Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
6
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 2 | 33% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 1 | 17% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 1 | 17% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 17% | — flat |
| Transmission | 1 | 17% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHTS AS STATED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL ARE IN ERROR.
Consequence
THIS INFORMATION COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN CONSUMERS LOADING THEIR VEHICLES BEYOND THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR).
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE SENT REPLACEMENT LABELS WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT DETECTED THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. AFTER FULLY REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL AT APPROXIMATELTY FOUR DROPS PER SECOND. THE CONTACT ALSO…”
“HEAT GAUGE IS FAULTY AND IT WILL BLOW HOT HEAT ONLY OUT OF DRIVER SIDE VENTS AND BLOWS COLD OUT OF THE REST OF THE VENTS. HEAT GAUGE SAYS ITS RUNNING FINE BUT IT IS REALLY OVERHEATING TO THE BOILING POINT. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS I JUST BOUGHT IT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE HAD…”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT…”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE AND ROLLED OVER A FENCE INTO A WATER RESERVE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE FENCE. THE SEAT BELT…”
“2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. IT WENT OFF AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON. THE 4H LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS SENT…”
The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.