Is the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Reliable?

19972004 defect & recall-risk analysis from citable NHTSA data.

The score ranks this model's recall intensity against other suvs — plus systemic-defect concentration and any open federal investigations. It measures defect and recall risk, not long-term mechanical durability, and is deliberately not skewed by how many were sold.

72/100
Good

Reliability Score

3
Total Recalls
221
Owner Complaints
28
Reported Injuries
4
Reported Deaths
Recall intensity (what drives the score)
0.0 recalls/yr vs. suv median 1.8/yr
Safety record (separate score)
Lowno open investigations · 4 deaths, 28 injuries on record

Own a Mitsubishi Montero Sport? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport Reliability by Year

Model YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliability ScoreRating
200403
57
Fair
200302341
57
Fair
200202891
57
Fair
20011404
57
Fair
2000163102
57
Fair
1999124
57
Fair
19980231
57
Fair
1997017
57
Fair

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the Montero Sport Compares to Similar Vehicles

Mitsubishi Montero Sport72/100
Suv Category Average69/100

The Montero Sport scores 3 points above the average suv — a strong result.

Known Mitsubishi Montero Sport Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
AIR BAGS
8

Based on 221 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Montero Sport reliable?+

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport scores 72/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 8 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 3 recall campaigns and 221 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year Montero Sport is most reliable?+

Among the years analyzed, the 2004 Montero Sport achieved the highest reliability score of 57/100 with 0 recalls and 3 complaints.

How many miles does a Montero Sport last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Mitsubishi Montero Sport owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Montero Sport will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Mitsubishi Montero Sport Research

Check a Specific Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

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