NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 174 owner complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (55) and service brakes (25). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKES, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, AND APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH A NHSTA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,451....UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FLUID GOING TO THE BRAKES. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE ABS BOOSTER AND HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/16/13”
“A/L BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF EVERYTIME BRAKE PEDALS IS APPLIED ACCOMPANIED WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE DASH. THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01V254002 ABOUT A BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR DEFECT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR POSSIBLE RECALL FIX BUT GOT DENIED SINCE ITS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN. SHOULDNT THIS BE PART OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN SINCE ITS A SAFETY ISSUE? DO I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE BRAKES FAIL AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT?”
“My horn goes off when I turn the steering wheel or hit bumps when driving and when parked and turned off, if its close to freezing it will go off constantly early in the morning before dawn and I have to disconnect the battery or pull the fuse for the horn under the hood fuse panel to stop it. I can't drive it with a horn fuse in and have tried replacing the steering wheel airbag and it still has the same problem. My neighbor had the same issue on his 04 Jeep and his car was fixed with an airbag actuator recall. No warning lights ever come on. Only my mechanic has looked at the vehicle.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montero Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,000 | 592 |
| Montero Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $5,350 | 635 |
| 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 |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 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.
Owners filed 174 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (55), service brakes (25), air bags (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).