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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

Steering complaints

8 reports
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225,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
EngineSteering

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 SHA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11110448

7,500 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Exterior LightingSteeringSuspension

STABILITY FAILURE AND LIGHTS DEFECT

NHTSA ODI #11021396

137,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

POWER STRING PUMP FAILED. REAR BRAKES LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622065

62,000 miles · Feb 13, 2007
SteeringCrash

THE STEERING BOX SHAFT COMPLETELY SNAPPED APART, STEERING WAS LOST AND HAD TO DRIFT INTO A GUARDRAIL TO STOP VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD PART WAS 2100 DOLLARS FOR STEERING. IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING LESS THAN 15 MPH THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIASTER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182472

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2004
Steering

THIS VEHICLE WHILE BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT SEPARATED THE INNER TIE ROD FROM THE OUTTER THERE ARE NO SINGS OF DAMAGE OR ABUSE THAT I COULD FIND. THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PLAY. WE HAVE TRIED TWO INNER AND TWO OUTTER AND THE SAME RESULT. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES THIS NORMAL. I AM NOT THE OWNER…

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THIS VEHICLE WHILE BACKING FROM A PARKING SPOT SEPARATED THE INNER TIE ROD FROM THE OUTTER THERE ARE NO SINGS OF DAMAGE OR ABUSE THAT I COULD FIND. THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PLAY. WE HAVE TRIED TWO INNER AND TWO OUTTER AND THE SAME RESULT. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES THIS NORMAL. I AM NOT THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS BROUGHT TO ME TO BE REPAIRED. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECH. I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100891

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

ENGINE STALLS CONSTANTLY WHEN COMING TO STOPS.ALSO, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN TURNING IN ANY DIRECTION. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048284

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2002
SteeringFire

IT APPEARS A PRESSURE LEAK OF THE RUBBERIZED HOSE CAUSED FLUID TO SPRAY ONTO THE HOT MANIFOLD CAUSING A FIRE OF THE VEHICLE ABOVE. THIS LOSS WAS INVESTIGATED BY SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIONS OF FLORIDA INC. AND CAN BE REACHED AT 727-848-3923. DT

NHTSA ODI #768652

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
SteeringCrash

HAVING VIEWED ROLLOVER RISK ON CONSUMER REPORTS TESTS ON MONTERO, I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747212

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.