Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, and it carries no recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 10 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 15% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 10% |
| Structure | 5 | 8% |
| Power train | 4 | 7% |
| Visibility | 3 | 5% |
| Tires | 3 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I checked and there's several recalls on the vehicle and I purchase it last year from the dealership and I never received anything about the recalls and now my vehicle doesn't want to start it lock me out.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I have a 2002 Mitsibishi Montero Sport.I was driving home from work, and all the sudden i couldn't steer. I had no steering, Lost power to vehicle and battery light came on. Wasnt sure what happened, looked under the hoo
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE HOOD FLEW UP WHEN SAFETY LATCH FAILED TO HOLD IT,, PLUS BRAKE LINE TROUBLES AS WELL AS GAS TANK FILL PIPE ALL RUSTED OUT,, HOOD WAS ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 30MPH AN WRAPPED ARROUND WINDSHIELD,,
NHTSA complaint: Structure
MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITRGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE RESULTED IN AN ABNORM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED STARTED MAKING A STRANGE NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
BOTH HEAD LIGHT BEAMS SOMETIMES DISAPPEAR WHEN SWITCHING TO HIGH BEAM WHILE DRIVING LEAVING YOU DRIVING IN THE DARK WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT AT A CERTAIN ANGLE, THE HORN OF THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE ROT/RUST. WAS TOLD BY ONE SHOP ABOUT IN 2013 THAT I HAD ALOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME WHEN THEY REPLACED MY RUSTED BRAKE LINES.. THIS WEEK IN OCTOBER 2014 I HAD TO REPLACE A RUSTY FILL PIPE FOR MY GAS
NHTSA complaint: Structure
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | 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 61 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 10 of them (16%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. 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.