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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.

About this comparison →

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

Service Brakes complaints

17 reports
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137,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

POWER STRING PUMP FAILED. REAR BRAKES LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622065

130,765 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Service Brakes

WAS GOING DOWN A HILL WHEN I COULDN'T PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE IT WAS TOO STIFF! THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURN AND WITH A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS A HILL GOING BACK UP SO I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT AND PULL IT OFF THE ROAD FINE. GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT OTHER POINTS OF MY TRIP! MY BRAKE BOOSTER HAS GONE BAD AND…

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WAS GOING DOWN A HILL WHEN I COULDN'T PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE IT WAS TOO STIFF! THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURN AND WITH A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS A HILL GOING BACK UP SO I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT AND PULL IT OFF THE ROAD FINE. GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT OTHER POINTS OF MY TRIP! MY BRAKE BOOSTER HAS GONE BAD AND MITSUBISHI SAYS IT'S NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND IT'S NEVER PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606033

160,000 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Service Brakes

RECALL ON ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS PERFORMED YEARS AGO. BRAKES ONCE AGAIN FAILED ALMOST COMPLETELY WITH WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN. LUCKILY SHE REMEMBERED THE PARKING BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. NEW ACCUMULATOR REPLACED AND BRAKES WERE AGAIN FINE FOR 3 DAYS...COMPLETE FAILURE AGAIN. DEALER INFORMS US THAT THE ENTIRE ABS ASSEMBLY NEEDS R…

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RECALL ON ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS PERFORMED YEARS AGO. BRAKES ONCE AGAIN FAILED ALMOST COMPLETELY WITH WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN. LUCKILY SHE REMEMBERED THE PARKING BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. NEW ACCUMULATOR REPLACED AND BRAKES WERE AGAIN FINE FOR 3 DAYS...COMPLETE FAILURE AGAIN. DEALER INFORMS US THAT THE ENTIRE ABS ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST AND LABOR OF AROUND (BETWEEN) $2800. AND $3600.00. THE RECALLED PART (THE ACCUMULATOR) I AM FINDING IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE ENTIRE ABS ASSEMBLY DAMAGE. IF THE PUMP TRIES AND CONTINUES TO TRY AND FILL THE LEAKING ACCUMULATOR THE PUMP FAILS. AS A RESULT THE PUMP AND ABS CONTROL (BRAIN) MODULE ARE ALL IN ONE AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE? HOW CAN WE GET MITSUBISHI TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE "COMPLETE ASSEMBLY" THE VEHICLE IS NOW USELESS AS WE SAVE OUR PENNIES AND SCRAPE TOGETHER WHAT WE CAN TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WE NOR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO FIX. I SEE MANY REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS VERY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555935

107,371 miles · Aug 30, 2013
Service Brakes

WHEN I STEP ON THE BREAK PEDAL I HEAR A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE BREAK IS NOT FUNCTIONAL SINCE IT IS HARD AND STAYS UP WHILE I DEPRESS WITH MY FOOT. WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING I HEAR THIS SOUND PERIODICAL AND A STEADY SOUND WITH THE ANTI LOCK/ BREAK LIGHT ON

NHTSA ODI #10538137

149,000 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Service BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID A PRECEDING VEHICLE THAN ABRUPTLY APPLIED THEIR BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER IMPACT. THE POLICE WERE NOT CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID A PRECEDING VEHICLE THAN ABRUPTLY APPLIED THEIR BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER IMPACT. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ADDITIONAL CRASHES AS A RESULT OF FAILED BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BASED ON HIS RESEARCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000.

NHTSA ODI #10493776

32,900 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CONTINUE ROLLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CONTINUE ROLLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCUMULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,900.

NHTSA ODI #10474151

85,718 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Service Brakes

I'M DRIVING DOWNHILL WHEN MY BRAKES START ACTING UP. IT WAS SO HARD AND NO POWER BRAKES , I NEEDED TO USE THE HAND BRAKES TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T GOING HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TOOK TO THE DEALER COST A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY SAID MY POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT F…

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I'M DRIVING DOWNHILL WHEN MY BRAKES START ACTING UP. IT WAS SO HARD AND NO POWER BRAKES , I NEEDED TO USE THE HAND BRAKES TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T GOING HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TOOK TO THE DEALER COST A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY SAID MY POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIX RIGHT AWAY IT COST FEW THOUSAND BUCKS FOR THE NEW ONE AND I DON'T WANT PUT A USED ONE BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF ITS GOING TO LAST. HOW COME MITSUBISHI MOTORS CAN'T HELP US FOR THIS THEY KNOW THESE PARTS ARE NOT GOING TO LAST. THAT'S WHY THEY CHANGED IT AND PUT A DIFFERENT ONE ON THEIR 2003 AND UP MODELS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10463206

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.