Complaints
53
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#15 complaints
Brakes
Avg mileage:149,560 mi
#25 complaints
Hydraulic Brakes
Avg mileage:105,700 mi
Crash-related:1
#33 complaints
Airbags
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5 | — | — | 149,560 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 1 | — | 105,700 mi | |
| Airbags | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 | — | — | — |
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
149,560
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,700
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mitsubishi Montero Years
2003 Mitsubishi Montero — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Mitsubishi Montero has 53 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero?
Top reported problems: Brakes (5 complaints, avg 149,560 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (5 complaints, avg 105,700 mi); Airbags (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 127,630 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero include 6 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Montero reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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