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2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 33.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
31Owner complaints

Model-year median: 33

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 31 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Air Bags: 5 reports
  • Electrical System: 5 reports
  • Engine: 5 reports
  • Power Train: 5 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    97
    2000    63
    2001    54
    2002    31
    2003    5
    2004
    Compare all Montero Sport years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Air Bags
    5    Electrical System
    5    Engine
    5    Power Train
    5    Engine And Engine Cooling
    4
    All reported categories
    Fuel/propulsion System
    3    Suspension
    3    Vehicle Speed Control
    3    Service Brakes
    2    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    2    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Seat Belts
    1    Steering
    1    Structure
    1    Wheels
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    25 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    6 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

    Suspension complaints

    3 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · May 18, 2005
    Suspension

    2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE BOTTOMING OUT WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD AND BOUNCES WHEN DRIVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE WITH 1/8 TO 1/4 INCHES OF PLAY. THERE WAS ALSO A THUMPING NOISE…

    Read full complaint

    2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE BOTTOMING OUT WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD AND BOUNCES WHEN DRIVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE WITH 1/8 TO 1/4 INCHES OF PLAY. THERE WAS ALSO A THUMPING NOISE UNDER THE DRIVER'S LEFT FOOT. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND STATED THAT EVERYTHING. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PROFESSION TIRE SHOP THAT DETERMINED THAT EH VEHICLE SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

    NHTSA ODI #10121591

    Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2004
    SuspensionVehicle Speed Control

    WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE OR AT A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD VIBRATION PROBLEMS. *NM

    NHTSA ODI #10091732

    Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2004
    Suspension

    WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SWERVED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLES BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #10094785

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.