NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
31 reports96,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Power TrainFire
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 UN…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10251065
93,000 miles · Aug 23, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10239451
66,280 miles · Jan 3, 2008
Electrical System
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10213570
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
139,000 miles · Mar 6, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10151866
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2005
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. THERE WAS ALSO A THUMPING NOISE…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10121591
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 · Oct 12, 2004
SuspensionVehicle 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
NHTSA ODI #10091732
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2004
Suspension
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
NHTSA ODI #10094785
20,000 miles · Aug 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 S…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10088670
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