Model year record
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls & problems
The 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 31 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (5 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4-DR.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Montero Sport 2WD
| City / highway | 16 / 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Montero Sport 2WD
| City / highway | 15 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Montero Sport 4WD
| City / highway | 15 / 19 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Montero Sport 4WD
| City / highway | 14 / 17 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 5 | 8,292 mi |
| Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Horn | 5 | 40,000 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal | 5 | 184,500 mi |
| Engine | 5 | 124,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline | 4 | 40,140 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc › Pads | 3 | 3,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | — |
| SuspensionRear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly | 3 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 65,000 mi |
| Service brakes | 2 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
| Structure | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Air bags
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
- Electrical system
"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
- Fuel/propulsion system
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.
- Engine
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
- Air bagsCrash1 injury
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.
- Service brakesCrash
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
- Engine
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.
- Electrical system
VERY COLD NIGHT , SUB ZERO. HORN STARTED BLOWING AND CONTINUED UNTIL FUSE BURNT OUT. LEFT STRONG BURNT WIRING SMELL. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.