VehicleVerdict

2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 80 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Montero Sport year — the 2001 model ranks #2 of 9 Montero Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (17), electrical system (12), and transmission (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

80

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Montero Sport years?

Montero Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted128 complaints1997: 37 complaints1998: 44 complaints1999: 48 complaints2000: 128 complaints2001: 80 complaints2002: 63 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 6 complaints2009: 3 complaints
Montero Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1721%
Electrical System1215%
Transmission810%
Airbags79%
Steering68%
Engine68%
Other45%
Fuel System45%
Lighting45%
Suspension34%
Speed Control23%
Body & Structure23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01V027000BrakesFebruary 5, 2001 · 19,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THESE HOSES COULD BURST CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES THEY GAVE WAA,CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP, AND RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MAIL AND TRIED TO GET RECALL REPAIRS DONE, BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR CONSUMER.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 26, 2002 · crash

“THE HORN ON MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT IS DEFECTIVE. IT CONSTANTLY BLOWS FUSES, AND WHEN I CAN FINALLY FOR SOME REASON GET ONE IN THE FUSE SLOT WITHOUT BLOWING, I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY HORN WILL JUST START GOING OFF AND IT WONT STOP UNTIL I PULL OVER AND TAKE THE FUSE BACK OUT. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 12, 2010

“ON MY WAY TO A FUNERAL, MY TRUCKS TRANSMISSION STALLED ON THE ROAD. WHEN THIS STARTED MY VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER IN RICHMOND, VA. RIGHT NOW MY TRUCK IS STILL AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 2, 2008 · fire

“ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO THE STREET IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD NO TIME TO BRAKE. HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AT 45 MHP WITH ENTIRE FRONT END OF MONTERO SPORT. ENTIRE FRONT END OF MONTERO SPORT SMASHED IN, ENGINE DIED, HAD TO BE TOWED. PASSENGER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL, DRIVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 29, 2001 · crash

“WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS *JG”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 2, 2002

2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport — common questions

Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 80 complaints put the 2001 model at #2 of 9 Montero Sport years. It is one of the Montero Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Montero Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (17 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Montero Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Montero Sport years to avoid are 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among Montero Sport years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.