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2001 Mitsubishi Montero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Montero years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

109 reports with mileage · 57 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

21 reports
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152,989 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATES WHEN TOWING, ON STEEP GRADES, OR EVEN CONTINUOUSLY. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0125 IS DISPLAYED INDICATING INSUFFICIENT COOLANT TEMPERATURE, EVEN THOUGH ACTUAL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IS WITHIN NORMAL RANGE OF 200 TO 215 DEGREES. REPLACEMENT OF COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSORS (2) AND T…

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MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATES WHEN TOWING, ON STEEP GRADES, OR EVEN CONTINUOUSLY. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0125 IS DISPLAYED INDICATING INSUFFICIENT COOLANT TEMPERATURE, EVEN THOUGH ACTUAL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IS WITHIN NORMAL RANGE OF 200 TO 215 DEGREES. REPLACEMENT OF COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSORS (2) AND THERMOSTAT WILL NOT RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS A KNOWN COMPUTER ERROR THAT MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT ADDRESS OR PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF. NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10001033 MMNA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 0313001. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392763

95,000 miles · Nov 4, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. MONTHS LATER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FORMER DEALER DID NOT REINSTALL THE HEAT COVER. WITHOUT THE HEAT COVER, THERE IS NO SAFEGUARD TO THE VAR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. MONTHS LATER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FORMER DEALER DID NOT REINSTALL THE HEAT COVER. WITHOUT THE HEAT COVER, THERE IS NO SAFEGUARD TO THE VARIOUS HOSES AND COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE, WHICH HAS SEVERAL POTENTIAL SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. HE CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS ADVISED BY THE MANAGER, TOM WANSTER, THAT HIS HEAT COVER WAS NOT LEFT THERE; HOWEVER, THEY DID LOCATE OTHER HEAT COVERS FOR SIMILAR MODELS. THE MANAGER WOULD NOT PROVIDE HIM WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,268.

NHTSA ODI #10247688

45,000 miles · Jul 10, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

MONTERO UNDER 50,000 MILES. HAVE TO REPLACE COMPRESSOR, ALIGNMENT BARS FOR SUN ROOF, AND BRAKES. COST $2700 WITH LABOR. HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. NO WARRANTY LEFT. MONTERO HAS TO BE JUMPED TO TURN ON, BUCKS WITH DEFROST ON, NO AIR, NO RADIO, AND BRAKES ARE BAD. DEALER WILL NOT HELP WITH COST. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162012

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LTD FROM GIBBONS TOYOTA IN EYNON, PA. I ALSO PURCHASED A WARRANTY FROM THEM. MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY SAY SENSORS HAVE TO BE CHANGED. LIGHT CAME BACK ON. CHANGED ANOTHER SENSOR, LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THEY TELL ME IT IS COVERED BY MITSUBISHI FOR 8 …

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I PURCHASED A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LTD FROM GIBBONS TOYOTA IN EYNON, PA. I ALSO PURCHASED A WARRANTY FROM THEM. MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY SAY SENSORS HAVE TO BE CHANGED. LIGHT CAME BACK ON. CHANGED ANOTHER SENSOR, LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THEY TELL ME IT IS COVERED BY MITSUBISHI FOR 8 YRS. THEY TRY ERTLEY MOTOR WORLD NUMEROUS TIMES AND CANNOT GET THEM TO RESPOND. THEY ARE IN WILKES-BARRE, PA. GIBBONS MGR THEN CONTACTED DOMIANO'S IN ARCHBALD. THEY TO DID NOT WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS. WHY IS IT THAT MITSUBISHI DEALERS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR WARRANTY'S. THIS IS THE 4TH MITSUBISHI I HAVE OWNED, AND NOW THAT I SEE THE SERVICE, IT WILL BE THE LAST. THEY ARE VERY IGNORANT PEOPLE. THEY TREAT YOU LIKE DIRT. VERY ARROGANT. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THERE IS AN 8 YR WARRANTY ON THE CONVERTER, AND IT SHOULD BE CHANGED WITH NO HASSLE. THANK YOU. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10148180

11,000 miles · Jan 9, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

SINCE I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE (2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED), I ALWAYS HAD PROBLEM WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT PROBLEM. THE THIRD DAY I GOT THE VEHICLE FROM THE ALHAMBRA MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP, THE LIGHT TURN ON. AND ALWAYS GOT THE SAME REPLY " MAKE SURE THE GAS CAP IS CLOSED PROPERLY". I HAD 5 CARS AND I NEVER HAD ANY KIND …

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SINCE I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE (2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED), I ALWAYS HAD PROBLEM WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT PROBLEM. THE THIRD DAY I GOT THE VEHICLE FROM THE ALHAMBRA MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP, THE LIGHT TURN ON. AND ALWAYS GOT THE SAME REPLY " MAKE SURE THE GAS CAP IS CLOSED PROPERLY". I HAD 5 CARS AND I NEVER HAD ANY KIND OF PROBLEM LIKE EXEPT THIS MONTERO LIMITED. MY CAR HAS 63000MILES RIGHT NOW, AND THE LIGHT WILL TURN ON EVERY 2MONTH. AND NOW THE VEHICLE HAS THE LIGHT ON AGAIN, AND DEALER WILL NOT DO OR CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS GOING UPHILL OR WHEN IT NEED POWER. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT KEEP FAILING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106006

90,000 miles · Dec 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO; ENGINE SHOT ON THE HIGHWAY (NJ TURNPIKE). THERE WAS NO OIL WARNING. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE-IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INNER LANE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. VEHICLES ON NJ TURNPIKE ARE TRAVELING 60-80MPH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ON TIMELY OIL CHANGES AT JIFFY LUBE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.…

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2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO; ENGINE SHOT ON THE HIGHWAY (NJ TURNPIKE). THERE WAS NO OIL WARNING. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE-IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INNER LANE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. VEHICLES ON NJ TURNPIKE ARE TRAVELING 60-80MPH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ON TIMELY OIL CHANGES AT JIFFY LUBE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IT HAS 90K MLIES ON IT, BOUGHT USED, I OWE $15K ON IT, IT WILL COST $8K TO FIX. 2 YRS OG PAYMENTS TO GO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102139

72,000 miles · Sep 10, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 79K MILES. FEBRUARY 04 I NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE MITSUBISHI MECHANIC SAID IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE BUT THAT HE WOULD JUST CHANGE THE OIL TO SEE IF THAT HELPED. THE SALES TICKET SAID, NO PROBLEM FOUND. AUGUST 04 THE KNOCKING CAME BACK. ON A TRIP THE OIL …

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ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 79K MILES. FEBRUARY 04 I NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE MITSUBISHI MECHANIC SAID IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE BUT THAT HE WOULD JUST CHANGE THE OIL TO SEE IF THAT HELPED. THE SALES TICKET SAID, NO PROBLEM FOUND. AUGUST 04 THE KNOCKING CAME BACK. ON A TRIP THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON BUT THERE WAS OIL IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MITSUBISHI. THE MECHANIC THEN CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE ENGINE. THE PICKUP TUBE WAS CLOCKED BUT THE ENGINE WALLS WERE CLEAN. THE RESULT WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT COVER THE CHARGES BECAUSE IT WAS PASS THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. NO ONE CAN DETERMINE HOW THE PICKUP TUBE WAS CLOGGED WITH SO MUCH CRUD. HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI SAYS THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE PICKUP TUBE IT WAS PAST THE WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090761

70,000 miles · Sep 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAD 70,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BLEW OUT. WHEN DRIVING THE AIR WOULD BLOW, THEN WHEN STOPPING THE AIR WOULD STOP. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT LOOKED AS IF THE PLASTIC TEE IN THE HEATER LINE WAS BUSTED. THEN, SHE WAS TOLD THAT IT MAY THE THERMOSTAT THAT WAS …

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CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAD 70,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BLEW OUT. WHEN DRIVING THE AIR WOULD BLOW, THEN WHEN STOPPING THE AIR WOULD STOP. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT LOOKED AS IF THE PLASTIC TEE IN THE HEATER LINE WAS BUSTED. THEN, SHE WAS TOLD THAT IT MAY THE THERMOSTAT THAT WAS STICKING. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT MOTOR BLEW OUT. SHE HAD NO WARNING, BECAUSE THE INDICATOR NEVER SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090245

77,000 miles · Aug 2, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

AT 35000, THE TRUNK DOOR LATCH MECHANISM IS BROKEN. AT 57000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT, CAUSED BY SPARK PLUGS OR SPARK PLUG WIRES OPEN. REPLACE ALL PLUGS AND WIRES AT DEALERSHIP, COST $300.NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. AT 77000 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT, DEALERSHIP REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I PAY FOR THE …

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AT 35000, THE TRUNK DOOR LATCH MECHANISM IS BROKEN. AT 57000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT, CAUSED BY SPARK PLUGS OR SPARK PLUG WIRES OPEN. REPLACE ALL PLUGS AND WIRES AT DEALERSHIP, COST $300.NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. AT 77000 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT, DEALERSHIP REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I PAY FOR THE OXYGEN SENSOR PLUS LABOR THAT GOES WITH THE CATALYST.OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. CAR DRIVEN ABOUT 3 MILES HOME FROM DEALESHIP AFTER REPLACING THE CAT. CONVERTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AGAIN. DEALERSHIP CHECKED AND SAID ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR IS BAD. TOTAL 4 OXYGEN SENSORS IN THE SYSTEM. COST $230 TO REPLACE ONE SENSOR. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THESE SENSORS WILL GO BAD AT THE SAME TIME. IS THAT A COINSIDENCE OR MANUFACTURER PARTS DEFECTS???*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083156

33,872 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058885

Official recalls

4

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: 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.

04V067000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Feb 11, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

01V254001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Aug 3, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

00V123002 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

May 1, 2000

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS LIMITS THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

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

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.