2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mitsubishi › Montero Sport › 2002
These records cover every 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
54 complaints14 involved a crash14 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Fuel/propulsion system
I checked and there's several recalls on the vehicle and I purchase it last year from the dealership and I never received anything about the recalls and now my vehicle doesn't want to start it lock me out.
- Engine
I have a 2002 Mitsibishi Montero Sport.I was driving home from work, and all the sudden i couldn't steer. I had no steering, Lost power to vehicle and battery light came on. Wasnt sure what happened, looked under the hood and noticed belts were off. Went and got new ones and noticed when trying to…
I have a 2002 Mitsibishi Montero Sport.I was driving home from work, and all the sudden i couldn't steer. I had no steering, Lost power to vehicle and battery light came on. Wasnt sure what happened, looked under the hood and noticed belts were off. Went and got new ones and noticed when trying to put the mew belts on the bolt on the crankshaft pulley was loose and the pin was broken making that pulley loose.I was lucky that I decided to take a street with less traffic otherwise I could of gotten into an accident.This should definitely be a RECALL.
- Power train
Drive mode selector will not move from the AWD position.
- Fuel/propulsion system · Service brakes · Structure › Body
The hood flew up when safety latch failed to hold it,, plus brake line troubles as well as gas tank fill pipe all rusted out,, hood was on highway at about 30mph an wrapped arround windshield,,
- Service brakes
My mechanic said that the hydraulic brake booster has been manufactured improperly which resulted in leakage of the pressurized nitrgen gas from inside the accumulator. The loss of this gas pressure resulted in an abnormal noise from the left side of the dash panel when the brakes are applied and…
My mechanic said that the hydraulic brake booster has been manufactured improperly which resulted in leakage of the pressurized nitrgen gas from inside the accumulator. The loss of this gas pressure resulted in an abnormal noise from the left side of the dash panel when the brakes are applied and can delay first time brake boost assist after the vehicle has been parked for a period of time and should be on the safety recall list no. Sr-01-008revii. He said this bulletin supercedes sr-01-008revi. He said that mitsubishi should replace the old hydraulic brake booster accumulator with the new model. Affected vehicles are 2001-2002 mitsubishi models produced before 6/20/01. I don't know the exact date my car was produced but this IS the problem for sure. I took it to a second mechanic and he agreed. The car does not stop properly and I am very afraid to drive it.
- Service brakes
My mitsubishi montero limited started making a strange noise from under the dash while driving. One day while driving when I applied the brake the pedal went all the way to the floor. I did some research and found a recall for the brake hydraulic booster for this vehicle but my vin number IS not showing a recall. When I contacted mitsubishi all they would say IS it's not covered under the recall. I don't understand
- Exterior lighting
Both head light beams sometimes disappear when switching to high beam while driving leaving you driving in the dark without any lights.
- Air bags · Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. When the steering wheel was turned left or right at a certain angle, the horn of the vehicle activated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an unknown module related to the air bag and a…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. When the steering wheel was turned left or right at a certain angle, the horn of the vehicle activated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an unknown module related to the air bag and a relay switch needed to be replaced. The relay switch was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.
- Structure › Body
Frame and undercarriage rot/rust. Was told by one shop about in 2013 that I had alot of rust on the frame when they replaced my rusted brake lines.. This week in october 2014 I had to replace a rusty fill pipe for my gas and the mechanic told me that I had major rust on the frame and undercarriage and that a rear end collision of any kind could potentially total my car. *tr
- Structure › Body
Brought 2002 montero sport for inspection inspector told me the rear frame and undercarriage was rotten vehicle was not to be driven. What do I do with vehicle now that I just paid it off and I cant drive? *tr
- Air bags · Electrical system
2002 mitsubishi montero sport; the car horn/alarm goes off usually when a drop of temperature occurs in the middle of the night. to fix ... Has something to do with a short in the electrical of the air bag and the steering wheel column. Very expensive for a mechanic, over $1200. I have to unhook…
2002 mitsubishi montero sport; the car horn/alarm goes off usually when a drop of temperature occurs in the middle of the night. to fix ... Has something to do with a short in the electrical of the air bag and the steering wheel column. Very expensive for a mechanic, over $1200. I have to unhook my battery every night and on colder days. Researching online.....a lot of people are disabling the horn/alarm system and driving without horns. Or they are tampering with the air bag to try and fix. It IS a very common problem....... Today I could not drive the car because every time I hooked the battery cable back up the horn stayed on. I am considering disabling the horn altogether. *tr
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
The rear view mirror changes automatically to night vision you can not change it back. It very difficult to see cars behind you with the way it changes and how close they are to you. My daughter backed into someone because she could not tell they were behind her. I have had problems with this also. I think it IS a safety hazard. You should be able to adjust the mirror yourself. And you can't. *tr
- Structure › Body
TL* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact stated that during a routine inspection, the contact was advised that the frame was rotting and there were twenty two inch-long fractures found in the frame. A dealer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 93,000.
- Electrical system · Equipment
2002 mitsubishi montero sport. the horn sounds for no reason, when the temperature drops below 55degrees. I must remove the fuse to silence it. it IS state required safety equipment. I contacted the lancaster, pa mitsubishi dealer but they won't reply. the problem started in the winter when the temperature dropped below 18 degrees. it IS 8 months later and a cold august night triggered it. *tr
- Air bags › Frontal
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. While the vehicle was stopped, another vehicle rear ended it and pushed it into three other vehicles. The front passenger air bag partially deployed but the driver side front air bag did not deploy at all. The contact sustained multiple injuries. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 122,785.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact noticed a fuel leak while she was adding fuel to the vehicle. She took the vehicle to a mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the fuel storage tank. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vin wasn't included…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact noticed a fuel leak while she was adding fuel to the vehicle. She took the vehicle to a mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the fuel storage tank. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vin wasn't included in recall 04v319000 fuel system, gasoline: storage. The vehicle will be taken to a dealer to be repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 67,037.
- Air bags › Frontal
I was in an auto accident and hit a car in it's side. I was going approximately 30 mph. the vehicle also rolled on it's left side after impact. I was the only front passenger. my airbag never deployed. my head ended up hitting the steering wheel. *Tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic
I have had several times to take my car to a service center to have my brakes checked and/or replaced. I have a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport LX that have given me discomfort when having to stop when traveling at speed above 45 mph. I have been told that the number of time I have replace my…
I have had several times to take my car to a service center to have my brakes checked and/or replaced. I have a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport LX that have given me discomfort when having to stop when traveling at speed above 45 mph. I have been told that the number of time I have replace my brakes are not normal. I have also been told to do a complete brake overhaul which caused me to get 2ND and 3RD opinions which IS costly as well. I feel that mitsubishi should be checked on this model and year for issues related to and not related to crashes over the past 6 years. *Tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. He stated that while driving 60 mph when it was raining and the wipers were on, the left side windshield wiper extended off of the windshield but it was still attached to the wiper motor. He noticed that the wiper was also slightly detached from…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. He stated that while driving 60 mph when it was raining and the wipers were on, the left side windshield wiper extended off of the windshield but it was still attached to the wiper motor. He noticed that the wiper was also slightly detached from the metal mounting. The dealer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls. No repairs have been made at this time. The failure mileage was 10,8069 and the current mileage was 10,8085.
- Electrical system › Horn
Horn button when the accessory socket IS in use or not in use,the horn continues to blow when the button IS released. Therefore the fuse to the horn must be disconnected at all times. I had it put on a diagnostic machine and in order to have this fixed it will cost $1300 because the problem has to…
Horn button when the accessory socket IS in use or not in use,the horn continues to blow when the button IS released. Therefore the fuse to the horn must be disconnected at all times. I had it put on a diagnostic machine and in order to have this fixed it will cost $1300 because the problem has to do with the air bag. If it were the relay switch it would have been $24. This IS not from what I think IS something that consumers must pay for. I live in the state of virginia where it IS required to have vehicle safety inspection done every year and the first thing that's checked IS the horn. How can something that needs to be operable that's out of the normal wear and tear not be a recall? This has been going on since 2007 and I still have not gotten a response from anyone on this matter. Every year I've been skating by crossing my fingers and hope that the horn will not sound off. Here recently I can't put the fuse in at all without the horn continually sounding off. It sound like someone IS just sitting in my car holding their hand down on the horn... This has been going on since 2007 primarily when it's cold outside to now 2010. There has been numerous times in this time frame where I could have used the horn to prevent someone from almost hitting me. *Tr
- Air bags › Frontal
I was a passenger in a 2002 mitsubishi montero and we were hit head on doing 40+ on the highway. Neither front airbag deployed. I fractured my humorous requiring surgery for the installation of hardware to mend the bone. *tr
- Air bags › Frontal
My 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. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. during an oil change, firestone found a leak in the gasket and valve. the mechanic believed the flow engine valve caused the leak. the vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. there had been no failure to date. the purchase date and current mileage were unknown.
- Air bags › Frontal
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. while driving 35 mph, the contact's wife rear ended another vehicle. the front air bags failed to deploy. the seat belt did not retract and she lunged forward into the steering wheel. his wife sustained minor injuries to her arm, face, and…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi montero sport. while driving 35 mph, the contact's wife rear ended another vehicle. the front air bags failed to deploy. the seat belt did not retract and she lunged forward into the steering wheel. his wife sustained minor injuries to her arm, face, and chest. the vehicle sustained major front end damage. the dealer has not been notified. a police report was filed. the current and failure mileages were 68,000.
- Air bags › Frontal
My family and I were involved in a four-car pile up. We rear-ended a 4runner at 45 mph and the front air bags never deployed. Husband has severe back trouble and I suffer neck and shoulder pain. *nm
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.
- 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.
- 10016137Transfer case oil quantity - service manual revision.
- 10010792Corrected automatic a/c compressor controller terminal voltage table - service manual revision.
- 10007308Powertrain control module (pcm) reprogramming for engine hesitation / diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0154.
- 10004660Shift flare during the 2nd-to-3rd gear upshift may be due to learned data in the powertrain control module (pcm).
- 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.
- 10003753Oxygen sensor detection.
- 10002271Air conditioner refrigerant quantity - service manual revision.
- 10001208Corrected vacuum hose routing diagrams - service manual revision.
- 10001040A pulsating or rattle noise heard when the air conditioner IS on.
- 10001036Speedometer driven gear worn.
- 10000437Powertrain control module (pcm) reprogramming for engine stalling / engine hesitation / diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0154.
- 10000095Powertrain control module (pcm) reprogramming for engine stalling / engine hesitation / diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0154.
- 637076Information on diagnosing diagnostic trouble code p1751 and the service engine soon light on.
- 637074Information on a diagnostic trouble code p0174 set
- 636901Vehicle technical information regarding rke transmitter reprogramming tip.
- 636857Bulletin review regarding tsb-02-23-005 - instructions for applying body sealant, installing a front floor pad, and replacing the automatic transmission control cable to reduce noise.
- 636851Service review regarding tsb-02-13-014 - fuel tank differential pressure sensor - service manual revision.
- 636849Service review regarding tsb-02-11-004 - engine diesel noise at idle.
- 636825On some vehicles, customers may find that when programming the rke answerback function the desired function change may not take place.
- 635092Subject regarding fuel tank differentialpressure sensor - service manual revision.
Every Mitsubishi Montero Sport model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.