VehicleVerdict

2001 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 213 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.1 times the median Montero year — the 2001 model ranks #1 of 22 Montero years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 79 reports (37% of the total).

213

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Montero years?

Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted213 complaints1984: 0 complaints1986: 8 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 10 complaints1990: 25 complaints1991: 22 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 17 complaints1994: 35 complaints1995: 106 complaints1996: 40 complaints1997: 85 complaints1998: 91 complaints1999: 47 complaints2000: 68 complaints2001: 213 complaints2002: 132 complaints2003: 53 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 6 complaints
Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mitsubishi Montero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7937%
Electrical System2813%
Engine2612%
Transmission168%
Airbags147%
Suspension126%
Steering84%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Other52%
Body & Structure52%
Lighting42%
Speed Control31%
Tires & Wheels21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seats10%
Fuel System10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

04V067000OtherFebruary 11, 2004 · 134,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.

Consequence

IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy

A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

01V254001BrakesAugust 3, 2001 · 39,020 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACCUMULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 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.

00V123002Visibility & WipersMay 1, 2000 · 4,275 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Consequence

THIS LIMITS THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID A PRECEDING VEHICLE THAN ABRUPTLY APPLIED THEIR BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2012 · crash

“THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTS BLARING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IF YOU DO NOT REMOVE THE FUSE. IF YOU REMOVE THE FUSE IT LEAVES YOU WITH NO HORN! COMPLETELY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING NOT TO HAVE A HORN. CLEARLY THIS DEFECT WAS NEVER CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER LOOKING FOR A CAUSE IN MANY FORUMS, IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 29, 2012

“THE OIL LIGHT INDICATOR FAILED TO WARN THAT THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WAS DEPLETED UNTIL APPROX 30 SECONDS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING. THE RODS CRACKED THE ENGINE AND BROKE THE HEAD GASKET MIXING OIL AND WATER TOGETHER. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN IN SECONDS. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 15, 2002

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. WHILE DECELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSFER CASE ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2014

“MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WAITING FOR A GREEN TURN SIGNAL. OTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STRAIGHTEN AFTER MAKING A TURN AND HIT MY VEHICLE HEAD-ON. HIS SPEED APPROX .35, MY SPEED 0. HIS AIRBAGS FIRED OFF. MINE DID NOT. DEALER CANNOT GET AIRBAG SYSTEM TO RESET PROPERLY WHILE UNDER REPAIR. THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 16, 2001 · crash

2001 Mitsubishi Montero — common questions

Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 213 complaints put the 2001 model at #1 of 22 Montero years. It is one of the Montero years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Montero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (79 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints), engine (26 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Montero years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Montero years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 1995, 1998, 1997, 2000, 2003, 1999, 1996. The cleanest record among Montero years belongs to 1984.

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.