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2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 33.

About this comparison →
31Owner complaints

Model-year median: 33

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
97
200063
200154
200231
20035
2004
Compare all Montero Sport years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
5Electrical System
5Engine
5Power Train
5Engine And Engine Cooling
4
All reported categories
Fuel/propulsion System
3Suspension
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Service Brakes
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seat Belts
1Steering
1Structure
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

25 reports with mileage · 6 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
65,600 miles · Nov 15, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 C…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10173592

40,140 miles · Feb 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10108503

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10038594

900 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN A RESTAURANT DRIVE THRU LANE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT.

NHTSA ODI #10031534

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.