2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year complain most about rust and fracture in the chassis and frame, most often discovered during inspections or when a banging noise appears, and about brake wear and pedal or hose problems. Drivetrain complaints center on automatic transmission overheating warnings during long highway drives and on crankshaft pulley bolt failures that take out power steering. Reports span low-mileage vehicles as well as ones past 120,000 miles, with several issues showing up gradually rather than suddenly.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rusted or fractured frame and undercarriage

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 132,000 mi at 12.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2018

   Owners describe chassis and subframe metal rusted through, sometimes with visible holes, cracked sections, or fracture near the rear differential mount or rear axle. Many were told about it during routine maintenance or state inspection, and some heard banging from the rear before finding the damage. Several were advised the vehicle could not be repaired or should not be driven, and dealers generally did not offer assistance according to the complaints. Mostly reported on vehicles past roughly 100,000 miles, often discovered during inspection or routine service rather than at the time of a failure.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the frame, subframe and rear differential mounting area inspected on a lift for rust-through, flaking metal or cracks before buying, and ask whether the vehicle passes state inspection in your area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I heard a noise while driving at low speeds while hitting bumps, when I stopped driving and looked under the vehicle I noticed the frame was rusted completely through to the other side, and especially bad where the rear differential bracket is attached to the frame, its so loose it doesn't look safe to drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #11154414, filed 2018-11, 200,000 miles

   “My Mitsubishi Montero Sport 00, has frame rot, will not pass inspection, it definitely should be a factory recall, so many complaints, and safe issues”

   NHTSA complaint #10778416, filed 2015-09, 13,623 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission overheat light and fluid loss

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • median 81,500 mi at 4.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2006

   Owners describe the neutral indicator flashing or a transmission temperature light coming on, typically during longer highway drives or when carrying passengers or cargo. The owner's manual directs stopping to let it cool, and some report transmission fluid venting and smoke from the engine bay. Complaints mention hard or erratic shifting and slipping afterward, and dealers reportedly described a larger transmission fluid pan as the remedy in some cases. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 20,000 to 170,000 miles, usually tied to sustained highway driving, heat or heavier loads.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced and whether a larger fluid pan was installed, and check the fluid level and condition; try a sustained highway test drive and watch for the temperature indicator.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am very disappointed in my 2000 Montero Sport and the lack of answers that I have received in the past. In addition my check engine light came on for the first time, when I took the car in I was told the problem had been fixed. Later the same day it came back on, I returned the following day, and was told to find out what was wrong I would have to leave the car one complete day to determine what the problem was since nothing appeared to be wrong. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10093004, filed 2004-09, 123,000 miles

   “While driving at highway speeds the n light on the gear shift started flashing. This indicates that the automatic transmission is overheating, and that I should pull over to let it cool per the owners manual and a sticker on the drivers door. This is inconvenient and has happened on numerous occasions before...at least 20 times. I have gone to the dealer many times to have this fixed to no avail. If the mfr. Knows that the problem exists, why can't the fix it?”

   NHTSA complaint #10110135, filed 2005-02, 169,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a collision

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 123,500 mi at 10.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2019

   Owners describe front-end and rollover crashes in which the driver and passenger airbags did not deploy, in some cases with the airbag cover dislodged but no inflation. Some also report seat belts that did not hold or lock, including rear belts that would not latch. Complaints note injuries in several of these events; no dealer diagnosis of the restraint system is described in most of them. Reported on vehicles from about 60,000 to 140,000 miles, in collisions at varying speeds.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning lamp behaves normally on startup, test that every seat belt latches and retracts, and ask whether the restraint system has ever been serviced or crash-damaged.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While following another vehicle through an intersection, the front vehicle changed lanes very fast and left me immedietely behind a vechile stopped delivering mail. I hit my brakes but not before the vehice behind me slammed into my back end. I, in turn, hit the mail vehicle in front of me. My vehicle was totaled but neither air bag deployed. The impact was servere enough that the casing covering the passenger side airbag was dislodged but still never deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10081158, filed 2004-07, 92,301 miles

   “My son fell asleep while driving. He veered into the median and flipped 5 to 6 times. On first impact his seat belt released, therefore he was thrown up and down each time he flipped. On inspection of the seat belt, it was found that the red release button was ripped out of the receiver part of the seat belt. My son missed five days of work because of the accident. If his seat belt would have held up he might have missed only one day of work. The only lingering injury that he sustained was an injured tail bone that still bothers him. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10170062, filed 2006-10, 134,595 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal travel, hoses and rapid pad wear

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 26,500 mi at 3.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2009

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with longer stopping distance, which one complaint attributes to a brake vacuum hose. Others report brakes and rotors needing replacement repeatedly at relatively low mileage, and vibration or squealing under braking. Some say dealers found nothing wrong while the vehicle was under warranty. Pad and rotor reports cluster at low mileage, often under 40,000, while pedal and hose complaints appear across a wide range.

   Recall 01V0270001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check whether recall 01V027000 for the brake vacuum hoses was completed, inspect pads, rotors and hoses, and feel for a firm pedal and vibration-free braking on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My montero has had significant problems from day one with repeated/numerous visits to several Mitsubishi dealerships in my area. I have had all of the same complaints I have read from other owners and am very disappointed that I bought this sport utility and have spent thousands of dollars to repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10040982, filed 2003-09, 9,000 miles

   “Since I purchased this veh, it never occurred to me as to how often I was having to have the brakes replaced and components replaced. A friend told me to check recalls for Mitsubishi and now I find the brake system has a recall. Well due to me being way past my warranty the recall does not help me, but from what I hear the dealer refuses to make these free repairs. Refund for all consumers who brought the things. No accidents or injury at this point.”

   NHTSA complaint #10280577, filed 2009-08, 30,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Crankshaft pulley bolt loosening or failing

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2005–2013

   Owners describe a crankshaft pulley bolt that came loose or broke, sometimes with a rattle from the front of the engine, followed by loss of power steering and charging because the accessory belts stopped turning. Some were told the crankshaft bolt or pulley assembly needed replacement, and several reference an earlier recall for other model years that did not cover their vehicle. Complaints also mention vibration or engine noise before the failure. Reported from about 75,000 to 186,000 miles, often while driving at road or highway speeds.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft pulley bolt has been checked or replaced, listen for rattling from the front of the engine at idle, and confirm power steering assist is normal during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the contact stated that the crank shaft bolt came loose on the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport on 9-6-05. The crank shaft bolt broke the air conditioner belt. The contact lost power steering ability, the alternator belt broke and the harmonic balancer failed. In 1999 there was a recall on the crank bolt but this vehicle was not included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10135678, filed 2005-09, 100,000 miles

   “The 2000 Montero Sport had the same problem as the 1995-1999 model. The crankshaft has come off the vehicle on four different occasions. Had to pay thousands of dollars ,including $1400.00 on the last visit to Mitsubishi dealership. Now it happened again and the dealer tells me the crankshaft itself has to be replace and while they are doing that , they might as well replaced the piston to,which will cause thousands more dollars in repairs. Mitisi needs to own up to there responsibilities, and honor these repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10191404, filed 2007-05, 122,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on frame rust, brake condition and the front engine pulley is worth the cost on this model year, given how often those items appear in complaints. Service records for transmission fluid and the brake hose recall help separate a maintained example from a neglected one.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.