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2003 Mitsubishi MonteroProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 39 owner complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2003 Mitsubishi Montero
62
CarFlaw IndexSolid year38% below the Montero median · #8 of 15 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints397 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage100kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 29, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero has problems

39 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic71
Power train60
Service brakes50
Fuel system, gasoline41
Electrical system40
Air bags32
Engine and engine cooling30
Suspension30
Seat belts21
12 other systems162

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2003 Mitsubishi Montero recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Recall 04V-319 · Jul 6, 2004 · 44,214 vehicles

Risk. IF THE FUEL LEVELING VALVE DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY, FUEL MAY LEAK ONTO THE GROUND.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Montero year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Montero median. How we score

'84'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Montero owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…
Complaint 10649213 · Oct 22, 2014 · 93,000 miles
MY HYDRAULIC BRAKE STOP WORKING I HAVE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE REPAIR IS 2500 MY CAR IS A 2003 WITH 90000 MILE. *TR
Complaint 10525110 · Jul 16, 2013
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND WAS APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. THERE WAS A LIGHT BLINKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AN ALARM WENT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED IN…
Complaint 10382546 · Feb 14, 2011 · 190,000 miles

Own a 2003 Montero?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.