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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
100,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK BECAUSE THE HORN QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THE AIRBAG HAS A METAL RING INSIDE OF IT THAT MAKES CONTACT TO ACTIVATE THE HORN WHEN PRESSED. THEY CLAIMED THE RING HAS EITHER DETERIORATED OR BROKEN INTERNALLY AND THAT IS WHY THE HORN DOESN'T WORK AN…

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I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK BECAUSE THE HORN QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THE AIRBAG HAS A METAL RING INSIDE OF IT THAT MAKES CONTACT TO ACTIVATE THE HORN WHEN PRESSED. THEY CLAIMED THE RING HAS EITHER DETERIORATED OR BROKEN INTERNALLY AND THAT IS WHY THE HORN DOESN'T WORK AND IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR YEARS WITH THESE TRUCKS. BASED ON THE CURRENT RECALLS I AM WONDERING IF THAT ALSO EFFECTS THE AIRBAGS AND IF THEY WILL WORK PROPERLY OR IF THERE COULD BE METAL SHARDS IN THERE THAT WHEN DEPLOYED COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649572

158,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE AIR NEEDED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE AIR NEEDED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639258

135,900 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Service Brakes

ON JULY 8, 2014 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, I WOULD HEAR A NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY TRUCK. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS AND I ASKED A FEW FRIENDS TO LOOK AT IT. ONE INDICATED THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE BRAKE ASSIST AND FOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. AFTER THAT I DID SOME RESEARCH O…

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ON JULY 8, 2014 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, I WOULD HEAR A NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY TRUCK. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS AND I ASKED A FEW FRIENDS TO LOOK AT IT. ONE INDICATED THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE BRAKE ASSIST AND FOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. AFTER THAT I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE ITEM AND FOUND THROUGH SAFECAR.GOV THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS APART OF A RECALL FROM 2001 FOR THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED IT TO GO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN FIXED UNDER THE RECALL BACK IN NOV 2001 AND DUE TO THIS THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ITEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT DIRECT WITH MITSUBISHI ([XXX]). THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN SAFETY HAZARD AND THE MITSUBISHI REFUSED TO FIX A PROBLEM THEY KNOW EXISTS. HOW DO I KNOW IF THE PART THEY REPLACED ISN'T ALSO FAULTY. THE RECALL REPORT INDICATED THAT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, IT COULD RESULT IS LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. WHEN I ASKED THE COST TO REPAIR THE ITEM I WAS ADVISED IT WOULD BE $2,000. THIS IS SIMPLY INSANE. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM SO NOW MITSUBISHI RAISES THE PRICES ON THE ITEM SO THEY CAN RECOUP THE COSTS OF THE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627213

137,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

POWER STRING PUMP FAILED. REAR BRAKES LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622065

121,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. WHILE DECELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSFER CASE ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. WHILE DECELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSFER CASE ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #10621483

130,765 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Service Brakes

WAS GOING DOWN A HILL WHEN I COULDN'T PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE IT WAS TOO STIFF! THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURN AND WITH A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS A HILL GOING BACK UP SO I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT AND PULL IT OFF THE ROAD FINE. GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT OTHER POINTS OF MY TRIP! MY BRAKE BOOSTER HAS GONE BAD AND…

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WAS GOING DOWN A HILL WHEN I COULDN'T PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE IT WAS TOO STIFF! THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURN AND WITH A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS A HILL GOING BACK UP SO I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT AND PULL IT OFF THE ROAD FINE. GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT OTHER POINTS OF MY TRIP! MY BRAKE BOOSTER HAS GONE BAD AND MITSUBISHI SAYS IT'S NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND IT'S NEVER PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606033

151,231 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

RANDOMLY THE FACTORY ALARM GOES OFF THROUGHOUT THE DAY WITH THE HORN BLARING. AFTER A WHILE, THE ALARM DRAINS THE BATTERY, EVEN IF IT RESETS. FUSES HAVE BEEN CHANGED, RELAYS, AND A RESET BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY- TO NO AVAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599178

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2014
Air Bags

THE HORN STAYS ON. HAD TO UNPLUG IT. IT IS PART OF THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592625

80,000 miles · May 16, 2014
Electrical System

THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTS BLARING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IF YOU DO NOT REMOVE THE FUSE. IF YOU REMOVE THE FUSE IT LEAVES YOU WITH NO HORN! COMPLETELY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING NOT TO HAVE A HORN. CLEARLY THIS DEFECT WAS NEVER CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER LOOKING FOR A CAUSE IN MANY FORUMS, IT IS CLEAR NO ONE IS CERTAIN OF T…

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THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTS BLARING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IF YOU DO NOT REMOVE THE FUSE. IF YOU REMOVE THE FUSE IT LEAVES YOU WITH NO HORN! COMPLETELY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING NOT TO HAVE A HORN. CLEARLY THIS DEFECT WAS NEVER CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER LOOKING FOR A CAUSE IN MANY FORUMS, IT IS CLEAR NO ONE IS CERTAIN OF THE ACTUAL CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588881

160,000 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Service Brakes

RECALL ON ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS PERFORMED YEARS AGO. BRAKES ONCE AGAIN FAILED ALMOST COMPLETELY WITH WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN. LUCKILY SHE REMEMBERED THE PARKING BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. NEW ACCUMULATOR REPLACED AND BRAKES WERE AGAIN FINE FOR 3 DAYS...COMPLETE FAILURE AGAIN. DEALER INFORMS US THAT THE ENTIRE ABS ASSEMBLY NEEDS R…

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RECALL ON ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS PERFORMED YEARS AGO. BRAKES ONCE AGAIN FAILED ALMOST COMPLETELY WITH WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN. LUCKILY SHE REMEMBERED THE PARKING BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. NEW ACCUMULATOR REPLACED AND BRAKES WERE AGAIN FINE FOR 3 DAYS...COMPLETE FAILURE AGAIN. DEALER INFORMS US THAT THE ENTIRE ABS ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST AND LABOR OF AROUND (BETWEEN) $2800. AND $3600.00. THE RECALLED PART (THE ACCUMULATOR) I AM FINDING IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE ENTIRE ABS ASSEMBLY DAMAGE. IF THE PUMP TRIES AND CONTINUES TO TRY AND FILL THE LEAKING ACCUMULATOR THE PUMP FAILS. AS A RESULT THE PUMP AND ABS CONTROL (BRAIN) MODULE ARE ALL IN ONE AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE? HOW CAN WE GET MITSUBISHI TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE "COMPLETE ASSEMBLY" THE VEHICLE IS NOW USELESS AS WE SAVE OUR PENNIES AND SCRAPE TOGETHER WHAT WE CAN TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WE NOR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO FIX. I SEE MANY REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS VERY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555935

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.