2001 Mitsubishi MONTERO SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
63 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
66,825 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 63 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 31.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
Electrical System: 7; Steering: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Electrical System:Horn: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2001: 12; 2002: 9; 2003: 7; 2004: 9; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010932 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 2003)
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT 3.5XS JUNE OF 2001. IT NOW HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT AND DURING THOSE 37,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED TWICE AND HAVE THE BRAKES PADS REPLACED THREE TIME SINCE JUNE OF 2001. I AM NOT A HARD DRIVER NOR DO I DRIVE RECKLESSLY. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. I ALSO KNOW SOMEONE WHO OWNS A 2001 MONTERO SPORT ES WHO HAS ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. OR IF THIS IS NORMAL FOR A MITSUBISHI PRODUCT BEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,022 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020611 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
THE ROTORS AND BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2001 MONTERO SPORT ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. AT 4217 MIIES, THE REAR ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED. THEY WARP BADLY, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO CONTOL WHEN BREAKING. NOW AT 37K THEY NEED TURNING AGAIN, IF POSSIBLE, OR REPLACEMENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,217 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080681 · 2004-07-09 (July 9, 2004)
I PURCHASED A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT FROM JACK TAYLOR ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA. ON SEPTEMBER 09, 2002, I EXPERIENCED TROUBLE WITH MY VEHICLE ON THE WAY BACK FROM OUR SOUTH CAROLINA VACATION. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STARTED HESITATING, SMOKING HEAVILY AND THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. UNFORTUNATELY, THE STATIONS SERVICE AREA WAS CLOSED, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE TRANSMISSION WE ADDED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS RECOMMENDED AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. FINALLY, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR THE VEHICLE STARTED UP, THE A/T TEMP LIGHT WENT O…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,346 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088197 · 2004-08-19 (August 19, 2004)
IN DECEMBER 2002 I PURCHASED MY CAR (2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT XLS 4X4) FROM A LOCAL PRIVATE SELLER. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 38,000 AT THE TIME AND WAS STILL UNDER THE 60,000 MILE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. THE SELLER INSISTED HE DID NOT HAVE THE RECORDS OF THE REPAIRS, BUT DID GIVE ME A SPREADSHEET OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR CHECKED BY MY REGULAR MECHANIC I BOUGHT THE CAR DESPITE THE LACK OF RECORDS SINCE IT HAD LOW MILEAGE AND WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN DROVE THE CAR AND PERFORMED THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. IN D…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10088197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001103 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240062 · 2008-08-28 (August 28, 2008)
ON MY WAY TO A FUNERAL, MY TRUCKS TRANSMISSION STALLED ON THE ROAD. WHEN THIS STARTED MY VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER IN RICHMOND, VA. RIGHT NOW MY TRUCK IS STILL AT THE DEALER AWAITING MY APPROVAL FOR MORE REPAIRS TO BE DONE. RIGHT NOW MY REPAIR BILL IS AT A COST OF 2,013.29 AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326751 · 2010-04-21 (April 21, 2010)
2001 MONTERO SPORT CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE HORN STAY ON HAVE TO REMOVE FUSE ONLY WAY TO FIXED READ MORE USERS SAME ISSUES BATTERY DEAD AS PARTS OF AL THIS MALFUNCTIONS READ SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEMS SAME CAR SAME YEAR COMPANY MAKE NO RECALLS WHY??? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329114 · 2010-05-06 (May 6, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONTACT APPLIED MINIMAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT APPLIED REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IT EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE WITHOUT THE CRUI…
Owner-reported narrative. 157,419 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050667 · 2003-12-17 (December 17, 2003)
2001 MONTER SPORT XLS 2WD 46,000 MILES. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND IS ALSO RATTLING. CAUSES EXTRA EFFORT IN STABILIZING VEHICLE IN A SINGLE DIRECTION. WAS TAKEN TO TWO SAN ANTONIO BASED DEALERS GILLMAN MITSUBISHI SAN ANTONIO AND NORTHPOINT MITSUBISHI. NORTHPOINT MITSUBISHI DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH MITSUBISHI PROVIDES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHICH INCLUDES SUSPENSION, DRIVETRAIN TO 60,000 MILES MITSUBISHI CORP DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE STATING THAT IT IS NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153371 · 2006-03-21 (March 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WAS ALERTED NO APPOINTMENT FOR INSPECTION WAS MADE.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154591 · 2006-04-05 (April 5, 2006)
IN JAN. MY WIFE STARTED TO GET A WHIFF OF GASOLINE EVERY NOW AND THEN WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF HER 2001 MONTERO SPORT. IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO AROUSE SUSPICION. IN THE WEEK OF 3/27/06, THE SMELL BECAME SEVERE. I FOUND GAS RUNNING DOWN THE GAS TANK, DRIPPING ONTO A HOSE RUNNING BELOW IT, AND TO THE GROUND. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AT VACHON MITSUBISHI ON THURS., 3/30/06. I WAS CONTACTED BY VACHON AND TOLD THAT THE TANK WAS ROTTED AT THE SEAM AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THIS WOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY AS THE CAR WAS ONLY 5 …
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259939 · 2009-02-25 (February 25, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WELD ZONE OF THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS. THE FUEL TANKS WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,222 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,222 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259939 at NHTSA ↗