AI Damage2002 Mitsubishi Montero: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero filed 111 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 111
- involving a crash
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 61% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 3% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 68 complaints (61% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (7% of all).
- Air bags: 7 complaints (6% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (6% of all).
- Fuel system: 5 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 111 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 68 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Takata recall - my late husband and I were in a suv rollover accident in may 4, 2006. Our vehicle was rear-ended by another suv and ultimately involved four (4) vehicles total. The airbags in our vehicle did not deploy and my husband died later from complications induced by internal bleeding.
On another occasion, the contact crashed into a fire hydrant as a result of the brakes failing to engage. The contact was not injured in either crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised that the abs module pump needed to be replaced.
Loud noise front driver side dashboard chirping and vibrating . When I applied brakes it was like u had no brakes I applied it again n the pedal went all the way down at the same time there was a clicking noise coming from dash board I tried to stop the car after several attempts I was able to pull over hitting the…
Dt*: the contact stated that an accident occurred while driving 32 mph and the seatbelt did not restrain and the air bag did not deploy. A police report was taken a the scene of the accident. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection however the dealer has not determined the cause of the problem.
Ultimately, the consumer had an accident as a result of the brake failure. The consumer stated he received a recall notice in the mail, however the manufacturer stated the consumers vehicle was not a part of the recall.
Our accident occured while towing a pop up trailer. We are experienced driver's and have been towing a trailer for more than 12 years. While traveling at approximately 55 mph, suddenly and without warning I was unable to control the car. We were traveling on a straight section of highway in the right lane.
Vehicle involved in accident when second party ran red light. Vehicles air bags did not deploy causiong injury to consumer and his daughter.
My car has 2 recalls and my local Mitsubishi dealer refused to fix the recalls.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,319 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Montero has 36 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 111, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Montero 19864 sources
- Montero 19873 sources
- Montero 198910 sources
- Montero 199023 sources
- Montero 199118 sources
- Montero 199212 sources
- Montero 199314 sources
- Montero 199431 sources
- Montero 199586 sources
- Montero 199627 sources
- Montero 199763 sources
- Montero 199874 sources
- Montero 199940 sources
- Montero 200051 sources
- Montero 2001166 sources
- Montero 200339 sources
- Montero 20045 sources
- Montero 20064 sources
- Montero 99993 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine and cooling, air bags. Total complaints: 111. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (10%), brake failure (7%), vibration (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.