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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Mitsubishi Montero SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 61 owner complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Most complaints involve air bags (12) and engine and engine cooling (9). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
61
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

61 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2002 – Sep 2022
  1. Air bags12
  2. Engine and engine cooling9
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  4. Electrical system7
  5. Structure6
  6. Power train5
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Visibility3
  9. Tires3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Montero Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199835
199933
200097
2001242
200261
200383
20045
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

12 reports10 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT AT A CERTAIN ANGLE, THE HORN OF THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN MODULE RELATED TO THE AIR BAG AND A RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2015Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10785008

Engine and engine cooling

9 reports1 crash
“CRANSKHAFT BOLT SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON ICY ROADS. THE INCIDENT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, HARMONIC BALANCER, AND TIMING BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SHEARED BOLT WAS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IDENTIFIED SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING RECALLS ON DIFFERENT MITSUBISHI MODELS AND THE SAME MODEL BUT WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT ES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2008Engine and engine coolingODI 10214082

Service brakes, hydraulic

8 reports2 crashes
“I HAVE HAD SEVERAL TIMES TO TAKE MY CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED AND/OR REPLACED. I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT LX THAT HAVE GIVEN ME DISCOMFORT WHEN HAVING TO STOP WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED ABOVE 45 MPH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE NUMBER OF TIME I HAVE REPLACE MY BRAKES ARE NOT NORMAL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD TO DO A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHAUL WHICH CAUSED ME TO GET 2ND AND 3RD OPINIONS WHICH IS COSTLY AS WELL. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE CHECKED ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR FOR ISSUES RELATED TO AND NOT RELATED TO CRASHES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2010Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10325910
All 2002 Montero Sport problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Montero Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,350494
Montero Sport 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,550523
Montero Sport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,550523
Montero Sport 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,000592
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026Vehicle 4514
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Montero Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 13, 2026.

What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?

Owners filed 61 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (12), engine and engine cooling (9), service brakes, hydraulic (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026