VIN REPORT

JA4MW51R42J0086702002 MITSUBISHI Montero

29of 100
Moderate Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls
3
3 campaigns found
Safety Grade
F
44/100 composite
Complaints
174
NHTSA filed
Vehicle Age
24 yrs
Made in JAPAN
BUYPurchase Verdict

2002 MITSUBISHI Montero was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. Owner compla...

14 MPG
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2002 MITSUBISHI Montero

2002 MITSUBISHI Montero was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. Owner complaints include 2 reported deaths and 22 injuries — an extremely serious pattern that warrants further investigation.

  • 3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
  • 2 deaths reported in owner complaints — a serious red flag
  • 24 complaints involved a crash — unusually high incident rate
  • Brakes is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
  • High lemon law risk indicators — multiple safety-critical recall and complaint patterns present
  • Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
29
of 100
Moderate Risk
2 moderate risk signals detected. Negotiate accordingly and verify service history.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
2 Contributing Risk Factors
Critical deferred maintenance — safety-critical components overdue
+20
3 model-wide recalls on record
+9
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
MITSUBISHI
Model
Montero
Year
2002
Trim / Series
Wagon Body Style
Body Style
Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Vehicle Type
MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
Drive Type
4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
6-cyl 3.50L
Doors
5
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC)
Assembly
NAGOYA, JAPAN
GVWR
Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Assembly Plant Quality

Plant: NAGOYA, JAPAN

CQuality55/100
Standard📍 NAGOYA, JAPAN

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

F
Score: 44/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety18/30
Complaint History6/30
40/100Moderate
  • Brake system recall
  • Fuel system recall
0/100
Basic
0 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Low
  • 1 complaint(s) involved a fire
High
  • 2 death(s) reported in complaints
  • 22 injuries reported in complaints
  • Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints

Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.

The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.

Brakes
1 recall79 complaints
Fuel System
1 recall6 complaints
Recalls3

Deferred Failure Risk

Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones

82/100
Critical Deferred Risk
Critical deferred failure risk — 6 safety-critical or high-cost components are past their service interval. Without immediate attention, repair costs will compound significantly.
No odometer data on record. Mileage is estimated at ~288,000 mi based on average annual driving. Items marked EST. OVERDUE may already be due — verify service history with the seller. Items marked OVERDUE are confirmed past-due based on vehicle age alone.
EST. OVERDUECriticalTiming Belt
Service interval: 7 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Timing Belt immediately — already past the 90,000 mi / 7 yr interval
A snapped timing belt causes immediate, catastrophic engine damage — bent valves, destroyed pistons. No warning. Replace before the interval, not after.
EST. OVERDUECriticalTiming Chain Tensioner
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Timing Chain Tensioner immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
EST. OVERDUECriticalWater Pump
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Water Pump immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
EST. OVERDUEHighTransmission Fluid / Service
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Transmission Fluid / Service immediately — already past the 60,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
EST. OVERDUEHighDifferential / Transfer Case Fluid
Service interval: 4 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Differential / Transfer Case Fluid immediately — already past the 50,000 mi / 4 yr interval
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
EST. OVERDUEHighCoolant Flush
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Coolant Flush immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
EST. OVERDUEModerateSpark Plugs (iridium/platinum)
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Spark Plugs (iridium/platinum) immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
EST. OVERDUEModerateFuel Injectors
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 24 yr · Past due by age
Service Fuel Injectors immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.

NHTSA Safety Recalls

3 RECALLS
3found

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~64%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.

64%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

MITSUBISHI Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
80%Poor

MITSUBISHI has a below-average recall completion rate (80%). Open recalls on this vehicle may go unaddressed longer than average (~24 months). Verify completion before purchase.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~24 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
24mo
#01V254001
Mar 2001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

SummaryVEHICLE 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.
Read full details...
ConsequenceTHE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Est. Repair Completion~68%

~32% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#04V428000
Jan 2004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

SummaryCERTAIN 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.
Read full details...
ConsequenceTHIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Est. Repair Completion~56%

~44% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#04V319000
Jun 2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

SummaryON 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.
Read full details...
ConsequenceIF THE FUEL LEVELING VALVE DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY, FUEL MAY LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Est. Repair Completion~69%

~31% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

LONG-STANDING OPEN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
25.3yr open
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
22.4yr open
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
22yr open

⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.

22 yrs ago
06/07/2004
01/09/2004
3 total campaigns
BrakesFuel System
3
Part Replacements
0
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs
3 recalls are over 2 years old — statistically less likely to have been completed. Verify repair status with any dealer using your VIN.

Recall Remedy Effectiveness — Complaints Continue After Fix

RECALL DIDN'T FIX IT

Owner complaints filed AFTER recall remedies were issued for the same components

100% of complaints about "SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM" were filed AFTER recall campaign 01V254001 (2001-03-08) — the recall remedy may not have fully resolved the issue.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
100% post-recall
Recall: 2001-03-080 before · 91 after#01V254001
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
87% post-recall
Recall: 2004-06-073 before · 20 after#04V319000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
80% post-recall
Recall: 2004-01-092 before · 8 after#04V428000

Continuing complaints after a recall may indicate an inadequate fix, a new failure mode, or that many vehicles never had the recall performed. Verify recall completion status directly with NHTSA.

1 in 8

2 deaths reported across 174 complaints — a rate of 1 in 87 complaints involving a fatality.

Complaints174

Complaint Intelligence

174 complaints analyzed across 10 system categories

Brakes
6 crash2 inj79
Engine/Powertrain
1 crash1 inj26
Electrical
17
Safety Systems
13 crash13 inj16
Body/Structure
1 crash4 inj11
Steering
1 crash1 inj6
Fuel System
6
Suspension/Wheels
1 crash1 inj6
2013
14
2014
5
2015
7
2016
9
2017
6
2018
3
2019
1
2021
2
2022
2
2024
1
82% trend in recent years (improving reliability)
Declining -100%
0
Last 24 months
2
Prior 24 months
Engine stalling16
Fire/smoke8
Brake failure6
Electrical failure4
Steering loss3
Conditions Reported
Highway/high-speed (17)Parking/low-speed (6)Rain/wet (6)Cold weather (5)Startup (4)

Owner Complaints

HIGH VOLUME

174 safety complaints filed with NHTSA

174found
1
Fire
24
Crashes
2
Deaths
22
Injuries
ODI #11583242AIR BAGS

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.

ODI #11482835ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I checked and there's several recalls on the vehicle and I purchase it last year from the dealership and I never received anything about the recalls and now my vehicle doesn't want to start it lock me out.

ODI #11455457SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving down the highway, without any prior indication the brake light, and break alarm came on and my breaks went out. All at the same.

ODI #11438894EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car has 2 recalls and my local Mitsubishi dealer refused to fix the recalls.

ODI #11427619ENGINE

I have a 2002 Mitsibishi Montero Sport.I was driving home from work, and all the sudden i couldn't steer. I had no steering, Lost power to vehicle and battery light came on. Wasnt sure what happened, looked under the hood and noticed belts were off. Went and got new ones and noticed when trying to put the mew belts on the bolt on the crankshaft pulley was loose and the pin was broken making that pulley loose.I was lucky that I decided to take a street with less traffic otherwise I could of gotten into an accident.This should definitely be a RECALL.

ODI #11234612ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE

WE HAVE THE CAR FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS AND WE ALWASY HAVE A ELECTRICAL, ENGINE AND HEAD LIGHTS PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE THEY CAN FIX IT . WE PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THEM TO FIX IT

ODI #11104697SERVICE BRAKES

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?

ODI #11103604POWER TRAIN

DRIVE MODE SELECTOR WILL NOT MOVE FROM THE AWD POSITION.

ODI #11063563UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE PROBLEM WITH MY SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM IT GOES OFF FOR NO REASON AND ALSO THE HORN WHEN THE WEATHER DROPS COLD THE HORN GOING OFF CONTINUOUSLY MY MECHANIC CHANGE THE HORN RELAY MORE THAN 3 TIMES BUT THE ISSUE STILL THE SAME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THESE TWO ISSUES ARE CONNECTED OR NOT BUT I NEED HELP.

ODI #11022445STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE HOOD FLEW UP WHEN SAFETY LATCH FAILED TO HOLD IT,, PLUS BRAKE LINE TROUBLES AS WELL AS GAS TANK FILL PIPE ALL RUSTED OUT,, HOOD WAS ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 30MPH AN WRAPPED ARROUND WINDSHIELD,,

ODI #11022029SERVICE BRAKES

MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITRGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE RESULTED IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND CAN DELAY FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND SHOULD BE ON THE SAFETY RECALL LIST NO. SR-01-008REVII. HE SAID THIS BULLETIN SUPERCEDES SR-01-008REVI. HE SAID THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD REPLACE THE OLD HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR WITH THE NEW MODEL. AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MODELS PRODUCED BEFORE 6/20/01. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE MY CAR WAS PRODUCED BUT THIS IS THE PROBLEM FOR SURE. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC AND HE AGREED. THE CAR DOES NOT STOP PROPERLY AND I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.

ODI #10981628SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CHIRPING SOUND. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254002 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

ODI #10968765SERVICE BRAKES

MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED STARTED MAKING A STRANGE NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC BOOSTER FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT SHOWING A RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI ALL THEY WOULD SAY IS IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND

ODI #10960167EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOTH HEAD LIGHT BEAMS SOMETIMES DISAPPEAR WHEN SWITCHING TO HIGH BEAM WHILE DRIVING LEAVING YOU DRIVING IN THE DARK WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS.

ODI #10939248POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSFER CASE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

ODI #10928638ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CLUSTER WAS REPAIRED IN THE MONTERO BUT IT ONLY WORKS ONCE IN AWHILE. THE PANEL WILL TELL ME EVERY NOW AND THEN IF I HAVE FUEL OR NOT. ALSO, WE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE AN ISSUE RESOLVED THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE COST US ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS SHOWN HERE AS A DEFECT FOR OUR MAKE AND MODEL. OUR CAR WAS LEAKING GAS, AND MITSUBISHI REFUSED TO FIX IT, AT THEIR EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS LISTED HERE AND THERE WERE VERY MANY COMPLAINTS FILED. WE HAD TO TOW THE CAR IN BECAUSE OF THE LEAK, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. AMAZING THAT SO LITTLE CARE WAS SHOWN BY MITSUBISHI FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS WAS THE COMPLAINT AND THE RECALL (NHTSA RECALL ID 01V254001) ABOUT THE CAR BEING PARKED AT AN UPWARD SLOPE, THE FUEL TANK LEVELING VALVE NOT MAINTAINING PROPER SEALING IN THE EVEN THAT THE FUEL EXPANDS FROM THE RISE IN AMBIENT TEMP. LEAKAGE OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR, ETC. PLEASE CHECK THE RECALL NOTICE.

ODI #10918621SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING ON CENTRAL STREET IN HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL THE BRAKE LIGHT & ABS LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO AN ALARM SOUNDED. LOSS ALL BRAKES. WE WERE JUST GOING TO GO ON THE HIGHWAY 90. THIS COULD OF ENDED UP DEADLY. UPON INSPECTION BY PEP BOYS, IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAS FAILED. THE SUV CAN NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THIS PART IS REPLACED. I HAVE NEW BRAKES ON THE SUV. *TR

ODI #10908227SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

ODI #10904519SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SCREECHING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

ODI #10897626SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ABS DELAYED TO ENGAGE AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE ACCUMULATOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

ODI #10876066EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NHTSA RECALL ID: 04V319000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO 2002 (02) MITSUBISHI RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.: SR-04-009 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE RECALL DATE (Y/M):2004/07 DEFECT: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FORWARD ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, THE FUEL TANK LEVELING VALVE MAY NOT MAINTAIN PROPER SEALING IN THE EVENT THE FUEL EXPANDS FROM THE RISE IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. NHTSA RECALL ID: 01V254001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO 2002 (02) MITSUBISHI RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.: COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM RECALL DATE (Y/M):2001/08 DEFECT: 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.

ODI #10855279SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD GRINDING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEALING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

ODI #10825482STRUCTURE

I TOOK MY TRUCK FOR A FRAME INSPECTION, FRAME WAS REND ENDEARED UNSAFE AND RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. BODY & ENGINE ARE INTACT. NEW FRAME IS 10,000.00. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEIR WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEARS FRAME. HE SAID THE METAL WAS DIPPED CORRECTLY. I CAN OBTAIN A WRITTEN REPORT. I ALSO CALLED MITSUBISHI & THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSATION.

ODI #10824741ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO XLS WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED FOR THE NIGHT ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 AM, THE ALARM STARTED TO SOUND AND THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THE FIRST NIGHT, THE NEIGHBORS AND POLICE DISCOVERED IT BEFORE ME, SO THE POLICE BROKE INTO MY CAR, OPENED THE HOOD, AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. WHEN I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY THE NEXT MORNING, THE ALARM CONTINUED TO SOUND, SO I REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE HORN AND REPLACED IT LATER THAT DAY, TO BE GREETED WITH SILENCE. FOUR NIGHTS LATER, I HAD THE FUSE FOR THE HORN BACK IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS WOKEN UP AT 2:00 AM TO THE SOUND OF MY HORN BLARING. I ONCE AGAIN, HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE FOR THE HORN. THIS ISSUE HAS TURNED OUT TO BE BOTH A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND UNSAFE.

ODI #10795277AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECRASH1 DEATH2 INJURIES

TAKATA RECALL - MY LATE HUSBAND AND I WERE IN A SUV ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN MAY 4, 2006. OUR VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER SUV AND ULTIMATELY INVOLVED FOUR (4) VEHICLES TOTAL. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBAND DIED LATER FROM COMPLICATIONS INDUCED BY INTERNAL BLEEDING. POLICE REPORT FILED AND SENT TO MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESPONSE OR COMMENT. NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL AIRBAG COMPLAINTS WITH NTSB FOR MY VEHICLE TYPE WITH NO OPEN INVESTIGATIONS. MY HUSBAND'S DEATH SHOULD TRIGGER SOME TYPE OF INVESTIGATION OR CONCERN FROM BOTH NTSB AND THE MANUFACTURER.

ODI #10785008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT AT A CERTAIN ANGLE, THE HORN OF THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN MODULE RELATED TO THE AIR BAG AND A RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

ODI #10746422SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

ODI #10743812SERVICE BRAKES

THE POWER BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER POWER BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IS DEFECTIVE AS OUTLINED ION YOUR RECALL 01-V254-001. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT BERGSTROM AUTOMOTIVE APPLETON WI TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE TIME MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT AND INDICTED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART. PLEASE BE KNOWN THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE RECALL PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE NHTSA NOTIFICATION. THEY CLAIMED MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL DUE TO THE PRODUCTION DATE OF MY VEHICLE BUT I DID NOT CARE WE JUST NEEDED TO GET THE CAR FIXED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE ON 7/20/15 TO HAVE THE REPAIR MADE. BERGSTROM CONFIRMED ON 7/14/15 THAT THE PARTS ARRIVED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR 7/24/15 TO FIX THE ACCUMULATOR. WE DROVE 2 HOURS TO THE BERGSTROM'S FOR THIS APPOINTMENT, WAITED 2 1/2 HOURS IN THEIR SHOW ROOM FOR THEM TO MAKE THE REPAIR, AND DROVE 2 HOURS HOME. WHEN STACY THE SERVICE CONSULTANT SPOKE WITH US SHE PROCEEDED TO GLAZE OVER THE ACCUMULATOR AND PROCEEDED TO DISCUS THE HEADLIGHT REPAIR WHICH I NEVER REQUESTED. THEY NEVER FIXED THE ACCUMULATOR BUT PROCEEDED TO FIX THE HEAD LIGHT ADJUSTER INSTEAD. I WASTED 6 1/2 HOURS AND THE MASTER CYLINDER ACCUMULATOR HAS NOT FIXED. TO SUM IT UP: REPAIR NOT MADE, SAID IT WAS COVERED THEN NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS. 6 1/2 HOURS WASTED.

ODI #10717110SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK HARD, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V254001: (SERVICE BRAKES); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

ODI #10715075ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT NIGHT, MY 2002 LIMITED MITSUBISHI MONTERO'S CAR ALARM WILL GO OFF AT EXACTLY 4:30 AM EACH MORNING UNTIL WE DISABLE THE ALARM WITH THE REMOTE. WE CHECKED AND NO ONE ELSE OR THING IS BUMPING OR SETTING OFF THE ALARM. *TR

ODI #10678964AIR BAGS

MY MONTERO HAVE THE TAKATA AIR BAG. THE HORN INSIDE AIR BAG NOT WORKING I ORDER A AIR BAG THE AIR BAG SPECIALIST TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A TAKATA AIR BAG AND HE WILL NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE HE SAY IS PART OF A NATIONAL RECALL OF TAKATA AIR BAG. SO I'M DRIVING W/O THE HORN .CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY I CALL MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAY NO RECALL. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO. [XXX] E MAIL [XXX] PH [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

ODI #10653550ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

AGING OF THE COSMETIC VINYL COVERING ON STEERING WHEEL THAT COVERS AIR BAG MODULE WILL CONTRACT TOO MUCH IN COLD WEATHER, APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES F OR LOWER CAUSING CAR HORN TO GO OFF EVEN WITHOUT ENGINE RUNNING. THE VINYL COVERING SQUEEZES THE CAR HORN CONTACTS THAT ARE JUST UNDER THE COVER AND ON TOP OF AIR BAG MODULE. *TR

ODI #10651571STRUCTURE

FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE ROT/RUST. WAS TOLD BY ONE SHOP ABOUT IN 2013 THAT I HAD ALOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME WHEN THEY REPLACED MY RUSTED BRAKE LINES.. THIS WEEK IN OCTOBER 2014 I HAD TO REPLACE A RUSTY FILL PIPE FOR MY GAS AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAD MAJOR RUST ON THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE AND THAT A REAR END COLLISION OF ANY KIND COULD POTENTIALLY TOTAL MY CAR. *TR

ODI #10638415SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HOOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

ODI #10594583SERVICE BRAKES

ABS YELLOW LIGHT FLASHING AND NOT POWER BRAKE. *TR

ODI #10572507STRUCTURE

BROUGHT 2002 MONTERO SPORT FOR INSPECTION INSPECTOR TOLD ME THE REAR FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE WAS ROTTEN VEHICLE WAS NOT TO BE DRIVEN. WHAT DO I DO WITH VEHICLE NOW THAT I JUST PAID IT OFF AND I CANT DRIVE? *TR

ODI #10556927ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT; THE CAR HORN/ALARM GOES OFF USUALLY WHEN A DROP OF TEMPERATURE OCCURS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. TO FIX ... HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL OF THE AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. VERY EXPENSIVE FOR A MECHANIC, OVER $1200. I HAVE TO UNHOOK MY BATTERY EVERY NIGHT AND ON COLDER DAYS. RESEARCHING ONLINE.....A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DISABLING THE HORN/ALARM SYSTEM AND DRIVING WITHOUT HORNS. OR THEY ARE TAMPERING WITH THE AIR BAG TO TRY AND FIX. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM....... TODAY I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE EVERY TIME I HOOKED THE BATTERY CABLE BACK UP THE HORN STAYED ON. I AM CONSIDERING DISABLING THE HORN ALTOGETHER. *TR

ODI #10554169SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING TRUCK WHEN I FIRST HEAR NOISE WHEN I WAS I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES A WEEK AND A HALF EARLIER. I TOOK TO REPAIRS SHOP AND TOLD THEM I WAS HEARING BEEPING NOISE, THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW BRAKES , WHICH THEY DID, AND THEY WOULD RESET THE COMPUTER AND I WOULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE THAT DAY OR IN A VIEW DAYS. THEN I FOUND OUT I DID NOT NEED THE BRAKES RIGHT A THAT TIME, ONLY ONE SHOE PAD WAS A LITTLE WORE. I TOOK IT BACK AND THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THEY WOULD TRY TO GET PARTS FROM FRIENDS THAT WORK AT THE DEALER AND WOULD CALL ME BACK, HE DID NOT. TOOK IT TO PEP BOYS TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHICH I DID BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS AND IT WAS THE ONLY ONE COULD DO IT, BECAUSE I TOLD THEM I WAS HEARING BEEPING NOISE ON LEFT SIDE OF TRUCK. CALLED THE DEALER AND TOOK TO THEM AND THEY SAID THEM THE SAME THING, NEED NEW BRAKING SYSTEM. ASK IF THERE WAS A RECALL THEY SAID NO. CHARGED $2200.00. *TR

ODI #10549212SERVICE BRAKES

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN APRIL THEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO START SLOWING DOWN THE BRAKES LOCKED ON THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED TO FIX THEM AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THEM I FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALERS REFUSE TO FIX IT. WHAT SHOULD I DO AND WHAT ARE THE LAWS ON RECALLS. *TR

ODI #10547098SERVICE BRAKES

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR 2013, 2 MONTHS LATER I STARTED TO HEAR A CHIRPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE FROM THE LEFT SIDE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THEN 3 WEEKS LATER AS I EXITED THE RAMP TO GO HOME AND STEPPED ON THE PEDAL TO BRAKE THE FOUR WHEELS LOCKED ON ME CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER GOING ON THE RAMP FOR APROX 50 MPH . TWO CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASHED IN TO ME LUCKILY AVOIDED ME OF COURSE THEY WERE UPSET BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I HAD INTENTIONALLY DID IT. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME AND HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO REPAIR IT AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM STILL DOES NOT WORK. IT STILL MAKES THAT SAME NOISE AND LOCKS UP. I HAVE NOT USED THE VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON HOW I COULD FIX THE PROBLEM I CAME TO FIND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE READ THE LAWS AND INFO ON THE WEBSITE AND CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES SO THEY CAN FIX THIS MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND THE MITSUBISHI CORP OFFICE AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE ISSUE ON MY TRUCK WHEN THEY CHECKED THE MODRL NUMBER AND THE CORP OFFICES TOLD ME THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAD AND THEN THAT THEY DID NOT. IF THEY DID THEN IT WOULD BE A LEMON. I THINK THE DEALER SOLD ME THE TRUCK KNOWING ABOUT THE ISSUE. MY QUESTION IS WHAT CAN I DO AND WERE CAN I GET HELP. *TR

ODI #10537323VISIBILITYCRASH

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR CHANGES AUTOMATICALLY TO NIGHT VISION YOU CAN NOT CHANGE IT BACK. IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE CARS BEHIND YOU WITH THE WAY IT CHANGES AND HOW CLOSE THEY ARE TO YOU. MY DAUGHTER BACKED INTO SOMEONE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT TELL THEY WERE BEHIND HER. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ALSO. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE MIRROR YOURSELF. AND YOU CAN'T. *TR

ODI #10536190POWER TRAIN

I WAS GOING TO START DRIVING A VERY INCLINED HILL APROX. 45 DEGREES, I STOPPED THE CAR, CHANGED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO 3 GEAR, WHEN I GET TO THE TOP OF THE HILL I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION BACK TO D GEAR, BUT I NOTICED SOMETHING WEIRD WITH THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION WAS RESPONDING BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, SO I KEPT DRIVING ALMOST 100 METERS MORE AND STOPPED THE CAR TO TAKE SOME PICTURES. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR I KNEW SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, SO I PULLED THE SAFETY BRAKES REALLY HARD BECAUSE THE CAR WAS ALREADY GOING DOWN THE HILL AND I DIDN'T WANT TO FORCE THE TRANSMISSION TO DO ALL THE BRAKE. MY SON WAS ON THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR SLEEPING WITH THE SAFETY BELT ON, AND SINCE I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT WITH THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE GETTING OFF THE CAR I PULLED EVEN MORE THE SAFETY BRAKE AND GET OFF THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF PICTURES. WHEN I WAS GOING TO START THE CAR IT DIDN'T START BECAUSE THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE TRANSMISSION LEVEL TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT OF THE ROD BECAUSE THERE IS A PLASTIC BUSHING HOLDING THE CABLE WITHIN THE LEVEL ROD THAT WAS BROKEN, IN OTHER WORDS THE ONLY THING PREVENTING THE CAR FROM GOING DOWN HILL WITH MY SON INSIDE WAS THE SAFETY BRAKE, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SET TO 3 GEAR INSTEAD OF PARKING. THERE WAS A LONG WAY DOWN HILL SO MY SON COULD BE DEATH IF MY WIFE WERE DRIVING BECAUSE MAYBE SHE WOULDN'T REALIZE THAT SOMETHING WRONG WAS HAPPENING WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PULL THE SAFETY BRAKES THE WAY I DID IT. THE ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND IT CAN BE FIXED PRETTY EASY WITH A PLASTIC BUSHING. I HAVE PICTURES THAT I CAN PROVIDE IF NEEDED TO CLARIFY THE ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO AVOID PEOPLE FROM GETTING HURT. *TR

ODI #10535546SERVICE BRAKESFIRE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD AS SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS VIBRATING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

ODI #10513370SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

ODI #10513021SERVICE BRAKES

FAILURE IN BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR CAUSING NOISES WHEN STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN AND AFTER STOP. MILES PER HOUR VARIES FROM FULL STOP TO 45 MPH. TWO OTHER 2002 MITSUBISHI MODELS HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE MONTERO LIMITED. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO REMEDY AND CONTRARY TO THE INVESTIGATION THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OLDER. *TR

ODI #10511130STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTING AND THERE WERE TWENTY TWO INCH-LONG FRACTURES FOUND IN THE FRAME. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

ODI #10510149STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND NOTICE MY TRUCK HAD DIED WHILE SLOWING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT A LIGHT..NOTICED THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON...I RESTARTED THE CAR THEN TRIED TO MAKE A QUICK LEFT ON MY STREET AND COULDN'T STEER MY CAR...I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL...HAD TO MAKE A HARD TURN BECAUSE ON COMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING AND I COULDN'T SPEED UP OR REALLY BRAKE...LUCKILY I MADE THE TURN COASTED A BIT HEARD A LOUD CLACKING UNDER MY HOOD COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD WHERE I WOULDN'T BE IN MIDDLE OF ROAD...I LOST ALL POWER STEERING...TRIED TO CRANK IT WOULDN'T START...LOOKED UP UNDER HOOD DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING...CALLED MY STEPDAD AND MOM WE TRIED TO GIVE IT A BOOST WITH CABLES DIDN'T WORK...SO LOOKED UNDER THE CAR WHERE THE TRAP IS NOTICED A FAIRLY LARGE BOLT SHEARED IN HALF AND WHAT I FOUND OUT LATER TO BE THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND BELT TO IT...PULLED ALL THIS OUT FROM ATOP HOOD...HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD BROKE AND PART OF IT WAS STILL IN THE CRANKSHAFT SAID PRAY I CAN GET THIS BOLT OUT IF NOT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE MOTOR... *TR

ODI #10509412SERVICE BRAKES

THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DASH. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS FAILING. ON A CALL TO MITSUBISHI THEY INFORMED ME THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED 9 MONTHS AGO AND WOULD NOT MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO COVER ANY OF THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART AND MITSUBISHI FAILS TO HAVE ANY CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMER'S SAFETY. *TR

ODI #10507149STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

ODI #10492020SERVICE BRAKESCRASH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES FAILING TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED IN EITHER CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ABS MODULE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

ODI #10472369SERVICE BRAKESCRASH

LOUD NOISE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD CHIRPING AND VIBRATING . WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES IT WAS LIKE U HAD NO BRAKES I APPLIED IT AGAIN N THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM DASH BOARD I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER HITTING THE SIDE RAIL OF THE FREEWAY . AT THE MOMENT THE ABS LIGHTS CAME IN TURN THE CAR OFF ONCE WE TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE WORKING JUST FINE BUT KNOW I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE IT THIS IS THE 5 TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE. I TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP CLOSE TO MY HOME THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BOOSTER ACCUMULATION SYSTEM DEFAULT I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND NO ONE HAD HELPED ME.. I HAVE A CAR THAT HAS A DEFAULT NOT FROM WEAR N TEAR. BUT A MISTAKE FROM MITSUBISHI I COULD HAVE KILLED MY SELF OR FOR THAT MATTER SOME ONE ELSE PLEASE HELP ME FIND A RESOLUTION... *TR

ODI #10427554SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY MONTERO WAS MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE. I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND TWO DEALERDS AT SAN ANTONIO TEXAS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME MY VIN DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY RECALLS AT THE TIME. LATER AFTER THE SYSTEM FAILING I CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON THE WWW AND FOUND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR WAS THE ONE LEAKING NITROGEN GAS A CAUSING THE FAULT AND THE NOISE. I CALLED MITSUBISHI AGAIN WITH INFO BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE EVENTHOUGH IT WAS SHOWING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A BAD HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR MY VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST. SO THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HONOR THE SAFETY RECALL FOR MY MITSIBISHI MONTERO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

ODI #10421099ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE HORN SOUNDS FOR NO REASON, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 55DEGREES. I MUST REMOVE THE FUSE TO SILENCE IT. IT IS STATE REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT. I CONTACTED THE LANCASTER, PA MITSUBISHI DEALER BUT THEY WON'T REPLY. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN THE WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 18 DEGREES. IT IS 8 MONTHS LATER AND A COLD AUGUST NIGHT TRIGGERED IT. *TR

ODI #10416951SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD VIBRATE AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,030.

ODI #10398763ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2000 MONTERO CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON CONTINUOUSLY STEPS TAKEN, REPLACED PLUGS,WIRES, COILS, TIMING BELT, IDLER PULLEY, THERMOSTAT, ENGINE HEAT INDICATOR RISES TO HOT THAN BACK TO NORMAL, ENGINE RUN'S SLUGGISH, NO POWER, SHIFTING IS DELAYED WHEN ON AN INCLINE AND HEAR A MUFFLED BACK FIRE ON OCCASION NO POWER. THIS SUV HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. NOT A GOOD BUY FOR SURE. *TR

ODI #10390466ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INACCURATELY DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HOT ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE DID NOT OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAN CLUTCH AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.

ODI #10383078SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR WAS REPAIRED DUE TO THE RECALL OF THE PART. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE ACCUMULATOR WAS RECALLED BECAUSE IT CAN RESULT IN A LEAK OF NITROGEN GAS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR. A COUPLE DAYS AGO ON MY WAY TO WORK MY BRAKES FAILED ME ONCE AGAIN AS I WAS IN A SCHOOL ZONE FULL OF CHILDREN AND APPROACHING TRAIN TRACKS THIS TIME IT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE A GAS LEAK IN MY POWER BOOSTER WHICH OCCURRED FROM THE ACCUMULATOR WHICH WAS THE PART THAT WAS RECALLED BY MITSUBISHI. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI TO BE TOLD THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPAIRED BY THEM EVEN THOUGH I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF OR SOMEONE'S CHILD. KNOWING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WILL OCCUR WITH A DIFFERENT PART IN RESULTS OF THE PART THAT WAS RECALLED MITSUBISHI SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM NOT JUST THE ACCUMULATOR COULD HAVE STILL HAPPENED,AND DEATH COULD HAVE STILL HAPPENED. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MY WHOLE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM AND THE SYSTEM ITSELF COST $1500 DOLLARS NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY LIKE THAT TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOT WEAR AND TARE OF THE VEHICLE BUT WAS CAUSED BY THEIR FAILURE ABS SYSTEM. NOTHING HAVE BEEN DONE TO REPAIR MY TRUCK. *TR

ODI #10374148SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OUT OF MY DASHBOARD. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT.

ODI #10368103AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED IT AND PUSHED IT INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,785.

ODI #10357774SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING FUEL PRESSURE ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL, INDESCRIBABLE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.

ODI #10349049FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK WHILE SHE WAS ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE FUEL STORAGE TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V319000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,037.

ODI #10327616AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND HIT A CAR IN IT'S SIDE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLED ON IT'S LEFT SIDE AFTER IMPACT. I WAS THE ONLY FRONT PASSENGER. MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY HEAD ENDED UP HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

ODI #10325910SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL TIMES TO TAKE MY CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED AND/OR REPLACED. I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT LX THAT HAVE GIVEN ME DISCOMFORT WHEN HAVING TO STOP WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED ABOVE 45 MPH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE NUMBER OF TIME I HAVE REPLACE MY BRAKES ARE NOT NORMAL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD TO DO A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHAUL WHICH CAUSED ME TO GET 2ND AND 3RD OPINIONS WHICH IS COSTLY AS WELL. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE CHECKED ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR FOR ISSUES RELATED TO AND NOT RELATED TO CRASHES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS. *TR

ODI #10321902SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I ALSO OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LTD. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR 6 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES 6 TIMES. I DRIVE UP AND DOWN THE SOUTHERN CA MOUNTAINS, AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SAME SHAKING A SHIMMING AS I HAVE HEARD OTHER OWNERS EXPRESS. THE BRAKES CONTINUALLY WEAR WITH BLACK "DUST" AROUND THE WHEELS, AND MAKE THE GRINDING AND GROANING SOUNDS AS WELL. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, BUT HOWEVER, AM REALIZING THAT IT HAS BECOME A REAL ISSUE, AND CONTINUES TO COST UPWARDS OF $600 EACH TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. ANY ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE BRAKES WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

ODI #10314375VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN IT WAS RAINING AND THE WIPERS WERE ON, THE LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER EXTENDED OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD BUT IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WIPER MOTOR. HE NOTICED THAT THE WIPER WAS ALSO SLIGHTLY DETACHED FROM THE METAL MOUNTING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,8069 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,8085.

ODI #10313426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LTD. THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED ON A REGULAR BASIS DUE TO A FAULTY SYSTEM. THE ROTORS WEAR DOWN EVERY TIME AND MUST BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AUTOS FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI'S BRAKES YET THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT MY AUTO IS NOT ONE OF THEM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS AUTO AND IT IS BEING STORED SINCE THE LAST BRAKE REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE LOUD GRINDING AND GROANING THE BRAKES MAKE. THE BRAKES ALSO SEAM TO SHUTTER AND CAUSE THE AUTO TO VIBRATE WHEN I TRY TO STOP. THIS AUTO WAS USED FOR TRAVEL TO AND FROM IL.TO MI. ON WEEK ENDS A TOTAL TRIP OF 132 MILES EACH WAY. THERE ARE ONLY 47,000 MILES ON THIS AUTO AND I HAVE HAD THREE COMPLETE BRAKE REPLACEMENTS SO FAR. PLEASE HELP ME, I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE TO NO AVAIL. I AM RETIRED AND CANNOT AFFORD THE CONSTANT COST TO MAINTAIN THIS FAULTY PRODUCT. *TR

ODI #10312616ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HORN BUTTON WHEN THE ACCESSORY SOCKET IS IN USE OR NOT IN USE,THE HORN CONTINUES TO BLOW WHEN THE BUTTON IS RELEASED. THEREFORE THE FUSE TO THE HORN MUST BE DISCONNECTED AT ALL TIMES. I HAD IT PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IN ORDER TO HAVE THIS FIXED IT WILL COST $1300 BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG. IF IT WERE THE RELAY SWITCH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN $24. THIS IS NOT FROM WHAT I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT CONSUMERS MUST PAY FOR. I LIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION DONE EVERY YEAR AND THE FIRST THING THAT'S CHECKED IS THE HORN. HOW CAN SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE OPERABLE THAT'S OUT OF THE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR NOT BE A RECALL? THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2007 AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE ON THIS MATTER. EVERY YEAR I'VE BEEN SKATING BY CROSSING MY FINGERS AND HOPE THAT THE HORN WILL NOT SOUND OFF. HERE RECENTLY I CAN'T PUT THE FUSE IN AT ALL WITHOUT THE HORN CONTINUALLY SOUNDING OFF. IT SOUND LIKE SOMEONE IS JUST SITTING IN MY CAR HOLDING THEIR HAND DOWN ON THE HORN... THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2007 PRIMARILY WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE TO NOW 2010. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES IN THIS TIME FRAME WHERE I COULD HAVE USED THE HORN TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM ALMOST HITTING ME. *TR

ODI #10268701POWER TRAIN

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MAKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN TRUCK WAS GOING SLOWLY. DESPITE ONLY 90,000 MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $4188. NO LIGHTS WERE ON, CAR DROVE WITHOUT INDICATION, ALL REQUIRED SERVICES WERE PERFORMED. *TR

ODI #10265392ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

CAR STALLED DUE TO DRINK (WHICH WAS IN DRINK HOLDER) SPILLING ACROSS SHIFT AREA DURING SUDDEN BRAKING - APPARENTLY LIQUID SHORTED OUT WIRING AND CAR WOULDN'T DRIVE AGAIN UNTIL IT DRIED OUT - IF THESE TWO ITEMS MUST BE CLOSE TOGETHER THEN THE GEAR/SHIFT AREA SHOULD BE WATER TIGHT/PROOF - FOR SURE THIS COULD CAUSE DAMAGE/CRASH/DEATH/INJURY. *TR

ODI #10261966SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO HAS A HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR ISSUE. IT RESULTS IN A CHIRPING NOISE IN THE DASH AREA AND REALLY FIRM BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED. MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, THEY SENT A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO COVER THE ISSUE BUT MY CAR IS OUT OF THE 10 YEAR/150,000 MILE WARRANTY THEY EXTENDED. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM THAT THE OTHER CARS HAVE. I FOUND THAT IN MY RESEARCH, THAT MITSUBISHI HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE FOR CARS MADE IN THE MANUFACTURED BEFORE JUNE 20, 2001. MY CAR WAS MADE ON APRIL 5, 2002 AND IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. INSTEAD OF THEM DOING A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, THEY CHOSE TO DO A WARRANTY EXTENSION. IT IS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL BUT THEY WILL NOT RECALL IT. *TR

ODI #10259583EQUIPMENT

ANTENNA RAISING MOTOR BROKE AND NOW WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON OR OFF, IT MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE AS IT ATTEMPTS TO RETRACT/EXTEND THE ANTENNA. PAID TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP. *TR

ODI #10253184FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I STARTED TO SMELL GAS WHEN NEAR THE MONTERO. I THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A VALVE SEALING BUT IT GOT WORSE, AND I STARTED NOTICING A GAS PUDDLE UNDER THE MONTERO. I REMOVED THE PLASTIC SHIELD FROM AROUND THE TANK AND FOUND AN AREA ABOUT 9" X 7" HAD SURFACE RUST ON IT AND THE LEAK IS FROM THIS. THE PLASTIC SHIELD TRAPS DIRT AND MOISTURE IN THIS LOCATION AND CAUSED THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

ODI #10244097SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT FOUND NO FAILURES. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH ANOTHER DEALER FOR REPAIR SERVICE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

ODI #10239795SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ON AUGUST 13TH I NOTICED A CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT DASH AREA AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. ON AUGUST 25TH, OUR MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. HE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR MITSUBISIHI TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND BE PROVIDED FREE RENTAL CAR AND THAT IT WAS FULLY COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. ON AUGUST 26TH, WE WERE TOLD OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, THAT OUR CAR WAS MADE 5 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT CORRECTED, BECAUSE I HAVE THE EXACT RECALL ISSUE AND FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA WITH VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR VIN #'S AND THE SAME ISSUE. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TOO CLOSE TO THE RECALL DATE TO RULE OUT THAT MY VEHICLE ALSO HAS A FAULTY ABS ACCUMULATOR BOOSTER. MITSUBISHI SHOULD ALSO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR TELLING US THAT OUR VEHICLE DID FALL UNDER THE RECALL. WE TOOK WORK OFF TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MITSUBISHI AND THEN THEY WENT BACK ON THEIR VERBAL GUARANTEE TO FIX THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR. IT IS OBVIOUS FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS AND TALKING TO OTHER VEHICLE SERVICERS THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS RECALL. I HAVE AN UNDRIVEABLE VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT MITSUBISHI'S EXPENSE. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND ALREADY HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME, I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY EACH MECHANIC THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL, I HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN DRIVING A FAULTY AND UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR FAULTY PART AND FOR THEIR VERBAL PROMISE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *TR

ODI #10239122AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

I WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO AND WE WERE HIT HEAD ON DOING 40+ ON THE HIGHWAY. NEITHER FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I FRACTURED MY HUMOROUS REQUIRING SURGERY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF HARDWARE TO MEND THE BONE. *TR

ODI #10239015SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR A LOUD CHIRPING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V027000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR AT THE COST OF OVER $600. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000.

ODI #10236338SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DEFECTIVE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR # SR-01-008REVII. MITSUBUSHI DEALER DON'T OPEN RECALL FOR MY 2002 MONTERO. *TR

ODI #10224527SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE CAR EVERYTIME I STEP ON THE BRAKES AND ITS TAKING LONGER TO STOP ITS A MITSUBISHI MONTERO 2002 LIMITED. *TR

ODI #10224533SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ONCE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAD A SMALL LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,200. UPDATED 05/05/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS A RESULT IN A LEAKAGE FROM THE PRESSURIZED GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. UPDATED

ODI #10220864ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED THROUGH TOWN WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE, THE LOUDEST NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. YOU COULD HEAR THE NOISE FROM BLOCKS DOWN THE ROAD. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT STATES, "SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A DIESELING-TYPE NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE IS IDLING. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE PISTON PINS CONTACTING THE CYLINDERS. INSPECT THE CYLINDERS WALLS FOR EVIDENCE OF SCUFFING." IF THIS IS THE CASE, I'M LOOKING AT A NEW ENGINE OF UPWARDS OF $5,000 - PLUS THE COST OF TOWING IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER A FIVE HOUR ONE-WAY DRIVE FROM WHERE I LIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 59,500. IT ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES NOW. I FEEL LIKE I WAS SOLD A LEMON! THE CAR IS INOPERABLE RIGHT NOW. I STILL OWE $13,000 ON IT. I'M SO SCREWED!!! *TR

ODI #10214454ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OUR 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO ENGINE BLEW UP WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY (RT. 680(N)). THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THAT DAY (THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT HAD NEVER LIT UP). AT THE TIME THIS INSTANCE OCCURRED, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AS IT WENT UP IN SMOKE, ESSENTIALLY ENDANGERING HER LIFE ALONG WITH THE SURROUNDING MOTORISTS, SHOULD THIS REALLY HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. *TR

ODI #10214082ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CRANSKHAFT BOLT SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON ICY ROADS. THE INCIDENT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, HARMONIC BALANCER, AND TIMING BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SHEARED BOLT WAS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IDENTIFIED SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING RECALLS ON DIFFERENT MITSUBISHI MODELS AND THE SAME MODEL BUT WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT ES. *TR

ODI #10212380AIR BAGSCRASH1 DEATH2 INJURIES

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN A SUV ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN MAY 4, 2006. OUR VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER SUV AND ULTIMATELY INVOLVED FOUR (4) VEHICLES TOTAL. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBAND DIED LATER FROM COMPLICATIONS INDUCED BY INTERNAL BLEEDING. *TR

ODI #10211594SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A METAL SOUND. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC BOOST ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000. UPDATED 03/06/08. *LJ

ODI #10209553ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. DURING AN OIL CHANGE, FIRESTONE FOUND A LEAK IN THE GASKET AND VALVE. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THE FLOW ENGINE VALVE CAUSED THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

ODI #10202910AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND SHE LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. HIS WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER ARM, FACE, AND CHEST. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

ODI #10201346SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS A 20 SECOND DELAY IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. HE ALSO NOTICED BUBBLES IN THE BRAKE FLUID COMPARTMENT AND A LEAK IN THE ACCUMULATOR BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB UPDATED

ODI #10199672SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE ACCUMULATOR FAILED AT 65,000 MILES. I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH BOARD AND STOPPED AT MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME I SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS A RECALL, NHTSA ID 01V254001. AFTER CALLING MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER I FOUND OUT THAT MY ACCUMULATOR FAILURE DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. THE RECALL DATES WERE FOR BUILD DATES OF JUNE 2001 AND EARLIER, (12/1999). ACCORDING TO THE LABEL ON MY VEHICLE, IT WAS BUILT IN JULY OF 2001. I BELIEVE IT IS POSSIBLE SOME OF THE DEFECTIVE ACCUMULATORS WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED AT A LATER DATE. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL FAILURE. *JB

ODI #10198901SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2002 MITSIBUSHI MONTERO LIMITED. *JB

ODI #10196098ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT IS DRIVING 40 MPH. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE, FAILURE MILEAGE, AND A VALID VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000.

ODI #10195599SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND CAN ALSO BE HEARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE ACCUMULATOR, WHICH IS PART OF THE ABS, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 01V254001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) IS RELATED TO HIS FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

ODI #10193583SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW ABS SYSTEM. THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH FOR THE TRANSMISSION WERE ALL REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

ODI #10187246STEERING

I HAVE TAKEN THE MITSUBISHI A NUMBER OF TIMES TO DEALER FOR TWO DIFFERENT PROBLEMS CONCERNING STEERING. CONCORD MITSUBISHI KEPT TELLING US THAT THE PROBLEMS WERE EITHER FIXED OR IT WAS NORMAL, BUT THE PROBLEMS RECURRED. *AK

ODI #10183354SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT

MY MITSUBISHI MONTERO 2002 IS MAKING THE SAME SOUNDS AS THE LISTING BELOW FROM WHICH A RECALL WAS ORDERED. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE ONES BEING RECALLED. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT EVEN IF THE SUV IS THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. THE RECALL STATES THAT IT CAN CAUSE A CRASH AND IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE. MITSUBISHI MONTERO 2002 (02) MITSUBISHI RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.: COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM RECALL DATE (Y/M):2001/08 DEFECT: 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. CONSEQUENCE: THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACCUMULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. *NM

ODI #10182309AIR BAGSCRASH2 INJURIES

MY FAMILY AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A FOUR-CAR PILE UP. WE REAR-ENDED A 4RUNNER AT 45 MPH AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. HUSBAND HAS SEVERE BACK TROUBLE AND I SUFFER NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN. *NM

ODI #10181825ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DURING COLD WEATHER (APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES C AND BELOW) THE HORN STARTS BLOWING AND WON'T TURN OFF UNLESS THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED OR THE CAR INTERIOR HAS WARMED UP. THE ONLY WAY I HAVE TO PREVENT THE HORN FROM COMING ON IS TO KEEP THE HORN/AIR/BAG ASSEMBLY WARM. I WRAP AN ELECTRIC BLANKET AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL. *JB

ODI #10181586SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO DEVELOPED NOISE UNDER THE LEFT SIDE DASH. **CC THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE ACCUMULATOR HAD FAILED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THE 2001-2002 MONTERO FOR THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DID NOT FALL IN THE RECALL RANGE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE IT EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE. *NM

ODI #10178045SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO . WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE EACH TIME THIS OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED. SHE THEN TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL , BUT ONLY UNDER A SAFETY BULLETIN. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 2/9/2007 - *NM

ODI #10176137AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED TO THE BACK AND NECK. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

ODI #10173997SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH TROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD, A NOISE WAS NOTICED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE NOISE BECAME MORE FREQUENT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. NO WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS INDICATED IN THE NHTSA RECALL # 01V254001; BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO PROVIDED THE SAME ANSWER. THE CONTACT EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PRESENTED THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THOSE VEHICLE COVERED BY THE EXISTING RECALL.

ODI #10174013SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

RETAINING BOLTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FELL OUT. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE CALIPER ROTATED AND STRUCK THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL CRACKED, CAUSING THE FRONT TIRE TO GO FLAT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER RETAINING HARDWARE HAS FAILED ON THIS CALIPER. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE. *NM

ODI #10170724EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

ODI #10170413AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCRASH1 INJURY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN A THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

ODI #10165322ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAD A BAD 02 SENSOR REPLACED ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT IN JUNE 2006. A MONTH LATER ANOTHER 02 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL EXPENSE WAS $600+. *JB

ODI #10163818SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH DRIVER SIDE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEAK OF NITROGEN AND THE ACCUMULATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V254001, REGARDING THE BRAKE VACUUM. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

ODI #10160966SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER IS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE, THAT CAN BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE TRUCK, AND I KNOW THIS TYPE OF TRUCK HAD A RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO ( NHTSA # 01V254001), SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS MORNING, JUST TO BE TOLD THAT MY MONTERO WAS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST AND THAT I HAD TO PAY ABOUT $350.00 TO GET IT FIXED. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO GET IT FIXED WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY ALL THAT MONEY ? THANK YOU. *JB

ODI #10160855SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE ACCUMULATOR ON MY BRAKE BOOSTER IS GOING BAD. THERE IS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL BY THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER TO HAVE THE ACCUMULATOR REPLACED SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL (01V254001) ON THIS PART FOR MY VEHICLE (2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO) PRODUCED BEFORE JUNE 20,2001. MY VEHICLE'S VIN# IS [XXX] AND IT IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JUNE 20,2001. SO AS IT STANDS I HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS A RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART ON THAT SPECIFIC VEHICLE FOR THAT SPECIFIC YEAR AND IT HAPPENS TO NOT BE A RECALL. THIS SITUATION DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #10160458SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN INTERMITTENT SQUEAKING SOUND. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER WAS ALSO CONSULTED, WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BOOSTER WAS FAULTY, HOWEVER THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 01V254001. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *NM

ODI #10159951SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON NORMAL ROADS WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V254001, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST VACUUM. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

ODI #10159689SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THIS IS CONCERNING A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE HEADED DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. MY WIFE STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKES AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, BUT, NOT BEFORE THE FRONT END WAS ALREADY OUT IN THE ROAD. HAD THERE BEEN A CAR COMING, IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ06007 AND RECALL NUMBER 01V-254 EXPLAIN THE EXACT SYMPTOMS THAT MY CAR HAS; ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN I LEFT IN THE CAR THE NEXT DAY, I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO STOP. MITSIBUSHI MOTORS, AND THE DEALER, TELL ME MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. WHY? IT HAS THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *NM

ODI #10155605SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I STARTED MY TRUCK, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND NO BRAKES--JUST A DEAD PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE--WITH ONLY INCHES TO SPARE BEFORE ROLLING THROUGH MY GARAGE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP--THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ACCUMULATOR. I CHECKED ON THIS WEBSITE TO SEE IF THEIR WERE ANY RECALLS--AND FOUND ONE (01V254001) THAT DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM EXACTLY. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY, AND REFERRED ME TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS EQUALLY HELPFUL. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS TO THE NHTSA IN CASE OTHER VEHICLES IN THE RECALL YEAR THAT AREN'T INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL ARE NOTIFIED THAT THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM. I FEEL REALLY LUCKY THAT MY KIDS (AGES 3 1/2 AND 6 MONTHS) WEREN'T IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AND THAT NOBODY WAS HURT. *JB

ODI #10154106SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING MITSUBISHI MONTERO BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. *TS THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN 2003, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PART WOULD NOT BE REPLACED AS A RECALL, THEREFORE THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES. *JB

ODI #10149591SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1) I SUDDENLY BEGAN HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE METAL SQUEAKING AGAINST METAL UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HOOD WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKE. 2) WHEN BRAKING UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, I CAN TELL NO DIFFERENCE. HOWEVER, WHEN BRAKING UNDER WET, SLICK CONDITIONS OR SUDDENLY, THE ANTI-LOCK FEATURE DID NOT SEEM TO WORK, AND THE BRAKES FELT AS THOUGH THEY LOCKED. 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL GARAGE THE DAY THAT I DISCOVERED THE NOISE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER, EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT A RECALL WAS IN EFFECT FOR THE SAME MODEL, BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I ASKED THAT MY VEHICLE BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER REFUSED. I HAVE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI DIRECTLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE MY TRUCK REPAIRED AS I AM NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE TO INCUR THE COST OF THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. MY TRUCK IS PARKED AT THIS TIME AS I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *JB

ODI #10148336SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WITH 43,000 MILES AND THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. JUST BACKED UP ON JANUARY 1, 2006, AND NOTICED THE LIGHT WAS ON. I LOOKED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DID WHAT IT SAID. BUT THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I TOOK IT TOOK A LOCAL TIRE AND BRAKE COMPANY, BUT THEY COULDN'T GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF. THEN, TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE OUT. THE COST OF THIS PART WAS $900. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN BEFORE. I DID, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I THINK THIS SUCKS BECAUSE IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS PART MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE IT WAS ONE THAT NO ONE COULD TELL ME THAT THEY HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING THIS IS THE ONLY MITSUBISHI PRODUCT I WILL EVER OWN.*AK

ODI #10148291SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WITH 43,000 MILE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS, JUST BACKED UP IN JAN 1, 2006 AND NOTICED THE LIGHT WAS ON. I LOOKED IN THE MANUAL ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DID WHAT IT SAID BUT THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I TOOK IT TOOK A LOCAL TIRE AND BRAKE COMPANY BUT THEY COULDN'T GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF, SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE OUT. THE COST OF THIS PART IS $900. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN BEFORE. I DID AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS UP. I THINK THIS SUCKS, BECAUSE IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS PART MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE IT IS ONE THAT NO ONE COULD TELL ME THAT THEY HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT. I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING THIS IS THE ONLY MITSUBISHI PRODUCT I WILL EVER OWN. *JB

ODI #10147008SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY ACCUMULATOR WAS BAD. SOME MONTERO'S HAD THIS UNDER RECALL, BUT THEY SAID MINE WAS NOT COVERED AND IT WILL COST ME $650 TO REPLACE IT. *NM

ODI #10142065AIR BAGSCRASH

NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER ACCIDENT EVEN AFTER VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. *NM

ODI #10139995ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HARD KNOCKING NOISE AND OIL LAMP ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED. CHECKED OIL, DIP STICK SHOWED NO OIL IN ENGINE. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED AN OIL PUMP PRESSURE TEST, DIAGNOSED WITH NO OIL PRESSURE RECOMMENDED TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS PROBLEM DUE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES, HAVE DOCUMENTS PROVING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AS RECOMMENDED. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH $4000 WORTH OF WORK NEEDED TO REPAIR SLUDGE IN ENGINE THAT IS THE RESULT OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN FAULTY MAINTENANCE. ONLY SOLUTION FROM DEALERSHIP IS TO GET A NEW VEHICLE (FROM THEM OF COURSE). *NM

ODI #10138518SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTARO . STARTED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND IN LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE, NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A GOOSE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP , WHO TOLD THE CONTACT THAT IT WOULD COST $200 TO FIX IT. ALSO, CALLED MANUFACTURER WHO SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V254000L DUE TO VIN. NO CRASHES. NO POLICE REPORTS .NO INJURIES . *AK

ODI #10135164SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONSUMER STATES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE DASH AND BRAKE PEDAL. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE BRAKING CAPABILITY. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT ON HIS VEHICLE. *JB

ODI #10092744SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCRASH

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 01V254001. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR UPON TRYING TO STOP. *AK ULTIMATELY, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL.*JB

ODI #10128547SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE WARNING AND ANTILOCK LIGHTS COME ON THE FIRST AND SEVERAL SUBSEQUENT TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED. THE BAKE PEDAL IS VERY STIFF AND HARD TO PRESS AT THIS POINT. A STRANGE NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTIFIED IN RECALL ID 01V254001 BUT MITSUBISHI STATES THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL.

ODI #10127610POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE'S 4WD WILL ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE ON IT'S OWN. WHILE IN 2WD, WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL MAKE A NOISE AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE NOISE WILL GET LOUDER UNTIL IT GIVES A HARD JOLT, LIKE IF SOMEONE REAR ENDED YOU. AT THIS POINT THE 4WD INDICATER WILL START BLINKING. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PUT INTO 4WD THEN THE VEHICLE ALMOST BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND CAUSES THE TIRES TO SQUELL AS IF YOU WERE DOING A BURN OUT. TOOK TO THE DEALER TWICE IN 2004 WITH NO LUCK. THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE OKAY FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL RECENTLY WHERE IT HAS START TO ACT UP AGAIN.

ODI #10125393VISIBILITY

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM WOULD STICK ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND THEN IT WOULD COME BACK. THIS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES, THEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM GOT STUCK OVER THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO ADJUST THE PROBLEM HE NOTICED IT WAS LOOSE FROM THE BOLT MOUNT. CONSUMER THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY TOOK THE WIPER OFF, AND FOUND THAT THE WIPER HAD TORN LOOSE OF THE SHEET METAL MOUNTING.*AK THIS FAILURE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND CAUSED COMPLETE LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *NM

ODI #10124341ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I STARTED HEARING A NOISE WHEN THE AC WAS ON. I TOOK IT INTO A SERVICE DEALER AND HE STATED MY AC COMPRESSOR WAS GOING BAD. AND THAT AT 32,500 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I AM TAKING IT TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER SAT- TO DIAGNOS THIS AND TO MAKE SURE MITSUBISHI PAYS FOR IT. WARRANTY OUT 3/2005 - BUT CAR UNDER MILES AND VERY WELL KEPT. I WAS TOLD BY 3 SERVICE DEPT'S AN AC COMPRESSOR ON A CAR WITH 32,500 MILES SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD PAY FOR IT. (2 OF THE 3 WERE MITSUBISHI DEALERS) I WANT THIS PAID FOR AND TAKEN CARE OF BY MITSUBISHI... I WAS GOING TO TRADE IN ON A NEW ONE, BUT WE'LL SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THIS TO SEE IF THEY KEEP ME AS A CUSTOMER

ODI #10121263SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

DT: THE CONSUMER HAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HER VEHICLE, THAT HER CAR IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DATE IT WAS MADE. THE CONSUMER'S CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE CARS WITH THE RECALLS. THE ABS SYSTEM IS LEAKING GAS AND IS HAVING A DELAY IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS FOR TWO DAYS.

ODI #10117884SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AN UNUSUAL SCREECHING NOISE COMES FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS AT REST, IN MOTION AND WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED.*AK

ODI #10111753SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V250001; MITSUBISHI ISSUED A BRAKE BOOSTER RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IWAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, BUT THE DASHBOARD WAS MAKING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING UP A HILL. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED. *AK

ODI #10111761SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THAT VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

ODI #10105501FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL /FUEL LEAKAGE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAK GAS ONCE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP NOW. *JB THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING GAS, WHICH CAUSED IT STALL. *SC

ODI #10106535SEAT BELTS

ONE DAY SEAT BELT LIGHT STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN SEAT BELT NOT SECURED. WORKS WHEN CAR IS STARTED, FLASHES AS NORMAL, BUT WHEN YOU UNDO THE BELT, YOU GET NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASH. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO KEPT TRUCK FOR TWO DAYS ONLY TO CALL ME BACK AND ADVISE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. CALLED MITSUBISHI WHO TELL ME THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON WHEN SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED -- WELL THANKS.. THAT'S GREAT... BUT HOW DO I GET A DEALERSHIP TO FIX SOMETHING THEY CLAIM IS NOT WRONG? I SHOWED SERVICE MANAGER MANUAL AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUAL IS WRONG. SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS THEY CALLED MITSUBISHI AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. I CALLED AGAIN TO MITSUBISHI WHO ADVISED AGAIN I AM CORRECT. *NM

ODI #10105004STRUCTURE

THE VEHICLE WAS TOP HEAVY AND HAS SPENT OUT OF CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES. *BF THE DRIVER AND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS THE CONSUMER'S SON. *SC

ODI #10103132FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

RECALL 04V319000 CONCERNING FUEL LEAKAGE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THIS RECALL HONORED BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE SPECIAL TOOL TO DO THE REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

ODI #10100930ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT A BOTTOM ENGINE NOISE, AFTER A QUICK INSPECTION THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIS MANAGER OF A SUPPOSED RAPID LEAK OF OIL, RESULTING IN DAMAGE OF PARTS. I EXPLIANED TO THE MANAGER THAT I'VE OWN THE CAR SINCE NEW AND THERE NEVER BEEN AN OIL LEAK BECAUSE IM THE ONE WHO HAVE DONE THE OIL CHANGE FOR THE PAST 2 YRS, THAT THE GREASE HE SUPPOSED IS OIL IS THE AMOROLE ACUMULATING UNDER THE CAR FROM RECENT DETAILING DONE BY MYSELF. THE MANAGER CONTACTED THE WARRANTY AND WITHOUT HEARING AN EXPLANATION OR CLOSELY INSPECTING THE CAR THE DECIDED THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED. *AK

ODI #10100549STRUCTURE

FACTORY DEFECTIVE PAINT SPOTS ON HOOD,DAMAGE TO HOOD DURING MAINTENCE BY DEALERSHIP. *AK

ODI #10101558UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RE SAFETY RECALL SR-04-008 FM MITSUBISHI FOR 2002 MONTERO, HAVING SAFETY NOTICE AUTHORIZED BY DEALERSHIP IN ROTA, SPAIN. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HER VEHICLE ANY LONGER. *SC

ODI #10089597POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING WITH VEHICLE IS AT FULL CAPACITY IT SHUTTERS. TRANSMISSION VIBRATES, AND THEN TAKE OFF, IS VERY SLUGGISH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

ODI #10087255PARKING BRAKE

AT ALL TIMES EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT IS ON EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE WORKING.*AK

ODI #10078331POWER TRAIN

SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE COMPLAINT LISTED BELOW. I BLAMED MY MECHANIC AND NEARLY SUED HIM FOR FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN MY SUV. RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THIS TO BE NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10054255 COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL DETAILS: DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS SLUDGE IN ENGINE DUE TO "LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE". WE'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL BUT BELIEVE THAT THE OIL PAN IS POSITIONED WRONG AS THE DEALERSHIPS TOLD US THAT ABOUT 1/4 INCH TO 1/2 INCH IS ALWAYS LEFT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN WHEN YOU CHANGE THE OIL, THEREFORE CREATING SLUDGE. THE OIL PUMP HAS ALSO GONE BAD ON THIS 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT, WITH 62,000 MILES. NO ONE WILL PICK UP THE BILL, EVEN THOUGH WE PAID FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE'VE ALSO PUT THREE ALTERNATORS ON IT IN ONE MONTH AND HAD THE CAM SEALS REPLACED. CAM SEALS ALSO SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THOSE CARS, ACCORDING TO ONE TECHNICIAN. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE NOVEMBER 2003. CB CAUSE: RESULT: OCCURENCES: 3INJURIES: 0 FAIL DATE: 01/02/2004DEATHS: 0 MCS CHECK DATE: 1/21/2004. *AK

ODI #10075266SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CAR EITHER FAILS TO STOP OR IS SLOW TO STOP RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR CRASHES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND TO LOCAL BRAKES SHOPS NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. *AK

ODI #10072955SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

+BRAKE PADS MUST BE CHANGED BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WEAR. MILEAGE: 17,000.IF THE TRUCK IS STOPPED, AND YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, YOU FEEL LIKE IT WOULD STALL, BUT IT KEEPS GOING.*AK

ODI #10065231EQUIPMENT

THE WHEEL JACK DID NOT FIT UNDER THE CROSS BEAM WHEN THE TIRE WAS TOTALLY FLAT. THE BASE OF THE JACK WAS VERY SMALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE JACK WAS INADEQUATE AND UNSAFE. *JB

ODI #10054255POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS SLUDGE IN ENGINE DUE TO "LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE". WE'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL BUT BELIEVE THAT THE OIL PAN IS POSITIONED WRONG AS THE DEALERSHIPS TOLD US THAT ABOUT 1/4 INCH TO 1/2 INCH IS ALWAYS LEFT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN WHEN YOU CHANGE THE OIL, THEREFORE CREATING SLUDGE. THE OIL PUMP HAS ALSO GONE BAD ON THIS 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT, WITH 62,000 MILES. NO ONE WILL PICK UP THE BILL, EVEN THOUGH WE PAID FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE'VE ALSO PUT THREE ALTERNATORS ON IT IN ONE MONTH AND HAD THE CAM SEALS REPLACED. CAM SEALS ALSO SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THOSE CARS, ACCORDING TO ONE TECHNICIAN. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE NOVEMBER 2003. CB

ODI #10052101POWER TRAIN

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE TRUCK FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DEALER SERVICED THE TRANSFER CASE BOX. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

ODI #10046283ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE LOSING POWER AND CUTTING OFF.*MR VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. VEHICLE STALLED. *TS

ODI #10041117ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I'M EXPERIENCING 'AGAIN' ENGINE VIBRATIONS WHILE AT IDLE. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTS TO GO DOWN TO 0, ENGINE VIBRATES, APPEARS THAT IT WILL STALL, AND JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME BEFORE THE NEEDLE HITS 0, THE NEEDLE RETURNS TO IDLE AND ALL IS OK. OK???? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS VEHICLE AND NEITHER DOES THE DEALER. LAST TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE (11/3/03) THEY CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, GASKET AND INLET MANIFOLD BOTH SIDES. I'M TAKING IT TO THE DEALER ON TOMORROW (THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT) AND IF THEY CAN'T FIT IT I'M GETTING A V8 FORD. *JB

ODI #10040988AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

ODI #10036722SUSPENSIONCRASH

AT ONLY 15 MILES PER HOUR, OUR MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT ROLLED OVER AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLED.*AK

ODI #10033688SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

REAR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR, PER DEALERSHIP.*AK

ODI #10026156POWER TRAIN

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED UP HILL AND NO WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WILL DECELERATE EVEN WHEN FOOT IS ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

ODI #10020126ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCRASH1 INJURY

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED. *NLM

ODI #10015165TIRES

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE DISINTEGRATED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

ODI #10010812ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE VIBRATES WHEN AT IDLE, AND ACTS AS IF IT MAY STALL, BUT DOES NOT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND DEALER SAID IDLE WAS TOO LOW. BUT A WEEK LATER, ENGINE VIBRATED AGAIN AND APPEARED IT WAS GOING TO STALL BUT DID NOT. I CALLED MITSUBISHI REPS IN CALIFORNIA, THEY CAME DOWN TO FLORIDA TO TEST MY CAR. FOR THREE DAYS THEY KEPT IT AND SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM: THEY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES AND TOLD ME TO USE PREMIUM FUEL FROM AMOCO. A WEEK LATER THE CAR VIBRATED AGAIN AND APPEARED IT WOULD STALL BUT IT DID NOT. MITSUBISHI SAID THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING VIBRATIONS BUT THEY ARE LOOKING IN TO IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN NOT FIND A SOLUTION IF THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING PROBLEM. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH MY MONTERO. WILL PROBABLY TRADE FOR BIG AMERICAN GAS GUZZLER.*JB

ODI #10010383SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCRASH2 INJURIES

THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FAILED UPON FRONTAL IMPACT. I AM A POLICE OFFICER/ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR AND I INVESTIGATED AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE DRIVER OF THE MONTERO IMPACTED THE REAR OF A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. THE IMPACT DAMAGED THE LEFT FRONT OF THE MONTERO ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM ROLLING. THE IMPACT ALSO CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE TO BREAK. THE LINE BROKE AT THE POINT WHERE THE FLEXIBLE RUBBER PART OF THE LINE CONNECTS TO THE METAL FITTING THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE INNER FENDER WELL. AFTER THE IMPACT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND THE VEHICLE THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED A UTILITY POLE. THE SECOND IMPACT WAS ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE MONTERO AND IN A SIMILAR MANNER THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE BROKE. I AM STILL INVESTIGATING, BUT IT APPEARS THE BRAKE LINES WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IF THE ATTACHMENT POINT OF THE BRAKE LINE WAS ON THE VEHICLE FRAME AND NOT ON THE INNER FENDER WELL. IT SEEMS WHEN THE FENDER WELL WAS BENT IN THE COLLISION THAT IS WHAT PUT STRESS ON THE RUBBER LINE AND CAUSED IT TO TEAR AWAY LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKING AND PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM BRINGING IT SAFELY TO REST.*JB

ODI #10005511STEERINGCRASH1 INJURY

OUR ACCIDENT OCCURED WHILE TOWING A POP UP TRAILER. WE ARE EXPERIENCED DRIVER'S AND HAVE BEEN TOWING A TRAILER FOR MORE THAN 12 YEARS. WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. WE WERE TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF HIGHWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GOOD. THERE WERE NO TIRE FAILURES ON THE CAR OR THE TRAILER. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED ROCKING AND SOON WE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE FRONT END FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS NOSE PLOWING. THE CAR SWERVED INTO THE LEFT LANE. THE FIRST IMPACT WAS TO THE TRAILER; IT BRUSHED AGAINST THE CONCRETE MEDIAN DIVIDER. THE CAR THAN PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE SECOND IMPACT WAS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END OF THE CAR THAT HIT THE METAL GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER PULLED US BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THE TRAILER AT THIS POINT JACK KNIFED AND FLIPPED ONTO IT'S ROOF PROCEEDING NORTH ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 50 FEET. THE THIRD IMPACT WAS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR OF THE CAR, AGAIN HITTING THE GUARDRAIL AS THE TRAILER PULLED THE CAR BACKWARD. WE FEEL THAT IF WE WERE NOT TOWING THE TRAILER WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER VICTIM OF A SUV ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT TIE ROD WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS TURNED OUTWARDS WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS FACING FORWARDS. MITSUBISHI HAS YET TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CAR. TO DATE THERE HAVE BEEN OVER $21,000 IN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THEY STILL HAVE OUR CAR!

ODI #10003369ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

THIS CAR HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER CANNOT RESOLVED OR FIX, IT FIRST STARTED ON NOV 15,2002 WHEN THE CAR STALLED WHEN ON IDLE. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY NOV 16,2002 AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY TOLD ME IF THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN, BRING IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. ON JANUARY 1, 2003 THE CAR STALLS AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, ON JANUARY 2,2003 I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS MISFIRE AND THEY RESET THE LIGHTS AND ADJUST THE IDLE. ON JANUARY 14,2003 THE CAR STALLS AGAIN, THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE CAR STALLS AGAIN AND I GOT ALMOST HIT AT THE FREEWAY. AND THEY REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL AND TOLD ME THEY FIX THE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER A WEEK ON JANUARY 14, 2003 THE CAR STALLS AGAIN, AND WHEN I GOT HOME A GAS IS LEAKING UNDER THE GAS TANK IT ONLY STOP LEAKING WHEN I OPEN THE THE GAS CAP. THE NEXT DAY ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER THE CAR STALLS AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY AND I GOT ALMOST GOT AN ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THE CAR JUST STOP AND HESITATE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMP IT STARTS AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER, THEY ADVICE ME TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR THE DAY AND THEY WILL CONTACT THE FACTORY TECHNICIAN REGARDING THE PROBLEM, THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO PICK UP THE CAR BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY NEED ANOTHER DAY, ON THE THIRD DAY I JUST CALLED THEM AND ASK ANY DEVELOPEMENT BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DISTRICT MANAGER IS GOING TO THE DEALER TO LOOK IN TO THE PROBLEM, AND THEY WILL GIVE ME AN ANSWER. THE NEXT DAY ON THE FOURTH DAY I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO PICK UP THE CAR AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO HOW IS MY SAFETY WITH THIS CAR WHILE I AM DRIVING IT AND STALLS ON THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND GOT AN ACCIDENT, AND WHEN WILL THEY FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM

ODI #10000656AIR BAGSCRASH

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO, IT HAS BEEN IN 2 SEVERE HEAD ON IMPACTS, ONE AT OVER 35MPH.....NEITHER TIME HAS THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI, THEY MAINTAIN THE AIRBAGS HAVE WORKED PROPERLY, HOW THEY DETERMINE THIS, I DO NOT KNOW. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

ODI #10001690TIRES

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLOWOUT. PLEASE PROVIDE THE SIZE AND DOT#. DEALER NOTIFIED. TX

ODI #10000284STEERING

A MONTH AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS CRACKED, LEAKING WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND NOW THE STEERING ISN'T WORKING IN THE MANNER IT SHOULD. THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND WHILE STOPPING YESTERDAY THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY ROLLED TO THE LEFT. THEN WHILE ON A GRAVEL ROAD THE WHEEL COMPLETELY SPUN AROUND. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING, BUT THE MITSUBISHI HEADQUARTERS SAID THERE AREN'T ANY RECALLS.

ODI #10006637STEERING

AT 25 MPH SOMETHING BROKE AND THE VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN LEFT TURN. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770767

ODI #769218TIRES1 INJURY

ON MAY 21, 2002 WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR MY TWO RIGHT BRIDGESTONE BUELER H/T D689 TIRES BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT OF THAT THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BUT IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT A BRAND NEW FRAME WAS NEEDED AS A RESULT OF THE COLLSION WITH THE GROUND. POLICE DID REPORT TO THE SCENE AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO DEBRIS IN THE ROAD TO CAUSE THE BLOW OUT. I DO HAVE THAT POLICE REPORT. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST HALF A YEAR. DT

ODI #769219TIRES

I SENT A DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT THE ODI NUMBER IS 769218. JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN'T GET IT I'LL GO OVER THE DETAILS AGAIN. ON MAY 21, 2002 MY TWO RIGHT TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AS A RESULT OF THE BLOW OUT MY CAR COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. ALSO IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A BRAND NEW FRAME WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE COLLISION WAS SO BAD. POLICE DID REPORT TO THE SCENE AND COULD FIND NO DEBRIS IN THE ROAD TO CAUSE THE BLOW OUT. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. IT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE MAY 21, 2002. THANK YOU DT

ODI #769049ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,VISIBILITY,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHICH THE DEALERSHIP, ON MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FIX, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX FAILURE. INITIALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL AT THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. NO REASON FOR THIS WAS FOUND UPON INSPECTION. THE 3RD TIME THERE WAS FUEL LEAKAGE, THERE WAS ALSO A FAILURE OF THE ENGINE IN WHICH HESITATING AND STALLING OCCURRED. THE SES LIGHT DID INITIATE. INITIALLY THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. 6 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING OCCURRED AND THE SES LIGHT DID AGAIN COME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE REAR CAMSTER AND FILTER WAS REPLACED. WE REQUESTED A MEETING WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD HE WOULD BE BACK FROM VACATION AFTER 10/1 AND WE WOULD BE CONTACTED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, THE VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF POWER AT TIMES. THIS INCLUDED SLOW RESPONSE WHEN STEPPING ON THE FUEL (TO INCLUDE FLOORING IT) WHEN TRYING TO PASS. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 10/4. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT AND STATED "COULD NOT DUPLICATE COMPLAINT". IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME APPROX. 1 WK LATER AND EVEN THOUGH FLOORING IT AT 35 MPH INITIATED A SLUGGISH RESPONSE IN WHICH THE RPM NEVER JUMPED UP BUT JUST STEADILY INCLINED AT A SLOW RATE, THE SERVICE MANAGER AGAIN SAID HE FELT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THIS LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED ONCE WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND I ALMOST GOT HIT BEFORE I COULD PULL BACK OVER AND OUT OF THE WAY. ON 10/21 THE VEHICLE AGAIN EXHIBITED PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION FROM A STOP THIS TIME STALLING. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS, I WAS STILL UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT SAT FOR 65 MINUTES WAITING FOR MITSUBISHI'S TOWING SERVICE. AT THAT TIME, MY HUSBAND CAME AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED ON THE 2ND ATTEMPT AND BLUE-BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE EXHAUST. WE DID DRIVE IT DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH ONLY TWO INSTANCES OF SOME LOSS OF POWER. PROBLEM STILL NOT CORRECTED. DT

ODI #8021587STRUCTURE2 INJURIES

WAS DRIVING 60MPH AND HAD SWERVED TO MISS A DOG WHEN THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND ROLLED OVER. THE ROOF HAD CAVED IN AND INJURED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. BOTH WERE HOSPITALIZED. THE AIR BAGS ON THE SIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY. TS

ODI #768675AIR BAGSCRASH

2 SEPERATE HEAD ON ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHCILE AND THE AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED BOTH TIMES. THIS TIME THE ABS ALSO DID NOT WORK. DT

ODI #8016729SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON ALL 4 MECHANISMS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND GRINDING SOUND. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY, AND MAY 2002. PLEASE DESCCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

ODI #8015687TIRES

BRIDGESTONE, DUELER HT-689, P265/70R16, DOT # ELLJJNM3701, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2002, MITSUBISHI, MONTERO WITH 11400 MILES. PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT AT 65-70 MPH. *AK *YH

ODI #566659AIR BAGSCRASH2 INJURIES

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT WHEN SECOND PARTY RAN RED LIGHT. VEHICLES AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSIONG INJURY TO CONSUMER AND HIS DAUGHTER. *JG

ODI #763398SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCRASH

BRAKES SYSTEM FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE

ODI #8012029SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCRASH

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, APPLIED BRAKES; HOWEVER, BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH COULD CAUSE ANOTHER ACCIDENT.*AK

ODI #8009825SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING SOUND. VEHICLE VEERED TO LEFT, AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION. DEALER REFUSED TO EXAMINE VEHICLE.*AK

ODI #8009066STRUCTURE

CONSUMER STATES BOLT SHEARED OFF OF THE CALIPER HOUSING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVEABLE, CONSUMER WAS ASKED BY THE DEALER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN BUT SHE CANNOT DRIVE, WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

ODI #8008732ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER AND UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.AK CONSUMER STATES THE 2ND OCCASION HAPPENED DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL APPROX 56 MPH. *MJ

ODI #8007564STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES WILL LOCK UP, AND THEN STEERING LOCKS UP. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE. *AK CONSUMER STATES BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED ON HIGHWAY TWO TIMES IN FIVE MONTHS. *YH

Component Failure Cascade Risk

Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures

HighABS issue detected

Loss of brake assist and ABS in emergency — can significantly extend stopping distances

Complaint & Reliability Timeline

Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red

Annual complaints and reliability score for MITSUBISHI Montero — recall years marked in red
09180501002004200220052008201120142017202020232026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Recall issued
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 174 total NHTSA complaints filed over 21 years, with the worst year being 2002 (18 complaints, including 5 crash reports).

The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 82/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.

The recall (red dashed line) followed the first complaints by 2 years — a typical response window; neither unusually fast nor a pattern of denial.

Red dots on the amber line flag 10 years (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate

Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs

$5,500
Annual Fuel
EPA estimate
$1,800
Annual Insurance
US average
$2,400
Annual Maintenance
24-yr-old vehicle avg
$0
Annual Depreciation
Current period
Estimated 5-Year Total Cost
Fuel + Insurance + Maintenance + Depreciation
$48,500

Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$68,114
~$1,135/mo over 5 yrs
$0.2/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$27,500
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$25,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$3,000
Depreciation
$5,114

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $68,114 (~$1,135/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

3 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$1,500
3 recalls over 2 years old — likely uncompleted−$1,200
Total recommended deduction−$2,700

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2002 MITSUBISHI Montero — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

HIGH
Inspect for abs issue detected — ask for repair records
Loss of brake assist and ABS in emergency — can significantly extend stopping distances
HIGH
Verify recall SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM has been repaired
Recall on record for: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE
HIGH
Verify recall EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS has been repaired
Recall on record for: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPA
HIGH
Verify recall FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE has been repaired
Recall on record for: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FACING FORWARD ON AN UPWARD SLOP
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: AIR BAGS
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: SERVICE BRAKES
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

5%
18-month
10%
2-year
Low Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 10%

5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Auction History

Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators

Searching Public Auction Records

Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JA4MW51R42J008670. Results appear automatically when found.

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$1,270–$1,620/yr
~$106–$135/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
24-year-old vehicle: −28% (lower ACV reduces comprehensive/collision cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINJA4MW51R42J008670
Model Year2002
MakeMITSUBISHI
ModelMontero
SeriesWagon Body Style
Vehicle TypeMULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors5
Drive Type4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Engine Cylinders6
Displacement (L)3.50

Manufacturer

ManufacturerMITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC)
Assembly CityNAGOYA
Assembly CountryJAPAN

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)JA4
Check Digit (Char 9)4
Model Year Code (Char 10)2
Plant Code (Char 11)J
Sequence (Chars 12–17)008670

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count3
NHTSA Complaint Count174

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

J
1
A
2
4
3
M
4
W
5
5
6
1
7
R
8
4
9
2
10
J
11
0
12
0
13
8
14
6
15
7
16
0
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
J
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
A
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
4
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
MW51R
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
4
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
2
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
J
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
008670
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Japan
From VIN position 1 (J)
Model Year Character
"2" → 2002
Unambiguous model year
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/13/2026, 2:43:38 PM.