2003 Mitsubishi Montero Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 8%of 39 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero, 8% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was operating a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero when I rear ended a mercury mountaineer and projected it into 2 other vehicles...... Heavy damage to the front end of my Montero, however, my driver side air bag did not go off. I was projected into the steering column and then my head went through the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #10174759, filed 2006-11, 40,000 miles“The contact stated while driving 55mph a deer was struck with the front end of the vehicle. While applying brake pressure the vehicle began to gain speed, spun around, veered off the road and rolled over four times in a ditch. The air bags did not deploy in the accident. The air bag warning light was not illuminated prior to the crash. There were three occupants in the vehicle all of which were wearing seat belts. The contact was six months pregnant and received injuries during the accident. The police were alerted and a report was filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154690, filed 2006-04, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 14 | 8% |
| 2000 | 5 | 10% |
| 1999 | 5 | 13% |
| 1998 | 6 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
11 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology