Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 11 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 7% |
| Air bags | 5 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 5% |
| Visibility | 4 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN A OIL LEEK ACCOR IN DUE TIME IT AUTOMATICALLY DRIPS DIRECTLY ON ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS.ALSO THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM DOESN'T FUNCTION A READING ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC WHEN FINDING ISSUE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* 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 REPAI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
PIN IN THE HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLING A/C BELT AND DRIVE BELT CAUSING HARMONIC BALANCER TO SEIZE UP. PIN WAS REPLACED. MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON SHOWING A CODE OF MISFIRE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER TO CHECK THE TIRE PRE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
A SIREN SOUND CAME ON. MY HUSBAND PROCEEDED TO GET OF THE ROAD. IN HIS ATTEMPT, THE BRAKES BECAME VERY HARD TO PRESS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL AS THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. HE THE PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES T
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHILE STEERING ABRUPTLY, THE VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES LANDING ON ITS ROOF. THE AIRBAGS FAILED
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| 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 83 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 11 of them (13%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 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 72/100. 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.