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2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, most often about the engine (29% of complaints, typically around 91,500 miles). It is 4th of 6 Montero Sport model years by number of complaints.

Complaints31
Recalls0
Crashes reported6
Fires reported2
Injuries reported41 death reported

Most common 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems

  1. Engine

    9 complaints · 29%

    Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.

    Head gasket failures on 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.5 l v6 engine. 1. No preceding event, car started idling rough when first started. Idle smoothes after a short time. 2. Right side head gasket started leaking coolant into cyl #2 at 30k miles, replaced under warranty. Left side head gasket started leaking coolant…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 65,600 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 117,329 miles

  2. Transmission

    5 complaints · 16%

    Parts named most often: automatic transmission.

    2nd timeinto daeler for transmission problems. Will have problems shifting then the check engine light comes on. First time dealer unsure of the cause or how to fix had vehicle in shop almost 2 weeks. 2nd time, dealer has had vehicle over 2 weeks and still not fixed ,said could be 1 of 3 things. They have replaced 2…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 16,559 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. While driving over 30 MPH, the vehicle would jerk backwards and hesitate. Whether the vehicle was idling or in park, the contact smelled a strong odor of burning oil. The dealer stated that the failure may be minor and could not assist because the vehicle was not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 96,000 miles

  3. Electrical

    5 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn.

    The 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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 40,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The contact stated that the horn worked sporadically. In addition, the horn would continue to sound unless the fuse was disconnected. The contact replaced the fuse; however, the failure continued to occur. As of january 3, 2008, the dealer or manufacturer had not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 66,280 miles

  4. Air bags

    5 complaints · 16%

    Parts named most often: frontal.

    : 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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 139,000 miles
    I rear-ended an SUV going about 30-35 MPH and my airbags failed to deploy and my seatbelt failed to catch, throwing my upper body forward into the steering wheel. The police at the scene of the accident said they could not believe my airbags did not deploy with the amount of damage to the front end of my vehicle.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 93,000 miles

  5. Brakes

    4 complaints · 13%

    Parts named most often: foundation components.

    Brake rotors and pads replaced every 3,000-4,000 miles. Dealer claimed it was driver's abuse that caused premature wear of brake rotors/pads. Consumer was furious. Currently, after 4,000 miles. Brakes were shot.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 3,000 miles
    By 20,000 miles the truck's front brake rotors were so out of round that the truck is very difficult to control durring braking. The dealer reports that the braking system, and more importantly the brake pads are not covered under the new car warrenty. This is rediculous. I have never needed to have a truck's braking…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 20,000 miles

  6. Fuel system

    4 complaints · 13%

    Parts named most often: fuel injection system.

    The owner smelled gasoline fuel when operating vehicle and starting it one last time, the engine compartment burst into flames. This loss was investigated by superior investigations [phone]. The fuel rail pressure valve was loose, and caused fuel to leak and start a fire.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 36,000 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 65,000 miles

  7. Speed control

    3 complaints · 10%

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 124,000 miles

  8. Suspension

    3 complaints · 10%

    Parts named most often: rear.

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (9 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles); transmission (5 complaints); electrical (5 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2003 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
It is 4th of 6 Montero Sport model years by number of complaints, with 31 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Mitsubishi Montero Sport years

Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems by year