Mitsubishi Montero Sport Reliability
452 NHTSA complaints (1997–2009). Complaint rate: 4520.0 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 2000–2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The 2009 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 Sport Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 24 | 8.3% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 24 | 100.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 23 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 19 | 5.3% |
| AIR BAGS | 18 | 72.2% |
| STEERING | 18 | 5.6% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 15 | 46.7% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 12 | 0.0% |
| SUSPENSION | 12 | 8.3% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | — | 37 | 2 | 1 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998 | — | 44 | 7 | 1 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999 | — | 48 | 4 | 4 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000AVOID | — | 128 | 26 | 2 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 80 | 9 | 3 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002 | — | 63 | 14 | — | View 2002View→ |
| 2003 | — | 43 | 10 | 2 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004GOOD | — | 6 | 2 | — | View 2004View→ |
| 2009GOOD | — | 3 | 3 | — | View 2009View→ |
See also: Mitsubishi Montero Sportaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
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