Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2003 Mitsubishi Montero SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 83 owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Most complaints involve power train (15) and service brakes, hydraulic (10). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
83
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
83 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2003 – Jun 2017
- Power train15
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Air bags9
- Electrical system9
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Service brakes7
- Suspension6
- Fuel system, gasoline6
- Engine5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
15 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD PIERCING SOUND WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
10 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.”
Air bags
9 reports7 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHILE STEERING ABRUPTLY, THE VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES LANDING ON ITS ROOF. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montero Sport 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,350 | 494 |
| Montero Sport 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,550 | 523 |
| Montero Sport 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,550 | 523 |
| Montero Sport 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Nov 13, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026Vehicle 4826
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2003 Montero Sport questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 13, 2026.
What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (15), service brakes, hydraulic (10), air bags (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026