Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Power train6
- Service brakes5
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Electrical system4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Air bags3
- Suspension3
- Tires2
- Fuel system, other2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero failed the safety check 2.92% of the time — 39% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 134,494 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 15.9 L/100 km (about 15 mpg US), CO₂ 366 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montero · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 17.9 | 13.5 | 15.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero.
| 2004255 19 Jul 2004 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, when the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is parked forward on an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve may not maintain proper seali… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FACING FORWARD ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, THE FUEL TANK LEVELING VALVE MAY NOT MAINTAIN PROPER SEALING IN THE EVENT THE FUEL EXPANDS FROM A RISE IN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mitsubishi told its dealers about the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10240443 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10235609 | This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue. |
| 10235608 | This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs. |
| 10235606 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10211530 | This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part. |
| 10170852 | This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals. |
| 10170100 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170099 | This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012. |
| 10170097 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170096 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170087 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170086 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170074 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170071 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170070 | This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components. |
| 10169006 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10163703 | This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label. |
| 10145181 | This is a Technical Information Notice sent to dealers, to inform them that MB991855V (12-13 Pin Reprogramming Adapter) is now available for purchase. To reprogram 2002 - 2006 Montero and 2003 - 2006 Outlander vehicles, MB991855 is necessary. This tool was removed from our essential tool kit due to its limited application and became part of our tool loaner program. |
| 10130469 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10130468 | This is a message sent to dealers, to inform them that an update for MEDIC will be available. |
| 10041406 | MITSUBISHI: 2003-2006 MONTERO. A CORRECTED PRESSURE SWITCH CHECK PROCEDURE. *RM |
| 10021743 | REPROGRAMMING THE PCM DRIVABILITY OR SENSITIVITY ISSUES CAN BE CORRECTED. *KB |
| 10020120 | REAR AXLE SHAFT FLANGE COMING LOOSE. *TT |
| 10018379 | RV METER TEMPERATURE DISPLAY UPDATE. MITSUBISHI. TECH TALK. *TT |
| 10016169 | A/C COMPRESSOR OIL SPECIFICATION - SERVICE MANUAL REVISION. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)