Model year record

2001 Mitsubishi Montero recalls & problems

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero has 4 safety recalls and 166 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (61 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints166filed by owners

Crashes · fires15 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths14 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

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.

EquipmentFeb 11, 2004

Other › Owners/service/other manual

Recall 04V067000134,000 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.
Risk: IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.
Fix: A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 3, 2001

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 01V25400139,020 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR.
Risk: THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACCUMULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

VisibilityMay 1, 2000

Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior

Recall 00V1230024,275 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."
Risk: THIS LIMITS THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

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

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel

Montero

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/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, hydraulicPower assist › Vacuum; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	61	1	0	0	112,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Ignition	27	0	0	0	127,501 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	23	0	0	0	58,250 mi
Service brakes	17	1	0	0	149,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	16	0	0	0	45,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	14	9	0	12	115,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing; Rear	12	1	0	0	59,368 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Column locking › Anti-theft device	8	2	1	0	99,500 mi
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior; Windshield	7	1	0	0	—
Unknown or other	5	0	1	1	—
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments	5	0	0	1	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights	4	0	0	0	40,500 mi

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

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic
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.…
Jul 20, 2022 · 145,600 miles
Unknown or other
Reporting - safety recall as stated on NY state fail inspection. Emissions issues Ãmission results- MIL commanded âfailâ Code P0136-O2 Sensor Code PO455 -Evaporative emission system leak
Jun 3, 2022
Unknown or other
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 Iâm unsafe knowing that Iâm driving without any communication with other vehicles. It is a very expensive repair that most people canât afford so theyâre left doing what I learned to do which puts a lot of people in danger. Please help with this safety concern.
Dec 16, 2021
Service brakes, hydraulic
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…
Feb 12, 2020 · 172,000 miles
Service brakes
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
May 1, 2020 · 206,000 miles
Service brakes
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.
May 5, 2019 · 228,983 miles
Engine
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.
Jul 9, 2018 · 225,000 miles
Unknown or otherFire1 injury
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.
Sep 4, 2017 · 230,000 miles

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