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2001 Mitsubishi Montero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Montero years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

109 reports with mileage · 57 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

166 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2016
Service Brakes

ABS ACCUMULATOR FAILURE AND NOISE

NHTSA ODI #10927796

150,000 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SOUNDED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISABLED TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SOUNDED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISABLED TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10918999

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2016
Structure

THE CAR/SUV STILL RUNS LIKE NEW, IT PASSES INSPECTION ,EVERY TIME ! IT NEVER FAILED INSPECTION. THE BODY ROT AND RUSTED FRAME LEAD TO MY SPARE TIRE FALL OFF THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2001 AND TAUGHT MY KIDS TO DRIVE WITH IT. WHEN I TOOK THE VECHILE TO FIRESTONE THRE MANAGER…

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THE CAR/SUV STILL RUNS LIKE NEW, IT PASSES INSPECTION ,EVERY TIME ! IT NEVER FAILED INSPECTION. THE BODY ROT AND RUSTED FRAME LEAD TO MY SPARE TIRE FALL OFF THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2001 AND TAUGHT MY KIDS TO DRIVE WITH IT. WHEN I TOOK THE VECHILE TO FIRESTONE THRE MANAGER DIDN'T EVEN WANT IT ON THE LIFT STATING HE DIDN'T WANT HIS MEN TO GET HURT IF THE FRAME DECIDED TO BRAKE. HE WOULD NOT WORK ON THE CAR ANYMORE AND TOLD ME TO GET RID OF IT, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND BUT AFTER EYEING FOR MYSELF AND EXPERIENCING THE TIRE DROP OUT OF ITS WELL. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION I GOT THAT AND IT WAS THE SAME RESPONSE. I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A NEW VECHILE AT THE TIME . IT WAS MY SECOND VECHILE I USED ON WEEKENDS DOING CRAFT EVENTS BUT SOMETIMES I WOULD TRAVEL FAR TO NJ, NY, NH , VA.. IT'S WAS TOO THE POINT WHEN THE VENDORS SAW ME COMING TO EVENTS THEY WORRIED ABOUT MY TRAVEL WITH. THE VECHILE. IT HAS SENTIMENTAL VALUE TO MY I LOST MY DAUGHTER IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND KEEPING THE SUV I FEEL LIKE MY MEMORIES OF HER ARE STILL WITH ME POSITIVELY AND FRESH, LASTING, LOVING. AFTER SHE PAST I SAID I WOULD NEVER GET RID OF THE SUV. TODAY THE PLATES ARE OFF ITS STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND STILL RUNNING. I FEEL THE FRAME SHOULD HAVE LASTED A LOT LONGER, IT HAS SOME BODY RUST AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS . IT'S PAID FOR AND RUNNING I NEVER MISSED A BEAT WITH THE OIL CHANGES ETC. I WANT TO KEEP THE CAR, BUT CAN'T NOT AND I AM DEVASTATED TO RID MY SELF OF OUR FAMILY AIR LOOM. I COHAN ONE SIDE WELDED LAST YEAR BUT TO DO THE OTHER SIDE FOR 1K IT MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE IT'S BREAKING DOWN FASTER NOW. THE FIRST FEW YEARS WHEN II HAD THE SUV I HAD A GARAGE BUT LATER YEARS DIDN'T. LIVING IN CT SOME WINTERS CAN BE BRUTAL. THE LOCAL BODY SHOP OFFERS 150.00 WHICH I FEEL INSULTING. I REALLY WANT A RUST FREE FRAME

NHTSA ODI #10864855

170,000 miles · Jan 27, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS LEAK FROM THE FRONT MOUNT AREA OF THE SENDING UNIT ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. SIGNIFICANT LEAK, ODOR OF GAS OVERWHELMING. QUOTED $1200 TO REPAIR. ALL SALVAGED TANKS/KITS IN SIMILAR CONDITION. FIRE HAZARD, AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY AUTO MASTERS TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT LEAKS WHEN IT IS RUNNING DUE TO THE BUILT…

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GAS LEAK FROM THE FRONT MOUNT AREA OF THE SENDING UNIT ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. SIGNIFICANT LEAK, ODOR OF GAS OVERWHELMING. QUOTED $1200 TO REPAIR. ALL SALVAGED TANKS/KITS IN SIMILAR CONDITION. FIRE HAZARD, AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY AUTO MASTERS TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT LEAKS WHEN IT IS RUNNING DUE TO THE BUILT UP PRESSURE. NOW HARD TO START BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE (BEING LOST FROM THE LEAK). ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10822697

50,895 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,895.

NHTSA ODI #10779934

352,478 miles · Sep 3, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HORN SOUNDED LOUDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN FAILED AND THE HORN MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HORN SOUNDED LOUDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN FAILED AND THE HORN MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 352,478. MA 10/15/2015

NHTSA ODI #10761375

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES BECAME HARDER TO DEPRESS AND THE ANTI-BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES BECAME HARDER TO DEPRESS AND THE ANTI-BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10734343

203,730 miles · May 14, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,730.

NHTSA ODI #10716453

170,000 miles · Apr 3, 2015
Service Brakes

THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER, MANUFACTURED BY AISIN, FAILED DUE TO A WORN OUT PUMP MOTOR. THIS IS A BRUSHED MOTOR WITH NO SERVICE INTERVAL SO MUCH AS MENTIONED IN EITHER THE OWNERS MANUAL OR THE FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL. MOREOVER, YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE BRUSHES FOR THE MOTOR FROM THE DEALER OR ANYONE ELSE. HERE IS A PHOTO OF THE…

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THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER, MANUFACTURED BY AISIN, FAILED DUE TO A WORN OUT PUMP MOTOR. THIS IS A BRUSHED MOTOR WITH NO SERVICE INTERVAL SO MUCH AS MENTIONED IN EITHER THE OWNERS MANUAL OR THE FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL. MOREOVER, YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE BRUSHES FOR THE MOTOR FROM THE DEALER OR ANYONE ELSE. HERE IS A PHOTO OF THE MOTOR: HTTP://I.IMGUR.COM/DUI0X0K.JPG AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THIS WAS TAKEN AFTER IT WAS CLEANED WITH COMPRESSED AIR. THE MOTOR WAS FILLED WITH THE REMAINS OF THE BRUSHES AND COMMUTATOR. IT IS EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO POWER A BREAKING SYSTEM WITH SUCH A LOW QUALITY MOTOR AND NOT EVEN GIVE IT A SERVICE INTERVAL. WHEN THIS MOTOR FAILS, SO DO THE BRAKES. EVERY SINGLE GENERATION THREE MONTERO WILL SUFFER FROM THIS FAILURE, SOME CATASTROPHICALLY. AS MORE VEHICLES RELY ON ELECTRIC POWER TO STOP, THIS IS SURELY GOING TO BE AN ISSUE THAT NHTSA WILL BE DEALING WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703551

150,000 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10668976

Official recalls

4

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

04V067000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Feb 11, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy: A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

01V254001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Aug 3, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE COULD 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, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACCUMULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 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.

00V123002 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

May 1, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS LIMITS THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

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.