KnownCarProblemsHome › Mitsubishi › Montero › 2003
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero, most often about the brakes (28% of complaints, typically around 124,500 miles). It is 4th of 7 Montero model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Mitsubishi Montero problems
Brakes
11 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 124,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
I have a 2003 Montero limited and suddenly my brakes failed and the car had a high piercing noise. I had the car towed to a near by Mitsubishi dealer in marlow heights maryland only to be told that if it was the accumulator they would fixed it at no charge. However, after their review it they said it was the hydraulic…
The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brakes failed. The contact mentioned that the ABS, emergency brake, and traction control warning lamps illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the electric motor in the…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Hesitation and stalling between 0-45 MPH at slightly above 3/4 full tank of gas. Vehicle leaks substantial quantity of fuel when parked on incline at slightly above 3/4 tank of gas. In addition, this vehicle was not filling properly at the gas pump (pump continually shut off as if tank were full even though it was…
The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel and a container had to be used to keep the fuel from leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel was seeping through the fuel tank. The dealer advised that the fuel vac…
Transmission
6 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
Loud humming noise from the drivers side rear end. Excessive wear on rear drivers side tire. Got louder the higher the MPH went. Had mechanic inspect and found the arm from the wheel to the differential was separated and about to come apart. Mistubishi dealer repaired and charged 2100.00 to fix.
While driving and coming to complete stop automatic transmission doesn't shift properly from the first to the second gear. Dealer inspected vehicle several times, but did not resolve the problem.
Electrical
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
An electrical system failure was causing all electrical operated components to malfunction or inoperative. For example, automatic door locks/interior lights/radio and etc. The cause of the failure had not been determined although vehicle had been serviced several times for this problem.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that the temperature gauge needle would fluctuate from warm to hot when the vehicle was started. A local repair shop and the dealer were both able to duplicate the failure, but could not determine the cause. The current mileage is 59,082 and failure mileage…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
While driving 65 MPH the passenger side rear tire tread separated from the side wall. The cause of the problem has not been determined. When the tire was taken to firestone they determined that the tire had a flat but the consumer stated it was not a flat tire because it exploded.
Dt: husband had a vehicle wreck, the car would not stop on snow. Contact felt tires were not right for climate. Had tires rotated and pressure checked regularly. Was told by manufacturer that the psi should be 35, but the door sticker indicated 29 psi. Tires did not work well in snow. Also, drivers side seat belt did…
Suspension
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: rear.
Recent incident of right back wheel displaying excessive noise and impairing driving, as well as repeated incidents of brake wear, malfunction and excessive brake noises. Repeated replacement of rear right rotor. Driver was in fear for her safety.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. While the contact's daughter was accelerating from a stop sign, she heard a popping sound. She had to maneuver the vehicle onto the side of the road. The front driver's side wheel was twisted. The vehicle has not been inspected. The current and failure mileages were 85,000.…
Engine
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The vehicle stalled while slowing down for a stop light. Although the vehicle is in drive it sometimes rolls backwards as if it is in neutral.
I was driving my 2003 Mitsubishi to work on february 5,2007, at 6:30 a.m. When, all at once I heard a groaning noise and the oil pressure light came on and the "engine failure" light also came on. The steering wheel became stiffened and just luckily I was close enough to an auto repair station/wrecker service to coast…
Air bags
3 complaints · 8%: the contact stated while driving 55mph a deer was struck with the front end of the vehicle. While applying brake pressure the vehicle began to gain speed, spun around, veered off the road and rolled over four times in a ditch. The air bags did not deploy in the accident. The air bag warning light was not illuminated…
I was operating a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero when I rear ended a mercury mountaineer and projected it into 2 other vehicles...... Heavy damage to the front end of my Montero, however, my driver side air bag did not go off. I was projected into the steering column and then my head went through the windshield.
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 recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
Fuel system: storage
Risk: If the fuel leveling valve does not seal properly, fuel may leak onto the ground. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the leveling valve. The recall began on august 30, 2004. Owners should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 or mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, when the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is parked facing forward on an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve may not maintain proper sealing in the event the fuel expands from a rise in the ambient temperature.
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
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (11 complaints, typically around 124,500 miles); fuel system (6 complaints); transmission (6 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 1, 2004 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Montero?
- It is 4th of 7 Montero model years by number of complaints, with 39 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.