Total Complaints
43 filings
MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT · model year
2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT
43 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003MITSUBISHIMONTERO SPORT carries 43 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 MONTERO SPORT is power train:automatic transmission with 5 filings, followed by engine (5) and engine and engine cooling:engine (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2003 MONTERO SPORT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
43
Complaints
10
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20170609AIR BAGS
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
Mileage: 230,000
20170609FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
Mileage: 230,000
20170609WHEELS
PLUG WIRES SEEM TO HAVE CONTINUAL MANUFACTURERS MISTAKES, THE OIL IS FORCED TO DIRECT A PATH TO THE PLUGS CAUSED TO MISFIRE
Mileage: 230,000
20170601ELECTRICAL 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
Mileage: 100
20170601ENGINE
"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
Mileage: 100
20170601FUEL/PROPULSION 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
Mileage: 100
20150708FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V319000 (FUEL SYSTEM, PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Mileage: 65,000
20150615ENGINE
PIN IN THE HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLING A/C BELT AND DRIVE BELT CAUSING HARMONIC BALANCER TO SEIZE UP. PIN WAS REPLACED. MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON SHOWING A CODE OF MISFIRE. AS WELL AS HARMONIC BALANCER COMING LOOSE...**5/5/15**..... BELTS COME OFF ON HIGH WAY DOING ABOUT 70 MPH. HARMONIC BALANCER LOOSE AGAIN. CRANK BOLT STUCK AND UN REMOVABLE.BELTS CAME OFF AND GOT CAUGHT IN FAN...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/29/2015*JS
Mileage: 170,161
20150211CrashAIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHILE STEERING ABRUPTLY, THE VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES LANDING ON ITS ROOF. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
Mileage: 240,000
20140627CrashSERVICE BRAKES
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
20140627CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
20140627CrashAIR BAGS
[XXX] LICENSE #[XXX] VIN# [XXX] *TR
20140501ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MADE A KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
20140310ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VERY COLD NIGHT , SUB ZERO. HORN STARTED BLOWING AND CONTINUED UNTIL FUSE BURNT OUT. LEFT STRONG BURNT WIRING SMELL. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
20131204CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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. *TR
Mileage: 124,000
20131204CrashENGINE
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. *TR
Mileage: 124,000
20120830ENGINE
I JUST PICKED UP MY SON'S VEHICLE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE WHERE I HAD JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOR HIM. I WAS ON THE WAY TO MEET MY HUSBAND AT THE GROCERY STORE BUT NEEDED TO DROP OFF SOME LETTERS AT THE OUTDOOR MAIL BOX AT THE POST OFFICE WHICH WAS < 1/4 MILE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE. AS I PULLED UP TO THE POST OFFICE DROP BOX, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS GOING JUST A FEW MILES AN HOUR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP! THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME OR IN THE PARKING LOT, SO I JUST STEERED THE VEHICLE AROUND THE LOT CONCENTRATING ON NOT HITTING ANYTHING! ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. IT TOOK ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE FINALLY REVVED BACK DOWN (TO THE NORMAL SOUND) AND THE BRAKES WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE
Mileage: 117,329
20120830SERVICE BRAKES
I JUST PICKED UP MY SON'S VEHICLE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE WHERE I HAD JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOR HIM. I WAS ON THE WAY TO MEET MY HUSBAND AT THE GROCERY STORE BUT NEEDED TO DROP OFF SOME LETTERS AT THE OUTDOOR MAIL BOX AT THE POST OFFICE WHICH WAS < 1/4 MILE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE. AS I PULLED UP TO THE POST OFFICE DROP BOX, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS GOING JUST A FEW MILES AN HOUR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP! THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME OR IN THE PARKING LOT, SO I JUST STEERED THE VEHICLE AROUND THE LOT CONCENTRATING ON NOT HITTING ANYTHING! ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. IT TOOK ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE FINALLY REVVED BACK DOWN (TO THE NORMAL SOUND) AND THE BRAKES WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE
Mileage: 117,329
20081208FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BACKWARDS AND HESITATE. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR IN PARK, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE MINOR AND COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT INTENDS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE SOON. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 96,000.
Mileage: 96,000
20080823CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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. *TR
Mileage: 93,000
Compare 2003MITSUBISHIMONTERO SPORT to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT have?▼
The 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT has 43 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.