VehicleVerdict

2002 Mitsubishi Montero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 132 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.6 times the median Montero year — the 2002 model ranks #2 of 22 Montero years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 11 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 52% of all reports (69 of 132), far ahead of engine at 11.

132

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

11

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Montero years?

Montero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montero years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Montero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6952%
Engine118%
Fuel System97%
Airbags75%
Electrical System75%
Other75%
Body & Structure54%
Transmission54%
Lighting32%
Steering32%
Tires & Wheels22%
Latches & Locks11%
Seat Belts11%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

3 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.

04V319000Fuel SystemJuly 6, 2004 · 44,214 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FACING FORWARD ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, THE FUEL TANK LEVELING VALVE MAY NOT MAINTAIN PROPER SEALING IN THE EVENT THE FUEL EXPANDS FROM A RISE IN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.

Consequence

IF THE FUEL LEVELING VALVE DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY, FUEL MAY LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEVELING VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 01V254001. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR UPON TRYING TO STOP. *AK ULTIMATELY, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, HOWEVER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 1, 2003 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT IS DRIVING 40 MPH. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE ENGINE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2003

“I STARTED TO SMELL GAS WHEN NEAR THE MONTERO. I THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A VALVE SEALING BUT IT GOT WORSE, AND I STARTED NOTICING A GAS PUDDLE UNDER THE MONTERO. I REMOVED THE PLASTIC SHIELD FROM AROUND THE TANK AND FOUND AN AREA ABOUT 9" X 7" HAD SURFACE RUST ON IT AND THE LEAK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 30, 2008

“CAR STALLED DUE TO DRINK (WHICH WAS IN DRINK HOLDER) SPILLING ACROSS SHIFT AREA DURING SUDDEN BRAKING - APPARENTLY LIQUID SHORTED OUT WIRING AND CAR WOULDN'T DRIVE AGAIN UNTIL IT DRIED OUT - IF THESE TWO ITEMS MUST BE CLOSE TOGETHER THEN THE GEAR/SHIFT AREA SHOULD BE WATER TIGHT/PROOF - FOR SURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 10, 2009

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN A THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 6, 2006 · crash

2002 Mitsubishi Montero — common questions

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 132 complaints put the 2002 model at #2 of 22 Montero years. It is one of the Montero years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Montero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (69 complaints), engine (11 complaints), fuel system (9 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.