MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE IT'S BREAKING DOWN FASTER NOW. THE FIRST FEW YEARS WHEN II HAD THE SUV I HAD A GARAGE BUT LATER YEARS DIDN'T. LIVING IN CT SOME WINTERS CAN BE BRUTAL. THE LOCAL BODY SHOP OFFERS 150.00 WHICH I FEEL INSULTING. I REALLY WANT A RUST FREE FRAME

NHTSA ID
10864855
Incident
May 24, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Jan 27, 2016

GAS LEAK FROM THE FRONT MOUNT AREA OF THE SENDING UNIT ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. SIGNIFICANT LEAK, ODOR OF GAS OVERWHELMING. QUOTED $1200 TO REPAIR. ALL SALVAGED TANKS/KITS IN SIMILAR CONDITION. FIRE HAZARD, AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY AUTO MASTERS TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT LEAKS WHEN IT IS RUNNING DUE TO THE BUILT UP PRESSURE. NOW HARD TO START BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE (BEING LOST FROM THE LEAK). ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10822697
Incident
Jan 4, 2016
Mileage
170,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,895.

NHTSA ID
10779934
Incident
Apr 15, 2015
Mileage
50,895 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HORN SOUNDED LOUDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN FAILED AND THE HORN MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 352,478. MA 10/15/2015

NHTSA ID
10761375
Incident
Aug 1, 2015
Mileage
352,478 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES BECAME HARDER TO DEPRESS AND THE ANTI-BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10734343
Incident
Jun 27, 2015
Brakes
Filed May 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,730.

NHTSA ID
10716453
Incident
Apr 14, 2015
Mileage
203,730 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 2015

THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER, MANUFACTURED BY AISIN, FAILED DUE TO A WORN OUT PUMP MOTOR. THIS IS A BRUSHED MOTOR WITH NO SERVICE INTERVAL SO MUCH AS MENTIONED IN EITHER THE OWNERS MANUAL OR THE FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL. MOREOVER, YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE BRUSHES FOR THE MOTOR FROM THE DEALER OR ANYONE ELSE. HERE IS A PHOTO OF THE MOTOR: HTTP://I.IMGUR.COM/DUI0X0K.JPG AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THIS WAS TAKEN AFTER IT WAS CLEANED WITH COMPRESSED AIR. THE MOTOR WAS FILLED WITH THE REMAINS OF THE BRUSHES AND COMMUTATOR. IT IS EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO POWER A BREAKING SYSTEM WITH SUCH A LOW QUALITY MOTOR AND NOT EVEN GIVE IT A SERVICE INTERVAL. WHEN THIS MOTOR FAILS, SO DO THE BRAKES. EVERY SINGLE GENERATION THREE MONTERO WILL SUFFER FROM THIS FAILURE, SOME CATASTROPHICALLY. AS MORE VEHICLES RELY ON ELECTRIC POWER TO STOP, THIS IS SURELY GOING TO BE AN ISSUE THAT NHTSA WILL BE DEALING WITH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10703551
Incident
Mar 30, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10668976
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 24, 2014

I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK BECAUSE THE HORN QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THE AIRBAG HAS A METAL RING INSIDE OF IT THAT MAKES CONTACT TO ACTIVATE THE HORN WHEN PRESSED. THEY CLAIMED THE RING HAS EITHER DETERIORATED OR BROKEN INTERNALLY AND THAT IS WHY THE HORN DOESN'T WORK AND IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR YEARS WITH THESE TRUCKS. BASED ON THE CURRENT RECALLS I AM WONDERING IF THAT ALSO EFFECTS THE AIRBAGS AND IF THEY WILL WORK PROPERLY OR IF THERE COULD BE METAL SHARDS IN THERE THAT WHEN DEPLOYED COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649572
Incident
Jan 3, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 26, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE AIR NEEDED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID
10639258
Incident
Aug 25, 2014
Mileage
158,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2014

ON JULY 8, 2014 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, I WOULD HEAR A NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY TRUCK. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS AND I ASKED A FEW FRIENDS TO LOOK AT IT. ONE INDICATED THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE BRAKE ASSIST AND FOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. AFTER THAT I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE ITEM AND FOUND THROUGH SAFECAR.GOV THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS APART OF A RECALL FROM 2001 FOR THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED IT TO GO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN FIXED UNDER THE RECALL BACK IN NOV 2001 AND DUE TO THIS THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ITEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT DIRECT WITH MITSUBISHI ([XXX]). THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN SAFETY HAZARD AND THE MITSUBISHI REFUSED TO FIX A PROBLEM THEY KNOW EXISTS. HOW DO I KNOW IF THE PART THEY REPLACED ISN'T ALSO FAULTY. THE RECALL REPORT INDICATED THAT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, IT COULD RESULT IS LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. WHEN I ASKED THE COST TO REPAIR THE ITEM I WAS ADVISED IT WOULD BE $2,000. THIS IS SIMPLY INSANE. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM SO NOW MITSUBISHI RAISES THE PRICES ON THE ITEM SO THEY CAN RECOUP THE COSTS OF THE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10627213
Incident
Jul 8, 2014
Mileage
135,900 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 13, 2014

POWER STRING PUMP FAILED. REAR BRAKES LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622065
Incident
Aug 13, 2014
Mileage
137,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. WHILE DECELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSFER CASE ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ID
10621483
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
121,000 mi

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.

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