2003 Mitsubishi MONTERO SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 31 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 16.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
Engine: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 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 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2003: 6; 2004: 8; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2008: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10052247 · 2004-01-02 (January 2, 2004)
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED EVERY 3,000-4,000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS DRIVER'S ABUSE THAT CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS/PADS. CONSUMER WAS FURIOUS. CURRENTLY, AFTER 4,000 MILES. BRAKES WERE SHOT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088670 · 2004-08-27 (August 27, 2004)
BY 20,000 MILES THE TRUCK'S FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE SO OUT OF ROUND THAT THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DURRING BRAKING. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE BRAKE PADS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRENTY. THIS IS REDICULOUS. I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO HAVE A TRUCK'S BRAKING SYSTEM SERVICED BEFORE 80,000 MILES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014081 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
VEHICLE WON'T ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE (ACTS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL). ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD (UNDER 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE). SOMETIMES WILL SLAM INTO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS IN OUR OPINION. VEHICLE HAS 146 MILES. DEALER HAD VEHICLE TWICE FOR 2 DAYS EACH AND SAY THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040866 · 2003-09-28 (September 28, 2003)
2ND TIMEINTO DAELER FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WILL HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. FIRST TIME DEALER UNSURE OF THE CAUSE OR HOW TO FIX HAD VEHICLE IN SHOP ALMOST 2 WEEKS. 2ND TIME, DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE OVER 2 WEEKS AND STILL NOT FIXED ,SAID COULD BE 1 OF 3 THINGS. THEY HAVE REPLACED 2 OF THE 3 SO STILL HAVE 1 TO GO AND I GUESS I WILL BE OUT OF THE VEHICLE ANOTHER WEEK FOR A TOTAL OF 3 WEEKS IF THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM.FIRST INCIDENT WAS AROUND 3000 MILES SECOND INCIDENT AT 16000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,559 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121591 · 2005-05-18 (May 18, 2005)
2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE BOTTOMING OUT WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD AND BOUNCES WHEN DRIVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE WITH 1/8 TO 1/4 INCHES OF PLAY. THERE WAS ALSO A THUMPING NOISE UNDER THE DRIVER'S LEFT FOOT. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND STATED THAT EVERYTHING. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PROFESSION TIRE SHOP THAT DETERMINED THAT EH VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239451 · 2008-08-23 (August 23, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568166 · 2014-03-10 (March 10, 2014)
VERY COLD NIGHT , SUB ZERO. HORN STARTED BLOWING AND CONTINUED UNTIL FUSE BURNT OUT. LEFT STRONG BURNT WIRING SMELL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568166 at NHTSA ↗