Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 14 | 14% |
| Power train | 12 | 12% |
| Suspension | 10 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 9% |
| Air bags | 8 | 8% |
| Steering | 6 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES AHEAD OF HER WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENG
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HEARD A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE HITTING BUMPS, WHEN I STOPPED DRIVING AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE, AND ESPECIALLY BAD WHERE THE REAR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
ALTERNATOR SEND OVERCHARGE TO BATTERY IT MAKE BLOW FUSES AND AFFECTED THE SENSORS AT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DRVING TO MY DAUGTHER HOUSE AROUND 1,5 HRS TO GO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT 00, HAS FRAME ROT, WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION, IT DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL, SO MANY COMPLAINTS, AND SAFE ISSUES
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR A BACK BRAKE INSPECTION. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED WITH RUST AND SOME UNDERBODY FRAMEWORK ROTTED THROUGH. THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED UNREP
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH NONCOMPLIANT BRAKE VACUUM HOSES.
Risk: THESE HOSES COULD BURST CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE R
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 63 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 14 of them (14%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.