NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1997–2009

Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 348 owner complaints for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, covering model years 1997 to 2009. The 2000 model year drew the most complaints (97), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

4 recall campaigns on file
348 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
9 model years with data (1997–2009)

most complaints: 2000 (97 for that model year)
top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (59 complaints)
latest recall 04V095000 (reported Feb 20, 2004)

58 complaints reporting a crash (16.7%)
12 complaints reporting a fire (3.4%)
40 complaints reporting an injury (11.5%)
3 complaints reporting a death (0.9%)

Mitsubishi Montero Sport complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2000 model year has the most complaints: 97 of 348, or 27.9%. Next come 2001 (63) and 2002 (54). The fewest are for 2009, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Mitsubishi Montero Sport complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Mitsubishi Montero Sport complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
1997	29	2	1	1	0
1998	35	5	1	3	0
1999	33	4	4	3	0
2000	97	17	1	10	1
2001	63	8	3	6	0
2002	54	14	0	11	1
2003	31	6	2	4	1
2004	5	1	0	1	0
2009	1	1	0	1	0
All model years	348	58	12	40	3

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mitsubishi Montero Sport components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 59 complaints (17.0% of all 348), followed by Service Brakes, Hydraulic (47) and Power Train (42).

Components named most often in Mitsubishi Montero Sport complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Mitsubishi Montero Sport complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling	59	17.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	47	13.5%
Power Train	42	12.1%
Air Bags	41	11.8%
Electrical System	36	10.3%
Steering	31	8.9%
Structure	28	8.0%
Suspension	28	8.0%
Equipment	14	4.0%
Vehicle Speed Control	14	4.0%
Engine	11	3.2%
Visibility	11	3.2%
Fuel System, Gasoline	10	2.9%
Seat Belts	10	2.9%
Tires	9	2.6%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Montero Sport, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 1997 to 2004. The 1999 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

4 recall campaigns

Mitsubishi Montero Sport recall campaigns covering each model year
Decade	Years ending in 0	Years ending in 1	Years ending in 2	Years ending in 3	Years ending in 4	Years ending in 5	Years ending in 6	Years ending in 7	Years ending in 8	Years ending in 9
1990s								1997: 1 campaign	1998: 1 campaign	1999: 3 campaigns
2000s	2000: 1 campaign	2001: 1 campaign	2002: no campaigns	2003: no campaigns	2004: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 04V095000
Reported Feb 20, 2004
Equipment › Other › Labels
Model year 2004
On certain sport utility vehicles, the vehicle capacity weights as stated on the tire and loading information label are in error.
Consequence:
This information could potentially result in consumers loading their vehicles beyond the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Remedy:
Owners will be sent replacement labels with instructions on how to install them. The recall began on April 14, 2004. Owners should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 01V027000
Reported Feb 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Model years 1999–2001
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L engines. These vehicles do not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 106, "brake hoses." These vehicles are equipped with noncompliant brake vacuum hoses.
Consequence:
These hoses could burst causing fluid leakage, increasing the braking capability of the vehicle and could result in a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the vacuum hose. Owner notification began February 15, 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.
Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 00V311001
Reported Oct 2, 2000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Model years 1997–1999
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles: mirage model vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines; Montero Sport models equipped with 3.0L engines; and montero models equipped with 3.0L engines. The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose and the pulley could fall off the vehicle.
Consequence:
The condition can result in a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
On the mirage vehicles, the dealers will install a new, improved crankshaft pulley bolt on the older engines. On new engines which already have the improved bolt, the dealer will tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to the correct torque specification. On the montero models, dealers will tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to the correct torque specifications. If the bolt is damaged, it will be replaced.
Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 99V041000
Reported Mar 4, 1999
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Model year 1999
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive and automatic transmissions. Automatic transmission fluid could be vented onto the hot exhaust system as a result of unanticipated heat generation in the transmission.
Consequence:
The vented transmission fluid could come into contact with the hot exhaust system and ignition of the transmission fluid could result.
Remedy:
Dealers will modify the transmission control unit to limit vehicle speed to below approximately 30 miles per hour when the vehicle is operated in the four-wheel-drive low range, an additional label describing the proper use of four-wheel-drive low range will be provided, and will relocate the transmission breather vent. In addition, the owner's manual will be corrected with the proper information to reflect the change to the speed limitations in the four-wheel-drive low range.
Filed by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, covering model years 1997 to 2009. The most recent, 04V095000, was reported on February 20, 2004 and is filed under “Equipment”. The 1999 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Mitsubishi Montero Sport model year has the most complaints?

The 2000 model year, with 97 of the 348 complaints in NHTSA’s file (27.9%). The next are 2001 (63) and 2002 (54). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mitsubishi Montero Sport complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 59 complaints, or 17.0% of all 348. Service Brakes, Hydraulic (47) and Power Train (42) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mitsubishi Montero Sport?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mitsubishi dealer.

How many Mitsubishi Montero Sport complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 348 complaints, 58 report a crash, 12 a fire, 40 at least one injury and 3 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Mitsubishi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mitsubishi VIN decoder with every Mitsubishi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Mitsubishi Eclipse 1995–2012 · 26 recalls · 1,914 complaints
Mitsubishi Galant 1995–2012 · 22 recalls · 1,419 complaints
Mitsubishi Outlander 2003–2026 · 41 recalls · 1,319 complaints
Mitsubishi Lancer 1996–2017 · 15 recalls · 865 complaints
Mitsubishi Montero 1995–2006 · 10 recalls · 667 complaints
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2011–2026 · 26 recalls · 476 complaints
Mitsubishi Mirage 1995–2024 · 8 recalls · 465 complaints
Mitsubishi Diamante 1995–2004 · 4 recalls · 407 complaints

All Mitsubishi models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.