2002 Mitsubishi MONTERO SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 54 complaints (14.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 22.2% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 14.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Electrical System: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Air Bags: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System:Horn: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2002: 10; 2003: 6; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 1; 2010: 6; 2011: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 10010383 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FAILED UPON FRONTAL IMPACT. I AM A POLICE OFFICER/ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR AND I INVESTIGATED AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE DRIVER OF THE MONTERO IMPACTED THE REAR OF A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. THE IMPACT DAMAGED THE LEFT FRONT OF THE MONTERO ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM ROLLING. THE IMPACT ALSO CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE TO BREAK. THE LINE BROKE AT THE POINT WHERE THE FLEXIBLE RUBBER PART OF THE LINE CONNECTS TO THE METAL FITTING THAT IS ATTACHED TO T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072955 · 2004-05-21 (May 21, 2004)
+BRAKE PADS MUST BE CHANGED BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WEAR. MILEAGE: 17,000.IF THE TRUCK IS STOPPED, AND YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, YOU FEEL LIKE IT WOULD STALL, BUT IT KEEPS GOING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000284 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
A MONTH AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS CRACKED, LEAKING WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND NOW THE STEERING ISN'T WORKING IN THE MANNER IT SHOULD. THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND WHILE STOPPING YESTERDAY THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY ROLLED TO THE LEFT. THEN WHILE ON A GRAVEL ROAD THE WHEEL COMPLETELY SPUN AROUND. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING, BUT THE MITSUBISHI HEADQUARTERS SAID THERE AREN'T ANY RECALLS.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,325 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181825 · 2007-02-06 (February 6, 2007)
DURING COLD WEATHER (APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES C AND BELOW) THE HORN STARTS BLOWING AND WON'T TURN OFF UNLESS THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED OR THE CAR INTERIOR HAS WARMED UP. THE ONLY WAY I HAVE TO PREVENT THE HORN FROM COMING ON IS TO KEEP THE HORN/AIR/BAG ASSEMBLY WARM. I WRAP AN ELECTRIC BLANKET AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 69,108 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046283 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE LOSING POWER AND CUTTING OFF.*MR VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. VEHICLE STALLED. *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10556927 · 2013-12-21 (December 21, 2013)
2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT; THE CAR HORN/ALARM GOES OFF USUALLY WHEN A DROP OF TEMPERATURE OCCURS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. TO FIX ... HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL OF THE AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. VERY EXPENSIVE FOR A MECHANIC, OVER $1200. I HAVE TO UNHOOK MY BATTERY EVERY NIGHT AND ON COLDER DAYS. RESEARCHING ONLINE.....A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DISABLING THE HORN/ALARM SYSTEM AND DRIVING WITHOUT HORNS. OR THEY ARE TAMPERING WITH THE AIR BAG TO TRY AND FIX. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM....... TODAY I COULD NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349049 · 2010-08-12 (August 12, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK WHILE SHE WAS ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE FUEL STORAGE TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V319000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,037.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,037 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11022445 · 2017-09-09 (September 9, 2017)
THE HOOD FLEW UP WHEN SAFETY LATCH FAILED TO HOLD IT,, PLUS BRAKE LINE TROUBLES AS WELL AS GAS TANK FILL PIPE ALL RUSTED OUT,, HOOD WAS ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 30MPH AN WRAPPED ARROUND WINDSHIELD,,
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11022445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089597 · 2004-08-24 (August 24, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING WITH VEHICLE IS AT FULL CAPACITY IT SHUTTERS. TRANSMISSION VIBRATES, AND THEN TAKE OFF, IS VERY SLUGGISH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089597 at NHTSA ↗