2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mitsubishi › Montero Sport › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
31 complaints6 involved a crash2 involved a fire4 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Fuel/propulsion system · Wheels
Plug wires seem to have continual manufacturers mistakes, the oil IS forced to direct a path to the plugs caused to misfire
- Electrical system · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
"Takata recall" when a oil leek accor in due time it automatically drips directly on one of the spark plugs.also the emissions control system doesn't function a reading electronic diagnostic when finding issue
- Fuel/propulsion system
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. While parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. In addition, fuel was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v319000 (fuel system, propulsion system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
- Engine
Pin in the harmonic balancer broke causing vehicle to sling a/c belt and drive belt causing harmonic balancer to seize up. Pin was replaced. Months later the check engine light began to come on showing a code of misfire. As well as harmonic balancer coming loose...**5/5/15**..... belts come off on…
Pin in the harmonic balancer broke causing vehicle to sling a/c belt and drive belt causing harmonic balancer to seize up. Pin was replaced. Months later the check engine light began to come on showing a code of misfire. As well as harmonic balancer coming loose...**5/5/15**..... belts come off on high way doing about 70 mph. Harmonic balancer loose again. Crank bolt stuck and un removable.belts came off and got caught in fan...updated 07/30/15 *bf updated 9/29/2015*js
- Air bags
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact was driving at approximately 45 mph while steering abruptly, the vehicle went off road and flipped over three times landing on its roof. The airbags failed to deploy. The driver sustained unknown injuries that required medical…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact was driving at approximately 45 mph while steering abruptly, the vehicle went off road and flipped over three times landing on its roof. The airbags failed to deploy. The driver sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 240,000.
- Air bags · Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
[Xxx] license #[xxx] vin# [xxx] *tr
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the engine made a knocking sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Electrical system
Very cold night , sub zero. horn started blowing and continued until fuse burnt out. left strong burnt wiring smell. *tr
- Engine · Vehicle speed control
I was pulling in a sheets station and going into a parking space when my accelerator pedal stuck to the floor and when I left go the brake pedal vehicle kept moving and crashed into a red post which stopped the vehicle then I noticed the gas pedal coming back up and was able to ,put in reverse…
I was pulling in a sheets station and going into a parking space when my accelerator pedal stuck to the floor and when I left go the brake pedal vehicle kept moving and crashed into a red post which stopped the vehicle then I noticed the gas pedal coming back up and was able to ,put in reverse and cruise back in same parking space did damage to motor and radiator and front body my wife claims this has done it to her as well. I was scared. *tr
- Engine · Service brakes
I just picked up my son's vehicle from the service garage where I had just had new brakes and rotors installed for him. I was on the way to meet my husband at the grocery store but needed to drop off some letters at the outdoor mail box at the post office which was < 1/4 mile from the service…
I just picked up my son's vehicle from the service garage where I had just had new brakes and rotors installed for him. I was on the way to meet my husband at the grocery store but needed to drop off some letters at the outdoor mail box at the post office which was < 1/4 mile from the service garage. as I pulled up to the post office drop box, I had my foot on the brake and was going just a few miles an hour. all of a sudden the engine revved loudly and the vehicle lurched forward. I pushed harder on the brake but it wouldn't stop! thank god there was no one in front of me or in the parking lot, so I just steered the vehicle around the lot concentrating on not hitting anything! all the while trying to brake the vehicle to a stop. it took about 10-15 seconds and the engine finally revved back down (to the normal sound) and the brakes worked and I was able to stop the vehicle. I was able to drive the car to the grocery store without another incident. this has never happened before (my son was given the vehicle at about 50,000 miles) according to my son. it was very frightening-i am so glad no one was in front of me. I just want some kind of record of this, in case something happens later. IS there any other complaints of this? *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. while driving over 30 mph, the vehicle would jerk backwards and hesitate. whether the vehicle was idling or in park, the contact smelled a strong odor of burning oil. the dealer stated that the failure may be minor and could not assist because…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. while driving over 30 mph, the vehicle would jerk backwards and hesitate. whether the vehicle was idling or in park, the contact smelled a strong odor of burning oil. the dealer stated that the failure may be minor and could not assist because the vehicle was not covered under warranty. the contact intends to take the vehicle in for service soon. the failure and current mileages were less than 96,000.
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts
I rear-ended an SUV going about 30-35 mph and my airbags failed to deploy and my seatbelt failed to catch, throwing my upper body forward into the steering wheel. The police at the scene of the accident said they could not believe my airbags did not deploy with the amount of damage to the front end of my vehicle. *Tr
- Electrical system › Horn
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. the contact stated that the horn worked sporadically. in addition, the horn would continue to sound unless the fuse was disconnected. the contact replaced the fuse; however, the failure continued to occur. as of january 3, 2008, the dealer or manufacturer had not inspected the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 66,280.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket failures on 2003 mitsubishi montero sport 3.5 l V6 engine. 1. No preceding event, car started idling rough when first started. Idle smoothes after a short time. 2. Right side head gasket started leaking coolant into cyl #2 at 30K miles, replaced under warranty. left side head gasket…
Head gasket failures on 2003 mitsubishi montero sport 3.5 l V6 engine. 1. No preceding event, car started idling rough when first started. Idle smoothes after a short time. 2. Right side head gasket started leaking coolant into cyl #2 at 30K miles, replaced under warranty. left side head gasket started leaking coolant into cyl #1 at 65,600 miles. Replacement denied by manufacturer, even thought it IS an obvious manufacturing defect. 3. not yet replaced due to cost. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55mph on rough slippery roads the vehicle slid off the road. after pulling back on the road, the vehicle started fish tailing and went over a twenty foot embankment. the vehicle uprooted a tree. during this time the frontal airbags failed to deploy.…
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55mph on rough slippery roads the vehicle slid off the road. after pulling back on the road, the vehicle started fish tailing and went over a twenty foot embankment. the vehicle uprooted a tree. during this time the frontal airbags failed to deploy. moderate head injuries were sustained by the driver. there was a police report filed. the insurance company determined the vehicle was a total loss, but has not investigated the reason for the airbag failure.
- Suspension
2003 mitsubishi montero sport experiencing problems with the steering as well as the vehicle bottoming out while driving.*mr while driving the vehicle would wander all over the road and bounces when driven over small bumps in the road. the steering was very loose with 1/8 to 1/4 inches of play.…
2003 mitsubishi montero sport experiencing problems with the steering as well as the vehicle bottoming out while driving.*mr while driving the vehicle would wander all over the road and bounces when driven over small bumps in the road. the steering was very loose with 1/8 to 1/4 inches of play. there was also a thumping noise under the driver's left foot. the dealer checked the alignment and stated that everything. the problem continued and worsened over time. the vehicle was taken to a profession tire shop that determined that eh vehicle suspension was the cause of the problem. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
I have a brand new 2003 mitsubishi montero sport with a 3.0 engine. The cam shaft came apart and the mitsubishi rep refuse to authorize the repair. This vehicle IS still under the new car warranty. Nothing was done to repair my vehicle. The SUV needs a new engine. What happen to customer service? *jb
- Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
While driving at any speed vehicle swerved in different directions. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. mechanic determined that the rear axles broke and needed to be replaced. *ak
- Suspension · Vehicle speed control
While applying the brake or at a complete stop the vehicle would accelerate suddenly. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated. *Ak the vehicle also had vibration problems. *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
By 20,000 miles the truck's front brake rotors were so out of round that the truck IS very difficult to control durring braking. the dealer reports that the braking system, and more importantly the brake pads are not covered under the new car warrenty. this IS rediculous. I have never needed to have a truck's braking system serviced before 80,000 miles.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
The owner smelled gasoline fuel when operating vehicle and starting it one last time, the engine compartment burst into flames. this loss was investigated by superior investigations 800-779-2858. the fuel rail pressure valve was loose, and caused fuel to leak and start a fire.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
While driving at any speed dashboard lights reflected on the external rear view mirror at night. consumer considered the reflection very distracting while driving. *ak speedometer reflects off driver side window and onto the exterior rear view mirror. *la
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Structure
I bought the truck on a cloudy day. when the sun hit it, it had swirl marks burnt into it from where it was buffed at the factory. when turned in they buffed it again. now that it rained it still shows all. another problem IS the transmission. it has severe lag and sometimes won't shift at all. *Jb
- Steering
Vehicle sways, wonders on the road and IS uncontrollable. also, it feels as though something IS loose under the front end. I have taken this vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions, and I've been told by the mechanic that he feels exactly that which I am describing but there IS nothing wrong…
Vehicle sways, wonders on the road and IS uncontrollable. also, it feels as though something IS loose under the front end. I have taken this vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions, and I've been told by the mechanic that he feels exactly that which I am describing but there IS nothing wrong and that other vehicles were driven and that they too did the same thing. this IS a very dangerous obstacle to have control of a motor vehicle. *la
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Brake rotors and pads replaced every 3,000-4,000 miles. Dealer claimed it was driver's abuse that caused premature wear of brake rotors/pads. Consumer was furious. Currently, after 4,000 miles. Brakes were shot.*ak
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.
- 10005271Corrected specified engine coolant - service manual revision.
- 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.
- 10004447New radiator cap opening pressure specifications - service manual revision.
- 10004443Vacuum hose routing diagram label must be changed- service campaign.
- 10003753Oxygen sensor detection.
- 10002724Shudder at acceleration / suspension bottoming out.
- 10002271Air conditioner refrigerant quantity - service manual revision.
- 10002027Immobilizer system information update (2003 models).
- 10001208Corrected vacuum hose routing diagrams - service manual revision.
- 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.
- 636848Subject regarding tsb-02-00-010 - technical specifications.
- 634703Subject regarding technical specifications.
- 634567Subject regarding body repair information.
Every Mitsubishi Montero Sport model year
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