2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Montero Sport model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
25 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (38)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Unknown Or Other 2022-04-07 · TSB-22-54-003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
Equipment 2019-11-26 · TT253 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a service newsletter (tech talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Showing the 6 most recent of 38 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-06-09 · Wheels · 230,000 mi“plug wires seem to have continual manufacturers mistakes, the oil is forced to direct a path to the plugs caused to misfire…”
2017-06-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100 mi“"takata recall" when a oil leek accor in due time it automatically drips directly on one of the spark plugs.also the emissions control system doesn't function a reading electronic diagnostic when finding issue…”
2015-07-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 65,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. while parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. in addition, fuel was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v319000 (fuel system, propulsion system). the manufacturer was notified …”
2015-06-15 · Engine · 170,161 mi“pin in the harmonic balancer broke causing vehicle to sling a/c belt and drive belt causing harmonic balancer to seize up. pin was replaced. months later the check engine light began to come on showing a code of misfire. as well as harmonic balancer coming loose...**5/5/15**..... belts come off on high way doing about 70 mph. harmonic balancer loo…”
2015-02-11 · Air Bags · 240,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. the contact was driving at approximately 45 mph while steering abruptly, the vehicle went off road and flipped over three times landing on its roof. the airbags failed to deploy. the driver sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. a police report was filed. the vehicle was not …”
2014-06-27 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“[xxx] license #[xxx] vin# [xxx] *tr…”
2014-05-01 · Engine · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi montero sport. the contact stated that while driving various speeds, the engine made a knocking sound. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 150,000. …”
2014-03-10 · Electrical System · 110,000 mi“very cold night , sub zero. horn started blowing and continued until fuse burnt out. left strong burnt wiring smell. *tr…”
2013-12-04 · Vehicle Speed Control · 124,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was pulling in a sheets station and going into a parking space when my accelerator pedal stuck to the floor and when i left go the brake pedal vehicle kept moving and crashed into a red post which stopped the vehicle then i noticed the gas pedal coming back up and was able to ,put in reverse and cruise back in same parking space did damage to …”
2012-08-30 · Service Brakes · 117,329 mi“i just picked up my son's vehicle from the service garage where i had just had new brakes and rotors installed for him. i was on the way to meet my husband at the grocery store but needed to drop off some letters at the outdoor mail box at the post office which was < 1/4 mile from the service garage. as i pulled up to the post office drop box, i h…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.