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Mitsubishi MonteroModel year report

2003 Mitsubishi Montero Problems

Complaints
39filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
81,500miles, 32 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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
15 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. The part named most often is brakes, with 11 complaints (28% of the total), followed by fuel system (6) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 32 of the complaints include a mileage, and 34% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 37 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 4 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.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Electronic stability control (1), Equipment (1), Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I have a 2003 Montero limited and suddenly my brakes failed and the car had a high piercing noise. I had the car towed to a near by Mitsubishi dealer in marlow heights maryland only to be told that if it was the accumulator they would fixed it at no charge. However, after their review it they said it was the hydraulic brake booster and it would cost me $2500 after taking it to another mechanical shop I was told it was the accumulator and the part was $228 plus labor charges.”

NHTSA complaint #10365734, filed 2010-11, 114,000 miles

Fuel system: “The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel and a container had to be used to keep the fuel from leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel was seeping through the fuel tank. The dealer advised that the fuel vac and vapor filter needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v319000 (fuel system: gasoline storage) and provided no further assistance. The failure and the current mileages were 67,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10477373, filed 2012-09, 67,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Loud humming noise from the drivers side rear end. Excessive wear on rear drivers side tire. Got louder the higher the MPH went. Had mechanic inspect and found the arm from the wheel to the differential was separated and about to come apart. Mistubishi dealer repaired and charged 2100.00 to fix.”

NHTSA complaint #10228163, filed 2008-05, 73,945 miles

Electrical system: “An electrical system failure was causing all electrical operated components to malfunction or inoperative. For example, automatic door locks/interior lights/radio and etc. The cause of the failure had not been determined although vehicle had been serviced several times for this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10037616, filed 2003-08, 50,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

34% of the 32 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 26,000 and 135,000 miles.

9%0–1016%10–259%25–5013%50–7513%75–10019%100–15022%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (32 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 81,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’048’06’08’10’12’14’16
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mitsubishi Montero version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Montero RWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141815$5,500
Montero RWD3.8L 6-cyl5-speed automatic131815$5,500

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

Recall details for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero → · Check a 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. 37 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 37 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Montero

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20045125,0003—15—Not enough data
20033981,5002—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200211184,5003—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2001166107,3714—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200051109,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994084,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19987489,5004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199763110,5002—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199627135,5002—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199586147,5002—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199431185,0005—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199314150,0003—15—Not enough data
199212168,5003—15—Not enough data
199118133,3451—15—Stable
199023228,8591—16—Stable
198910194,0002—16—Not enough data

All Mitsubishi Montero model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have?

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 11 complaints (28% of the total), followed by fuel system with 6.

Has the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero (Montero, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero reported?

Among the 32 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,500 miles and the middle half falls between 26,000 and 135,000 miles; 34% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.