2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 54
- Recalls
- 0
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Air bags
None on file
Opened by NHTSA
20% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 54 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 29 |
| 1998 | 35 |
| 1999 | 33 |
| 2000 | 97 |
| 2001 | 63 |
| 2002 | 54 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
20% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
I own a 2002 Mitsubishi montero, it has been in 2 severe head on impacts, one at over 35MPH.....neither time has the airbags deployed on this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-31
2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport; the car horn/alarm goes off usually when a drop of temperature occurs in the middle of the night. To fix ... Has something to do with a short in the electrical of the air bag and the steering wheel column.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-21
Service brakes
19% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Electrical system
13% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing horn and alternator/generator/regulator.
Show complaint excerpts
I checked and there's several recalls on the vehicle and I purchase it last year from the dealership and I never received anything about the recalls and now my vehicle doesn't want to start it lock me out.
NHTSA ODI report, 2022-09-04
Engine and engine cooling
11% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing engine and emission control.
Structure
9% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing body.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The contact stated that during a routine inspection, the contact was advised that the frame was rotting and there were twenty two inch-long fractures found in the frame.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-08
Safety timeline
No recalls on file for this model year.
0 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002Complaint volume 54 complaints filed for this model year.
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I
2006-05-24Recall queryClosed 2006-10-12 Brake booster accumulator failure
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 11 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 10 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
- No recalls are on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.