Mitsubishi Montero Sport Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Mitsubishi Montero Sport model year (1997–2004) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Years to Avoid
0 recalls · 63 complaints
10 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Problem score: 93
0 recalls · 28 complaints
9 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Problem score: 51
0 recalls · 40 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Problem score: 48
Best Mitsubishi Montero Sport Years to Buy
1 recall · 3 complaints
Main area: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 6
0 recalls · 17 complaints
Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Problem score: 17
0 recalls · 23 complaints
Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Problem score: 25
Found the right year? Verify that specific Montero Sport with a free VIN report.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 0 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 36 | Caution |
| 2002 | 0 | 28 | 9 | 1 | 51 | Caution |
| 2001 | 0 | 40 | 4 | — | 48 | Caution |
| 2000 | 0 | 63 | 10 | 2 | 93 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 1 | 24 | — | — | 27 | Good |
| 1998 | 0 | 23 | 1 | — | 25 | Good |
| 1997 | 0 | 17 | — | — | 17 | Good |
All 8 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Shopping Guide by Era
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Montero Sport models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Montero Sport should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport if possible. It has 0 recalls, 63 owner complaints, and 2 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 93 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Montero Sport to buy?+
The 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 6. It has only 1 recall and 3 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Montero Sport has the fewest problems?+
The 2004, 1997, 1998 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Mitsubishi Montero Sport Research
Check a Specific Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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