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ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHTS AS STATED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL ARE IN ERROR.
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2004 Mitsubishi Montero SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (2) and engine and engine cooling (1). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15–17mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2004
Owner complaints
5
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2006 – Nov 2015
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Power train1
- Air bags1
- Seat belts1
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 Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Fuel/propulsion system
2 reports
“FILL SUV WITH GAS AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT UNDER THE SUV.”
Engine and engine cooling
1 report
“HEAT GAUGE IS FAULTY AND IT WILL BLOW HOT HEAT ONLY OUT OF DRIVER SIDE VENTS AND BLOWS COLD OUT OF THE REST OF THE VENTS. HEAT GAUGE SAYS ITS RUNNING FINE BUT IT IS REALLY OVERHEATING TO THE BOILING POINT. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS I JUST BOUGHT IT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE HAD NO USE FOR THE HEAT TILL NOW AND NEVER DROVE IT FAR ENOUGH TILL TODAY WHEN I NOTICED THE HEAT GAUGE AND HEARD IT BOILING OVER WITH STEAM COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. *TR”
Power train
1 report
“2004 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVETIME AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. IT WENT OFF AFTER I TURNED IT OFF. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON. THE 4H LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS SENT TO A MECHANIC WHO REMOVED ALL THE ELECTRIC CONNECTORS AND PRONOUNCED THE CAR FIXED. 2 DAYS LATER THE A/T TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I WAS SENT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION 2 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN ANYTIME I DRIVE MORE THAT 40 MILES. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 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 Oct 30, 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, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Montero Sport 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
- 17mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 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 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 1230
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.
2004 Montero Sport questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?
1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (2), engine and engine cooling (1), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026