VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Mitsubishi Montero1997–2006
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Mitsubishi Montero
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Mitsubishi Montero Years to Avoid
1 recall · 112 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2 recalls · 66 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
2 recalls · 32 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the Montero became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Mitsubishi Montero — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 72 | 39 | 60 | Excellent |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 72 | 39 | 60 | Excellent |
| 2004 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 2 | 32 | 4 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 2002 | 2 | 66 | 4 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
| 2001 | 1 | 112 | 7 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 2 | 32 | 1 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 1999 | 2 | 24 | 3 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Good |
| 1998 | 2 | 46 | 18 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Avoid |
| 1997 | 0 | 38 | 4 | — | 57 | 39 | 51 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Mitsubishi Montero Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Montero compares — best year within each era shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Montero to buy?+
The 2005 Mitsubishi Montero scores highest on our Buyer Score (60/100) — combining a reliability score of 72/100 with a value score of 39/100. It has 0 recalls and 1 NHTSA complaint on record.
Which Montero years have the most problems?+
The 2001, 2002, 2003 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2001 Montero leads with 1 recalls and 112 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Montero problems?+
The most frequently reported Mitsubishi Montero issues involve: SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.