Model year record

2000 Mitsubishi Montero recalls & problems

The 2000 Mitsubishi Montero has 2 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (8 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints51filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 23, 2020

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 20V03500018,123 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-001.

EquipmentSep 1, 2004

Other › Labels

Recall 04V428000100,432 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

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.

Fuel economy

Montero

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Montero

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Montero

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-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	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	8	1	0	1	—
StructureBody; Body › Bumpers	7	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	6	0	1	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	6	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Delivery	5	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	5	1	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	5	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	5	4	0	2	—
Tires	4	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	3	1	0	2	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	3	0	0	0	—
SteeringLinkages	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
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…
Dec 21, 2023
Electrical system
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
Dec 12, 2017
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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.
Oct 22, 2014 · 180,000 miles
Structure › Body
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
Mar 15, 2013 · 109,000 miles
Structure › Body
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.
Nov 6, 2012 · 158,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SHE SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING AN OBJECT ON THE ROADWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO BOTH ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
May 28, 2010 · 100,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
Aug 25, 2009
Power train › Automatic transmission
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
Sep 20, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.