2002 Mitsubishi Montero
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mitsubishi › Montero › 2002
These records cover every 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
On certain sport utility vehicles, when the fuel tank IS full and the vehicle IS parked facing forward on an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve may not maintain proper sealing in the event the fuel expands from a rise in the ambient temperature.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the fuel leveling valve does not seal properly, fuel may leak onto the ground. fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the leveling valve. the recall began on august 30, 2004. owners should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 or mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
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 and remedy
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.
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.
Owner complaints
111 complaints9 involved a crash1 involved a fire8 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
My horn goes off when I turn the steering wheel or hit bumps when driving and when parked and turned off, if its close to freezing it will go off constantly early in the morning before dawn and I have to disconnect the battery or pull the fuse for the horn under the hood fuse panel to stop it. I…
My horn goes off when I turn the steering wheel or hit bumps when driving and when parked and turned off, if its close to freezing it will go off constantly early in the morning before dawn and I have to disconnect the battery or pull the fuse for the horn under the hood fuse panel to stop it. I can't drive it with a horn fuse in and have tried replacing the steering wheel airbag and it still has the same problem. My neighbor had the same issue on his 04 Jeep and his car was fixed with an airbag actuator recall. No warning lights ever come on. Only my mechanic has looked at the vehicle.
- Service brakes
I was driving down the highway, without any prior indication the brake light, and break alarm came on and my breaks went out. All at the same.
- Exterior lighting · Fuel/propulsion system
My car has 2 recalls and my local Mitsubishi dealer refused to fix the recalls.
- Electrical system · Engine · Exterior lighting
We have the car for the past 17 years and we alwasy have a electrical, engine and head lights problems. The dealership said the they can fix it . We paid good money for them to fix it
- Service brakes
A/l brake light goes off everytime brake pedals IS applied accompanied with an abnormal noise from the dash. there IS a nhtsa campaign #01v254002 about a brake booster accumulator defect. I took it to the dealer for possible recall fix but got denied since its not part of their recall campaign.…
A/l brake light goes off everytime brake pedals IS applied accompanied with an abnormal noise from the dash. there IS a nhtsa campaign #01v254002 about a brake booster accumulator defect. I took it to the dealer for possible recall fix but got denied since its not part of their recall campaign. shouldnt this be part of a recall campaign since its a safety issue? Do I need to wait until the brakes fail and get into an accident?
- Unknown or other
Takata recall I have problem with my security alarm system it goes off for no reason and also the horn when the weather drops cold the horn going off continuously my mechanic change the horn relay more than 3 times but the issue still the same. I don't understand these two issues are connected or not but I need help.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle made a chirping sound. The brakes failed to respond and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle made a chirping sound. The brakes failed to respond and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were both made aware of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 01v254002 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving various speeds, the transfer case warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front transfer case sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
- Electrical system · Fuel/propulsion system
The cluster was repaired in the montero but it only works once in awhile. the panel will tell me every now and then if I have fuel or not. also, we had to pay to have an issue resolved that shouldn't have cost us anything because it was shown here as a defect for our make and model. our car was…
The cluster was repaired in the montero but it only works once in awhile. the panel will tell me every now and then if I have fuel or not. also, we had to pay to have an issue resolved that shouldn't have cost us anything because it was shown here as a defect for our make and model. our car was leaking gas, and mitsubishi refused to fix it, at their expense, even though it was listed here and there were very many complaints filed. we had to tow the car in because of the leak, and the fire department was called. amazing that so little care was shown by mitsubishi for something that could have caused a serious accident. this was the complaint and the recall (nhtsa recall ID 01v254001) about the car being parked at an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve not maintaining proper sealing in the even that the fuel expands from the rise in ambient temp. Leakage of pressurized nitrogen gas from inside the accumulator, etc. please check the recall notice.
- Service brakes
While driving on central street in hoffman estates, il the brake light & ABS light came on. also an alarm sounded. loss all brakes. we were just going to go on the highway 90. this could of ended up deadly. upon inspection by pep boys, it was the hydraulic brake booster has failed. the SUV can not be driven until this part IS replaced. I have new brakes on the SUV. *tr
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving 5 mph, the contact noticed an abnormal noise was heard from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake booster vacuum accumulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving 5 mph, the contact noticed an abnormal noise was heard from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake booster vacuum accumulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of nhtsa campaign number: 01v254001 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the vin was not included. The failure mileage was 180,000.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving 5 mph, an abnormal screeching noise was heard when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 01v254001 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the ABS delayed to engage and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS failed. The contact stated that the front…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the ABS delayed to engage and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS failed. The contact stated that the front driver side axle was replaced. The failure was not corrected. The contact also heard an abnormal noise while driving. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the brake accumulator failed. The manufacturer was advised that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 01v254001 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
- Exterior lighting · Fuel/propulsion system
Nhtsa recall ID: 04v319000 mitsubishi montero 2002 (02) mitsubishi recall campaign no.: sr-04-009 component: fuel system, gasoline:storage recall date (y/m):2004/07 defect: on certain sport utility vehicles, when the fuel tank IS full and the vehicle IS parked forward on an upward slope, the…
Nhtsa recall ID: 04v319000 mitsubishi montero 2002 (02) mitsubishi recall campaign no.: sr-04-009 component: fuel system, gasoline:storage recall date (y/m):2004/07 defect: on certain sport utility vehicles, when the fuel tank IS full and the vehicle IS parked forward on an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve may not maintain proper sealing in the event the fuel expands from the rise in ambient temperature. nhtsa recall ID: 01v254001 mitsubishi montero 2002 (02) mitsubishi recall campaign no.: component: service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum recall date (y/m):2001/08 defect: 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.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that a loud grinding sound emitted from the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed while reversing from a parking space. In addition, while driving at various speeds, a squealing sound was heard coming from the hood of the…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. The contact stated that a loud grinding sound emitted from the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed while reversing from a parking space. In addition, while driving at various speeds, a squealing sound was heard coming from the hood of the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic brake booster accumulator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 01v254001 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
- Structure › Body
I took my truck for a frame inspection, frame was rend endeared unsafe and rusted all the way through. Body & engine are intact. New frame IS 10,000.00. The mechanic told me their were numerous complaints about this years frame. He said the metal was dipped correctly. I can obtain a written report. I also called mitsubishi & they said they could not offer any compensation.
- Electrical system
My 2002 mitsubishi montero xls was stationary and parked for the night on the street in front of my house. At approximately 4:00 am, the alarm started to sound and the lights were flashing. the first night, the neighbors and police discovered it before me, so the police broke into my car, opened…
My 2002 mitsubishi montero xls was stationary and parked for the night on the street in front of my house. At approximately 4:00 am, the alarm started to sound and the lights were flashing. the first night, the neighbors and police discovered it before me, so the police broke into my car, opened the hood, and disconnected the battery. when I reconnected the battery the next morning, the alarm continued to sound, so I removed the fuse for the horn and replaced it later that day, to be greeted with silence. Four nights later, I had the fuse for the horn back in the vehicle. I was woken up at 2:00 am to the sound of my horn blaring. I once again, had to remove the fuse for the horn. this issue has turned out to be both a public nuisance and unsafe.
- Air bags · Structure › Body
Takata recall - my late husband and I were in a SUV rollover accident in may 4, 2006. Our vehicle was rear-ended by another SUV and ultimately involved four (4) vehicles total. The airbags in our vehicle did not deploy and my husband died later from complications induced by internal bleeding.…
Takata recall - my late husband and I were in a SUV rollover accident in may 4, 2006. Our vehicle was rear-ended by another SUV and ultimately involved four (4) vehicles total. The airbags in our vehicle did not deploy and my husband died later from complications induced by internal bleeding. Police report filed and sent to manufacturer with no response or comment. noticed that there are several airbag complaints with ntsb for my vehicle type with no open investigations. my husband's death should trigger some type of investigation or concern from both ntsb and the manufacturer.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing.…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
- Service brakes
The power brake master cylinder power booster accumulator IS defective as outlined ion your recall 01-v254-001. I made an appointment at bergstrom automotive appleton wi to repair the problem. They informed me that it IS not included in the recall due to the time my vehicle was built and indicted…
The power brake master cylinder power booster accumulator IS defective as outlined ion your recall 01-v254-001. I made an appointment at bergstrom automotive appleton wi to repair the problem. They informed me that it IS not included in the recall due to the time my vehicle was built and indicted that they did not have the part. please be known that my vehicle has the recall problem as stated in the nhtsa notification. They claimed my vehicle does not qualify for the recall due to the production date of my vehicle but I did not care we just needed to get the car fixed. An appointment was made on 7/20/15 to have the repair made. Bergstrom confirmed on 7/14/15 that the parts arrived. An appointment was made for 7/24/15 to fix the accumulator. We drove 2 hours to the bergstrom's for this appointment, waited 2 1/2 hours in their show room for them to make the repair, and drove 2 hours home. when stacy the service consultant spoke with us she proceeded to glaze over the accumulator and proceeded to discus the headlight repair which I never requested. They never fixed the accumulator but proceeded to fix the head light adjuster instead. I wasted 6 1/2 hours and the master cylinder accumulator has not fixed. to sum it up: repair not made, said it was covered then not covered under the recall. Was told that it was. 6 1/2 hours wasted.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While the vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, it was discovered that the hydraulic brake booster accumulator module assembly was defective. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was rock hard, which made it difficult to stop the…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. While the vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, it was discovered that the hydraulic brake booster accumulator module assembly was defective. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was rock hard, which made it difficult to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure as listed in nhtsa campaign number 01v254001: (service brakes); however, the vin was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Electrical system
While parked in my driveway at night, my 2002 limited mitsubishi montero's car alarm will go off at exactly 4:30 am each morning until we disable the alarm with the remote. We checked and no one else or thing IS bumping or setting off the alarm. *tr
- Air bags
My montero have the takata air bag. The horn inside air bag not working I order a air bag the air bag specialist told me that there IS a takata air bag and he will not replace it because he say IS part of a national recall of takata air bag. So I'm driving w/o the horn .creating a safety issue in…
My montero have the takata air bag. The horn inside air bag not working I order a air bag the air bag specialist told me that there IS a takata air bag and he will not replace it because he say IS part of a national recall of takata air bag. So I'm driving w/o the horn .creating a safety issue in case of emergency I call mitsubishi and they say no recall. Please tell me what to do. [Xxx] e mail [xxx] ph [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).' *tr
- Air bags · Electrical system
Aging of the cosmetic vinyl covering on steering wheel that covers air bag module will contract too much in cold weather, approximately 40 degrees f or lower causing car horn to go off even without engine running. the vinyl covering squeezes the car horn contacts that are just under the cover and on top of air bag module. *tr
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero. When the brake pedal was applied, the contact heard a loud noise under the front driver side hood. The dealer stated that the accumulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake booster accumulator failure
In october 2001, mitsubishi notified the agency that it would conduct a safety recall (nhtsa recall no. 01V-254) to remedy a defect condition that could result in a leak of pressurized nitrogen gas from the hydraulic brake booster accumulator in approximately 39,000 model years (my) 2001-2002 mitsubishi montero…
In october 2001, mitsubishi notified the agency that it would conduct a safety recall (nhtsa recall no. 01V-254) to remedy a defect condition that could result in a leak of pressurized nitrogen gas from the hydraulic brake booster accumulator in approximately 39,000 model years (my) 2001-2002 mitsubishi montero vehicles produced from december 12, 1999 through june 20, 2001. According to mitsubishi, the accumulator that IS installed on the hydraulic brake booster may have been manufactured improperly, which over a period of time may result in leakage of the pressurized nitrogen gas from inside the accumulator. The loss of this gas pressure may 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.during rq06-007, mitsubishi indicated that the decision to conduct recall 01v-254 was based on projected failure rates of 36.5% within 2-years of service and 100% in the first 4-years of service. The office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq06-007 based on six complaints of hydraulic brake booster accumulator failure in the approximately 23,335 my 2002 montero vehicles that were built after the vehicles recalled in 01v-254.one of the complaints alleged that the failure resulted in a crash.during the investigation, odi identified 20 consumer complaints and 58 warranty claims related to brake booster accumulator failure in the subject vehicles, resulting in a complaint rate of approximately 85 per 100,000 vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 0.25%.mitsubishi?s projected accumulator failure rates at 2- and 4-years in service for the subject vehicles were 0.5% and 1.3% respectively and odi?s analyses produced similar results.odi?s investigation found that the incidents of increased brake pedal effort typically occurred within the first few seconds after the engine was started and were accompanied by noise associated with the accumulator charging.odi?s investigation of the crash incident concluded that it could not be attributed to the alleged defect condition.odi also collected and analyzed data for post-remedy accumulator failures in vehicles that had the 01v-254 repairs completed.mitsubishi provided data during the investigation that indicated 95% of the recalled vehicles had received the recall remedy.for these vehicles, there were 14 complaints and 249 warranty claims identified, resulting in a complaint rate of 28 per 100,000 vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 0.64%.analysis of these failures showed a declining trend with increasing vehicle age, with almost half of the warranty claims occurring within the first 12-months after receiving the recall remedy. Due to the low failure rates, absence of related crashes, and no indication of increasing failure trends in either the subject vehicles or post-repair recall population this investigation IS closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10240443This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- 10235609This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
- 10235608This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.
- 10235606This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- 10211530This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
- 10170852This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
- 10170100This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170099This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012.
- 10170097This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170096This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170087This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170074This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170070This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.
- 10169006This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10145181This is a Technical Information Notice sent to dealers, to inform them that MB991855V (12-13 Pin Reprogramming Adapter) is now available for purchase. To reprogram 2002 - 2006 Montero and 2003 - 2006 Outlander vehicles, MB991855 is necessary. This tool was removed from our essential tool kit due to its limited application and became part of our tool loaner program.
- 10130469This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10130468This is a message sent to dealers, to inform them that an update for MEDIC will be available.
- 10021743Reprogramming the pcm drivability or sensitivity issues can be corrected.
- 10020120Rear axle shaft flange coming loose.
- 10018379Rv meter temperature display update. Mitsubishi. Tech talk.
- 10016421Remote controlled mirrors circuit diagrams-service manual revision.
- 10016169A/c compressor oil specification - service manual revision.
- 10016139Powertrain control module (pcm) reprogramming for diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0134.
- 10015216Spare tire cover fit.
- 10014398Engine stalling hesitation.
- 10014388Rv meter reading incorrect.
- 10014385Rear seat does not unlatch.
- 10014377Rwd/4wd light blinks.
- 10014291Mirror reading oc or sc after collision.
- 10013783Rv meter temperature display. 8EH
- 10013734Updated miller tool information.
- 10010662Drive pinion height adjustment service manuel revision.
- 10005637This bulletin contains corrected procedures for handling ball joint dust covers and inner retainers during tie rod end ball joint and front and rear suspension upper arm ball joint removal.
- 10004448Torque converter shudder, surge, and/or vibration (possibly intermittent) when driving 35-50 mph at steady throttle.
- 10004443Vacuum hose routing diagram label must be changed- service campaign.
- 10003068Noise from front wheel hub bearing - improvements.
- 10001037Hydraulic brake booster accumulator disposal - service manual revision.
Every Mitsubishi Montero model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.