Mitsubishi Montero Reliability
989 NHTSA complaints (1986–2006). Complaint rate: 3789.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2000–2003 Mitsubishi Montero. The 2006 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Mitsubishi Montero Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 71 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 48 | 2.1% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 47 | 6.4% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 40 | 2.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 37 | 13.5% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 32 | 0.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 30 | 40.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 30 | 0.0% |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 28 | 17.9% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 27 | 3.7% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View 1986View→ |
| 1987GOOD | — | 4 | 1 | — | View 1987View→ |
| 1989GOOD | — | 10 | 2 | — | View 1989View→ |
| 1990 | — | 25 | 2 | 2 | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 22 | 0 | 2 | View 1991View→ |
| 1992GOOD | — | 18 | 2 | — | View 1992View→ |
| 1993GOOD | — | 17 | 0 | — | View 1993View→ |
| 1994 | — | 35 | 3 | — | View 1994View→ |
| 1995AVOID | — | 106 | 8 | — | View 1995View→ |
| 1996 | — | 40 | 0 | — | View 1996View→ |
| 1997AVOID | — | 85 | 7 | 6 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998AVOID | — | 91 | 13 | — | View 1998View→ |
| 1999 | — | 47 | 4 | 3 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000AVOID | — | 68 | 8 | 1 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 213 | 16 | 2 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002AVOID | — | 132 | 11 | 1 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003AVOID | — | 53 | 6 | 1 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004GOOD | — | 7 | 0 | — | View 2004View→ |
| 2006GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | — | View 2006View→ |
See also: Mitsubishi Monteroaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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