2004 Mitsubishi MONTERO SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
2006: 1; 2009: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10275983 · 2009-07-07 (July 7, 2009)
2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. IT WENT OFF AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON. THE 4H LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS SENT TO A MECHANIC WHO REMOVED ALL THE ELECTRIC CONNECTORS AND PRONOUNCED THE CAR FIXED. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I WAS SENT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION 2 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146999 · 2006-01-05 (January 5, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO LATCH AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOVEMENT TO THE HAND. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE DETERMINED …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146999 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 413.8%ODI 10083048 · 125,200 mi1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT RECALL SERVICE. 18 MONTHS LATER, THE BOLT BACKED OUT, CAUSING APPROX. $1000 IN DAMAGES, REPAIRED AT PRIVATE MECHANIC'S GARAGE. HAPPENED AGAIN 1 MONTH LATER; SAME GARAGE REPAIRED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. HAPPENED AGAIN 1 MONTH LATER; PRIVATE GARAGE REFUSED TO REPAIR AGAIN. TOOK IT TO MANUFACTURER DEALERSHIP; PAID ANOTHER APPROX. $1100 FOR REPAIRS. HAPPENED AGAIN 2 MONTHS LATER; DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO WARRANTY REPAIR; ESTIMATES ANOTHER $2800 TO REPLACE ENTIRE CRANKS… | 720.0%ODI 10148601 · 210,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO MOVE AND THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PULLEY WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE CONCERNING THE BOLTS IN THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE, NHTSA # 00V311001. THE VIN IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BUT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT APPROVE THE RECALL PERFORMANCE BECAUSE THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. | 39.1%ODI 10134687 · 143,000 miVEHICLE LOST USE OF POWER STEERING DURING A 90 DEGREE TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF IT. I PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO PARKING LOT OF NEARBY CONVENIENCE STORE AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. I NOTICED THAT THE V-BELT TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND OTHER COMPONENTS WAS TURNING RATHER SLUGGISHLY AND COULD HEAR A SQUEAKING/CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER SWITCHING OFF THE A/C, I OBSERVED THAT THE V-BELT BEGAN TO TURN MORE FREELY BUT STILL SOMEWHAT SLOWER THAN NORMAL. I THEN DROVE THE V… | 22.1%ODI 10003422 · 60,058 mi2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE ENGINE FAILED AT 60,058 MILES. LEITH MITSUBISHI SAID I DID NOT CHANGE THE OIL AND SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60K MILES THAT THEY WANTED $5000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I HAVE 5 DOCUMENTED OIL CHANGES, AND PERFORMED SEVERAL OTHER BUT THE OIL CHNAGES PLACES DID NOT HAVE RECORDS ON COMPUTER. | 34.8%ODI 10104916 · 98,140 miI HAVE A MISTUSBISHI MONTERO SPORT XLS 2001 3.0. NOW I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2YRS I KEPT UP WITH THE OIL CHANGES AND ALL OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VEHICLE. NOW THE MOTOR HAD A TAP TO IT. ASK THE HEAD OF THE SHOP IN THE FLORENCE SC AREA AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL USED MONTEROS TAP. SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. NOW AFTER CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR THE TAP GOT LOUDER AND THE OIL CHANGES STILL REMAIN AS RECOMMENDED. WITHOUT ANY REASON OR WARNING THE MOTOR STARTED TO KNOCK LOUDER, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND FOUND O… | 23.7%ODI 10020126WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED. *NLM | 39.7%ODI 10031534 · 900 miVEHICLE WAS IDLING IN A RESTAURANT DRIVE THRU LANE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13.4%ODI 724955AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON FRONT IMPACT OF APPROX. 30 MPH SUSTAINING $10K IN DAMAGE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.0%ODI 878281CONSUMER DROVE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND SUDDENLY SLID ON ICE HITTING A VEHICLE WITH FRONT END,AND CAUSING ABOUT $4100 WORTH OF DAMAGE. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. *AK | 55.2%ODI 10038127CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT NON DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 35 MPH AND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. ALSO, DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF VEHICLE HAD NOT MADE A SADDLING STOP, WHICH CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THERE WERE TWO.*AK | 57.9%ODI 10026937 · 50,000 miWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.*AK | 814.8%ODI 10000656 · 9,500 miI OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO, IT HAS BEEN IN 2 SEVERE HEAD ON IMPACTS, ONE AT OVER 35MPH.....NEITHER TIME HAS THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI, THEY MAINTAIN THE AIRBAGS HAVE WORKED PROPERLY, HOW THEY DETERMINE THIS, I DO NOT KNOW. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. | 26.5%ODI 10151866 · 139,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON ROUGH SLIPPERY ROADS THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD. AFTER PULLING BACK ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED FISH TAILING AND WENT OVER A TWENTY FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE UPROOTED A TREE. DURING THIS TIME THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MODERATE HEAD INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE DRIVER. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, BUT HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THE REASON FOR THE AIRBAG FAILURE. | 120.0%ODI 10146999 · 15,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO LATCH AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOVEMENT TO THE HAND. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE DETERMINED … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 39.1% | 88.2%ODI 10044698 · 73,000 miWHILE DRIVING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUAL STATED TO PULL OVER AND WAIT UNTIL THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE LIGHT GOES OFF AND TO PROCEED DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STARTED DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AGAIN. *JB THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE AND THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION WHO DIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION AS BEING DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON COMPLETION OF THE TR… | 57.9%ODI 10088197IN DECEMBER 2002 I PURCHASED MY CAR (2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT XLS 4X4) FROM A LOCAL PRIVATE SELLER. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 38,000 AT THE TIME AND WAS STILL UNDER THE 60,000 MILE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. THE SELLER INSISTED HE DID NOT HAVE THE RECORDS OF THE REPAIRS, BUT DID GIVE ME A SPREADSHEET OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR CHECKED BY MY REGULAR MECHANIC I BOUGHT THE CAR DESPITE THE LACK OF RECORDS SINCE IT HAD LOW MILEAGE AND WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN DROVE THE CAR AND PERFORMED THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. IN D… | 11.9%ODI 10089597 · 15,000 miWHILE DRIVING WITH VEHICLE IS AT FULL CAPACITY IT SHUTTERS. TRANSMISSION VIBRATES, AND THEN TAKE OFF, IS VERY SLUGGISH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK | 516.1%ODI 10014081 · 25 miVEHICLE WON'T ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE (ACTS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL). ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD (UNDER 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE). SOMETIMES WILL SLAM INTO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS IN OUR OPINION. VEHICLE HAS 146 MILES. DEALER HAD VEHICLE TWICE FOR 2 DAYS EACH AND SAY THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *JB | 120.0%ODI 10275983 · 67,000 mi2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. IT WENT OFF AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON. THE 4H LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS SENT TO A MECHANIC WHO REMOVED ALL THE ELECTRIC CONNECTORS AND PRONOUNCED THE CAR FIXED. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I WAS SENT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION 2 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 413.8%ODI 10140768 · 92,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE ON 10-24-05. SHE HAD RECALL 00V311000 REPAIR WORK DONE IN OCTOBER -2002. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE SHE WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRANK SHAFT. SHE FELT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME. SHE SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND TO MITSUBISHI. MITSUBISHI TOLD HER TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE COVERED. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND HE TOLD HER THAT AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLT, AS STATED IN THE RECALL. SHE THOUG… | 514.3%ODI 10016351 · 84,000 miMAKE: MITSUBISHI MODEL: MONTERO SPORT XLS YEAR: 1998 SUV WAS TOTAL LOSS DUE TO OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER. *N LM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 55.2%ODI 10083001 · 52,100 miMY COMPLAINT CONCERNS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #TSB-00-23-008, ISSUED NOVEMBER 2000. IN THE BULLETIN, MITSUBISHI MOTORS ADDRESSES THE NEED TO REPLACE THE A/T OIL PAN DUE TO OVERHEATING THAT IS CAUSED BY THE SHALLOWNESS OF THE PAN. JUST PRIOR TO THIS BULLETIN, IN OCTOBER 2000, PRODUCTION VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH A LARGER OIL DRAINAGE PAN TO ELIMINATE OVERHEATING CAUSE BY THE PRIOR PAN. AFTER HAVING MY 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT GIVEN THE 60,000 MILE SERVICING IN JUNE 2004, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF TOWN AND NOTICED (FOR THE FIRST TIME EV… | 23.2%ODI 10001103WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS *JG | 23.7%ODI 10139995HARD KNOCKING NOISE AND OIL LAMP ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED. CHECKED OIL, DIP STICK SHOWED NO OIL IN ENGINE. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED AN OIL PUMP PRESSURE TEST, DIAGNOSED WITH NO OIL PRESSURE RECOMMENDED TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS PROBLEM DUE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES, HAVE DOCUMENTS PROVING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AS RECOMMENDED. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH $4000 WORTH OF WORK NEEDED TO REPAIR SLUDGE IN ENGINE THAT IS THE RESULT OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN FAULTY MAINTENANCE. ONLY SOLUTION FROM … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10640621 · 146,000 miHEAT GAUGE IS FAULTY AND IT WILL BLOW HOT HEAT ONLY OUT OF DRIVER SIDE VENTS AND BLOWS COLD OUT OF THE REST OF THE VENTS. HEAT GAUGE SAYS ITS RUNNING FINE BUT IT IS REALLY OVERHEATING TO THE BOILING POINT. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS I JUST BOUGHT IT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE HAD NO USE FOR THE HEAT TILL NOW AND NEVER DROVE IT FAR ENOUGH TILL TODAY WHEN I NOTICED THE HEAT GAUGE AND HEARD IT BOILING OVER WITH STEAM COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 411.4%ODI 10016351 · 84,000 miMAKE: MITSUBISHI MODEL: MONTERO SPORT XLS YEAR: 1998 SUV WAS TOTAL LOSS DUE TO OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER. *N LM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 55.2%ODI 10065157CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH AND EXPERIENCED A FUNNY LITTLE CHANGE IN PAVEMENT. THE ROADS WERE BAD, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS FALLING. CONSUMER GRIPPED THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY, THEN LOST SOME CONTROL, AND END UP HITTING A WALL HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. *AK | 23.2%ODI 10139587 · 77,000 miDT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. ON 10-11-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THERE WAS A WRECK IN FRONT OF CONSUMERS VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON EARLIER THAT DAY. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK (11/15/05) *SC | 35.6%ODI 10176137 · 100,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED TO THE BACK AND NECK. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. | 39.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10428455AT ABOUT 6PM ON DECEMBER 16, 2010 MY DAD WAS PARALLEL PARKING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE, WHEN HIS NOVEMBER 2009 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT (4X2 AUTOMATIC WHICH JUST HAD ITS 5000 KM SERVICE) SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITH VERY HIGH ENGINE REVOLUTION (VERY LOUD) AND COLLIDED WITH A MERCEDES BENZ E230 PARKED JUST 6 METERS AWAY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (THE IMPACT WAS SO STRONG THAT THE E230 MOVED ABOUT 3 METERS AS EVIDENCED BY THE TIRE SKID MARKS)! THIS HAPPENED EVEN WHEN MY DAD WAS STEPPING HARD ON THE BRAKES! AFTER COLLIDING W… |
| Electrical System | 13.4%ODI 10246235 · 116,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE SO IT COULD WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE. WHILE IN THE HOUSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD BOOM SIMILAR TO AN EXPLOSION. SHE FOUND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE SALVAGE YARD. THE SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE SUSTAINED PROPERTY DAMAGE. IN JULY OF 2008, THE CONTAC… | 12.9%ODI 10409788 · 307,000 miWHILE TRAVELING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, I-78, AND OTHER HIGHWAYS, THE MITSUBISHI ALTERNATOR INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER ELECTRICALLY CONTROL FUNCTIONS. WHAT MAKES THIS NOTABLY IS THAT IT WAS THE 5TH ALTERNATOR THAT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1-1/2 YEARS. EACH TIME WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL AND OPERATION, OCCURRED WITH NARROW ESCAPES FROM SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WHILE NAVIGATING TO SAFETY. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 22.1%ODI 10286669 · 61,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHEN RETRIEVING HIS VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP; HE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHEN REMOVING THE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE AND REPLACING IT THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM RESET WHICH CAUSED IMPROPER IDLE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO BE DUPLICATED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO DAYS IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO VIEW THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE VEHICLE, NO ASSISTANCE C… | 711.1%ODI 10043642 · 52,800 miTHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN 89$ CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. LATER THAT DAY I WAS CALLED TO BE TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOW COST ME 192$ BECAUSE THEY HAD TO DOWNLOAD INFORMATION TO THE COMPUTOR. THIS DEFINATLY SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THEY ARE CHARGING THERE CUSTOMERS TO FIX IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MITSUBISHI AGAIN. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP HOW I FELT BUT THEY COULD CARE LESS SO BE IT BUT I WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW HOW I WAS TREATED AND LET THEM MAKE … | 47.4%ODI 10421099 · 82,000 mi2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE HORN SOUNDS FOR NO REASON, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 55DEGREES. I MUST REMOVE THE FUSE TO SILENCE IT. IT IS STATE REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT. I CONTACTED THE LANCASTER, PA MITSUBISHI DEALER BUT THEY WON'T REPLY. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN THE WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 18 DEGREES. IT IS 8 MONTHS LATER AND A COLD AUGUST NIGHT TRIGGERED IT. *TR | 39.7%ODI 10051992 · 40,000 miTHE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE BULBS WERE GOOD THEREFORE IT'S PROBABLE THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A RELAY DEFECT. THE HORN WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE HORN WOULD BLOW BUT WOULDN'T STOP. THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE FUSE IN ORDER TO GET THE HORN TO STOP BLOWING. PROVIDE FURTHER ANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 26.9%ODI 10283733 · 170,000 miSTEERING TERMINAL CAME OFF MAKING THE VEHICLE GO IN DANGER. *TR | 12.9%ODI 10016351 · 84,000 miMAKE: MITSUBISHI MODEL: MONTERO SPORT XLS YEAR: 1998 SUV WAS TOTAL LOSS DUE TO OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER. *N LM | 13.0%ODI 10914810 · 150,000 miMY CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN 3 TIMES THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE, THEN FOUND OUT IT HAD AN OPEN RECALL FROM 2000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY, FELT THEY DISMISSED MY SITUATION AS I TOLD THEM THE CAR WAS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL DESCRIBED AND I WAS CONCERNED IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I EXPLAINED IN DETAIL ABOUT THE 1ST TWO REPAIRS. MY CAR BROKE DOWN YESTERDAY, AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER, AND WAS ONCE AGAIN UNDRIVEABLE. IT IS RELATED TO THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. I SENT THE DEALER A VERY DETAILED EMAIL ABOUT THIS FINAL … | 66.2%ODI 10293200 · 156,000 mi2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT THE PITMAN ARM TIE ROD BOLT SNAP WHILE BACKING UP IN THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS NOT LOOSE WHATSOEVER NO SYMPTOMS IT JUST SNAP.IT WAS THE ORIGINAL OEM PART FROM THE FACTORY. IF IT WAS BROKEN AT THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF AND OTHERS AND WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE THE PART SAVE HERE IF YOU WISH TO INVESTIGATE . *TR THANKS | 69.5%ODI 10050667 · 32,000 mi2001 MONTER SPORT XLS 2WD 46,000 MILES. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND IS ALSO RATTLING. CAUSES EXTRA EFFORT IN STABILIZING VEHICLE IN A SINGLE DIRECTION. WAS TAKEN TO TWO SAN ANTONIO BASED DEALERS GILLMAN MITSUBISHI SAN ANTONIO AND NORTHPOINT MITSUBISHI. NORTHPOINT MITSUBISHI DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH MITSUBISHI PROVIDES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHICH INCLUDES SUSPENSION, DRIVETRAIN TO 60,000 MILES MITSUBISHI CORP DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE STATING THAT IT IS NO… | 11.9%ODI 10006637 · 9,500 miAT 25 MPH SOMETHING BROKE AND THE VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN LEFT TURN. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770767 | 13.2%ODI 10054733 · 3 miVEHICLE SWAYS, WONDERS ON THE ROAD AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE. ALSO, IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS LOOSE UNDER THE FRONT END. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE FEELS EXACTLY THAT WHICH I AM DESCRIBING BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE DRIVEN AND THAT THEY TOO DID THE SAME THING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS OBSTACLE TO HAVE CONTROL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. *LA | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 13.4%ODI 10215166 · 149,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL #00V311001 AFFECTING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. AFTER SIX MONTHS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE ENGINE, OIL, AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO BEGAN TO TIGHTEN UP. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER THE R… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 39.1%ODI 880107WHEN APPLYING BRAKES EXTREME VIBRATIONS OCCURS AS VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN. THEN,VIBRATIONS DIMINISHES, CAUSE UNKNOWN.DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY CAUSE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK | 55.2%ODI 750217AS I BEGAN TO FEEL FAINT WHILE DRIVING A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY, I STARTED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I REMEMBER PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW I HAD HIT A TREE. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DID NOT FULLY INFLATE ON THE DRIVER SIDE POSITION. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. MY ARM HAD LACERATIONS AND CUTS AND THE WIND SHIELD WAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. NEITHER THE AIRBAG NOR THE SEATBELT KEPT ME FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. *AK | 46.3%ODI 10139587 · 77,000 miDT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. ON 10-11-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THERE WAS A WRECK IN FRONT OF CONSUMERS VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON EARLIER THAT DAY. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK (11/15/05) *SC | 11.9%ODI 8009825WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING SOUND. VEHICLE VEERED TO LEFT, AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION. DEALER REFUSED TO EXAMINE VEHICLE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | Too few reports for a range | 160,000 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10785189 · 200,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT DETECTED THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. AFTER FULLY REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL AT APPROXIMATELTY FOUR DROPS PER SECOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL WHEN PARKED ON INCLINES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. ODI 10794826 · 120,000 miFILL SUV WITH GAS AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT UNDER THE SUV. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | Too few reports for a range | 15,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10146999 · 15,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO LATCH AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOVEMENT TO THE HAND. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE DETERMINED … |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 146,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10640621 · 146,000 miHEAT GAUGE IS FAULTY AND IT WILL BLOW HOT HEAT ONLY OUT OF DRIVER SIDE VENTS AND BLOWS COLD OUT OF THE REST OF THE VENTS. HEAT GAUGE SAYS ITS RUNNING FINE BUT IT IS REALLY OVERHEATING TO THE BOILING POINT. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS I JUST BOUGHT IT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE HAD NO USE FOR THE HEAT TILL NOW AND NEVER DROVE IT FAR ENOUGH TILL TODAY WHEN I NOTICED THE HEAT GAUGE AND HEARD IT BOILING OVER WITH STEAM COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. *TR |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 67,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10275983 · 67,000 mi2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. IT WENT OFF AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON. THE 4H LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS SENT TO A MECHANIC WHO REMOVED ALL THE ELECTRIC CONNECTORS AND PRONOUNCED THE CAR FIXED. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I WAS SENT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION 2 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN… |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | Too few reports for a range | 15,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10146999 · 15,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO LATCH AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOVEMENT TO THE HAND. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE DETERMINED … |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2004: 1 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Fuel/Propulsion System | Air Bags:Frontal | Engine And Engine Cooling | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10146999 · 15,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO LATCH AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOVEMENT TO THE HAND. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE DETERMINED … |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0 | 1ODI 10146999 · 15,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO LATCH AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOVEMENT TO THE HAND. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S KNEE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE POLICE DETERMINED … | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.