2001 Mitsubishi Montero
This year had more than double the complaints of 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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1986 | 4 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1991 | 18 |
| 1992 | 12 |
| 1993 | 14 |
| 1994 | 32 |
| 1995 | 86 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 1997 | 63 |
| 1998 | 74 |
| 1999 | 40 |
| 2000 | 51 |
| 2001 | 166 |
| 2002 | 111 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
47% of complaints: service brakes — 78 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130122
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE HEARD AN ABNORMAL CHIRPING SOUND AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE SOUND ORIGINATED FROM THE UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190705
I'M DRIVING DOWNHILL WHEN MY BRAKES START ACTING UP. IT WAS SO HARD AND NO POWER BRAKES , I NEEDED TO USE THE HAND BRAKES TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T GOING HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120626
16% of complaints: electrical system — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and ignition.
13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and radiator assembly.
10% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
8% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER STATES THAT IN A FRONT END COLLISON THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER. *MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021008
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20010618
WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 50MPH AND I WAS TRAVELING AT 50MPH. THE OTHER CAR WAS TOTALLED AND MY CAR IS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED 50% OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20010301
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REARVIEW MIRROR.
Campaign 00V123002 — check if this car was fixed
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 LEAKAG
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 RECEI
Campaign 01V254001 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
Campaign 04V067000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
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.
Campaign 04V428000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2001 Mitsubishi Montero — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (78 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (27 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V428000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V123002 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V254001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V067000 (equipment) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.