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 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 66 | 27% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 7% |
| Air bags | 16 | 7% |
| Power train | 15 | 6% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
| Suspension | 8 | 3% |
| Visibility | 7 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
On multiple occasions, the horn itself will start blowing without command. After pressing the horn to alert another driver, the horn will then stick again. There are repairs where 3m tape is applied to the horn switch
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
4 wh drive light flashes no apparent reason no issues makes the anti lock light come on and also the abs light worried cause a prob wit the brakes or something
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal felt sticky. Additionally, the contact stated that upon depressing the brake
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Reporting - safety recall as stated on NY state fail inspection. Emissions issues Émission results- MIL commanded “fail” Code P0136-O2 Sensor Code PO455 -Evaporative emission system leak
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
After googling and doing a little reaching I found out it is a very common problem amongst these vehicles that the horn starts blaring in the early morning hours non stop until unplugging the fuse or battery. I have to r
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Brake lines completely rusted through and I lost all brakes while heading to work, thankfully I was able to pull the emergency brake to slow down and I coasted through a red light blowing my horn so I was not hit. I boug
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ALSO WHILE AT A STAND STILL, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICL
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IS LEAKING SO IT MAKES A 'CHIRPING' SOUND FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A RECOGNIZED FAULT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED I DID NOT GET NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL SO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 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 | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 63 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 66 of them (27%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) 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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 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.