2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (16% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and engine (5). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 48% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags5 16%
- Electrical system5 16%
- Engine5 16%
- Brakes4 13%
- Engine cooling4 13%
- Fuel system4 13%
- Suspension3 9.7%
- Vehicle speed control3 9.7%
- Seat belts1 3.2%
Also reported: Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I rear-ended an SUV going about 30-35 MPH and my airbags failed to deploy and my seatbelt failed to catch, throwing my upper body forward into the steering wheel. The police at the scene of the accident said they could not believe my airbags did not deploy with the amount of damage to the front end of my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10239451, filed 2008-08, 93,000 milesElectrical system: “Takata recall when a oil leek accor in due time it automatically drips directly on one of the spark plugs.also the emissions control system doesn't function a reading electronic diagnostic when finding issue”
NHTSA complaint #10992777, filed 2017-06, 100 milesEngine: “I was pulling in a sheets station and going into a parking space when my accelerator pedal stuck to the floor and when I left go the brake pedal vehicle kept moving and crashed into a red post which stopped the vehicle then I noticed the gas pedal coming back up and was able to ,put in reverse and cruise back in same parking space did damage to motor and radiator and front body my wife claims this has done it to her as well. I was scared.”
NHTSA complaint #10554835, filed 2013-12, 124,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “2nd timeinto daeler for transmission problems. Will have problems shifting then the check engine light comes on. First time dealer unsure of the cause or how to fix had vehicle in shop almost 2 weeks. 2nd time, dealer has had vehicle over 2 weeks and still not fixed ,said could be 1 of 3 things. They have replaced 2 of the 3 so still have 1 to go and I guess I will be out of the vehicle another week for a total of 3 weeks if this fixes the problem.first incident was around 3000 miles second incident at 16000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10040866, filed 2003-09, 16,559 milesMileage when problems were reported
48% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,000 and 117,329 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montero Sport · sedan | not rated | 4 / 3 | — | — | 2 |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montero Sport 2WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Montero Sport 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Montero Sport 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Montero Sport 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10240443Jul 21, 2023Equipment. This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- 10235609Apr 24, 2023Body and structure. This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
- 10235608Apr 24, 2023Equipment. This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more…
- 10235606Apr 21, 2023Equipment. This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022Other or unknown, Exterior lighting. This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a…
- 10169006Nov 26, 2019Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703Jul 30, 2019Equipment. This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10130468Feb 27, 2018Equipment. This is a message sent to dealers, to inform them that an update for MEDIC will be available.
- 10130469Feb 26, 2018Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015Transmission and drivetrain, Wheels, Engine cooling…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 31 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 54 | 89,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 63 | 66,825 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 97 | 116,350 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 33 | 96,750 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 35 | 151,120 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 29 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mitsubishi Montero Sport model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (16% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (Montero Sport 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 3,000 and 117,329 miles; 48% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.