Mitsubishi Montero Complaints (2003)

70 consumer complaints on file.

#10473099August 30, 2012
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
I JUST PICKED UP MY SON'S VEHICLE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE WHERE I HAD JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED FOR HIM. I WAS ON THE WAY TO MEET MY HUSBAND AT THE GROCERY STORE BUT NEEDED TO DROP OFF SOME LETTERS AT THE OUTDOOR MAIL BOX AT THE POST OFFICE WHICH WAS < 1/4 MILE FROM THE SERVICE GARAGE. AS I PULLED UP TO THE POST OFFICE DROP BOX, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS GOING JUST A FEW MILES AN HOUR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP! THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME OR IN THE PARKING LOT, SO I JUST STEERED THE VEHICLE AROUND THE LOT CONCENTRATING ON NOT HITTING ANYTHING! ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. IT TOOK ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE FINALLY REVVED BACK DOWN (TO THE NORMAL SOUND) AND THE BRAKES WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE (MY SON WAS GIVEN THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES) ACCORDING TO MY SON. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING-I AM SO GLAD NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I JUST WANT SOME KIND OF RECORD OF THIS, IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS LATER. IS THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433766November 1, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE PARKED, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO STOP THE HORN. THE FAILURE RECURRED DIFFERENT TWICE, BOTH TIMES DURING COLDER WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382546February 14, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND WAS APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. THERE WAS A LIGHT BLINKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AN ALARM WENT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365734November 15, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE A 2003 MONTERO LIMITED AND SUDDENLY MY BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR HAD A HIGH PIERCING NOISE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEAR BY MITSUBISHI DEALER IN MARLOW HEIGHTS MARYLAND ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IF IT WAS THE ACCUMULATOR THEY WOULD FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, AFTER THEIR REVIEW IT THEY SAID IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER AND IT WOULD COST ME $2500 AFTER TAKING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANICAL SHOP I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ACCUMULATOR AND THE PART WAS $228 PLUS LABOR CHARGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343029July 13, 2010
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT WAS ROTATING THE TIRES WHEN HE NOTICED ONE OF THE STUDS ON THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE STUD WAS REPLACED. THE SAME FAILURE HAS SINCE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL IN WHICH THE STUDS WERE REPLACED BY THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256903January 29, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
IN 2007 I HAD THE BRAKES TO MY 2003 MITSUBUSHI MONTERO LIMITED REPLACED BECAUSE I FELT THEY MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP AS DESIRED. AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES REPLACED IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. IN DEC 2007 I TRIED STOPPING IN LESS THAN 3 INCHES OF SNOW. MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP, I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES IT SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING OR EVEN A CRUNCHING SOUND. WHEN DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS THE BRAKES APPEAR TO WORK VERY WELL BUT IN WET OR SNOW CONDITIONS IT DOES NOT HANDLE AT ALL. SINCE THEN THE FRONT BRAKES WAS AGAIN REPLACED IN NOV 2008. AGAIN ON 27 JAN 2009 I TRIED STOPPING IN LESS THAN 2 INCHES OF SNOW AND THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP. I HAD TO DRIVE ON THE CURB IN ORDER TO STOP. I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR. MY BRAKES DOES NOT WORK IN SNOW CONDITIONS OR EVEN IN EXTREMELY WET CONDITIONS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251065December 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK BACKWARDS AND HESITATE. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR IN PARK, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE MINOR AND COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT INTENDS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE SOON. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239451August 23, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS
I REAR-ENDED AN SUV GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH, THROWING MY UPPER BODY FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POLICE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT SAID THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10235977July 28, 2008
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, SHE HEARD A POPPING SOUND. SHE HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS TWISTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228163May 19, 2008
POWER TRAIN, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR END. EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. GOT LOUDER THE HIGHER THE MPH WENT. HAD MECHANIC INSPECT AND FOUND THE ARM FROM THE WHEEL TO THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS SEPARATED AND ABOUT TO COME APART. MISTUBISHI DEALER REPAIRED AND CHARGED 2100.00 TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213570January 3, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WORKED SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD CONTINUE TO SOUND UNLESS THE FUSE WAS DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,280.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196197July 12, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM WARM TO HOT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE DEALER WERE BOTH ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,082 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184274March 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 MITSUBISHI TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 5,2007, AT 6:30 A.M. WHEN, ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A GROANING NOISE AND THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE "ENGINE FAILURE" LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFFENED AND JUST LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO AN AUTO REPAIR STATION/WRECKER SERVICE TO COAST INTO. I CALLED MY BOYFRIEND TO COME AND TAKE ME TO WORK,AND HE THEN CALLED THE MITSUBISHI "ROADSIDE SERVICE" NUMBER TO TOW IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND REPAIRED. LATER THAT DAY HE CALLED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND FOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS,THEY TRIED TO BLAME US FOR 1. LOW OIL 2.OIL NOT CHANGED OFTEN ENOUGH 3. "BAD" OIL. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO PROVE THAT NONE OF THESE WERE TRUE-WE EVEN THREATENED TO SEND THE OIL TO HAVE IT "TESTED"(WE USE MOBIL 1) THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE OIL ANYMORE. A COUPLE DAYS AFTER THEY CHANGED THE OIL,THEY SOMEHOW FOUND THE OIL AND SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE OIL HAD CARBON AND METAL SHAVINGS IN IT, THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE OIL. EACH DAY WE CALLED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON,THE SERVICE MANAGER "A.J." WOULD GIVE US A RUN AROUND AND WOULD SAY THEY WERE RUNNING THE VEHICLE TO SEE HOW IT WAS WORKING. THEY THEN SAID , AFTER 17 DAYS,THE VEHICLE WAS READY TO LEAVE AND TO RUN IT FOR 1,000 MILES AND SEE IF THE NOISE GOES AWAY! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174759November 30, 2006
AIR BAGS
I WAS OPERATING A 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WHEN I REAR ENDED A MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND PROJECTED IT INTO 2 OTHER VEHICLES...... HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY MONTERO, HOWEVER, MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. I WAS PROJECTED INTO THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN MY HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10173592November 15, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT 3.5 L V6 ENGINE. 1. NO PRECEDING EVENT, CAR STARTED IDLING ROUGH WHEN FIRST STARTED. IDLE SMOOTHES AFTER A SHORT TIME. 2. RIGHT SIDE HEAD GASKET STARTED LEAKING COOLANT INTO CYL #2 AT 30K MILES, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LEFT SIDE HEAD GASKET STARTED LEAKING COOLANT INTO CYL #1 AT 65,600 MILES. REPLACEMENT DENIED BY MANUFACTURER, EVEN THOUGHT IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. 3. NOT YET REPLACED DUE TO COST. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167605September 7, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION:REAR
RECENT INCIDENT OF RIGHT BACK WHEEL DISPLAYING EXCESSIVE NOISE AND IMPAIRING DRIVING, AS WELL AS REPEATED INCIDENTS OF BRAKE WEAR, MALFUNCTION AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE NOISES. REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF REAR RIGHT ROTOR. DRIVER WAS IN FEAR FOR HER SAFETY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164849August 7, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
MITSUBISHI MONTERO 2003 - BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES (1ST AT 19K AND 2ND AT 30K) ON THE ODOMETER. SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER DESCENDING DOWN HILL. IF YOU RIDE THE BRAKES (KEEPING SLIGHT PRESSURE APPLIED WHILE PERIODICALLY APPLYING MORE BRAKE) WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HILL, THIS CAUSES THE ROTORS TO HEAT UP AND THEN WARP. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE ROTORS GET TOO HOT BRAKING BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE LONG BEACH MITSUBISHI SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS THAT THE 2003 MONTERO USES A SMALLER BRAKE PAD THEN ITS PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157346May 4, 2006
POWER TRAIN
5-4-06. 2003 MONTERO CENTER DIFFERENTIAL LIGHT FLASHES SLOWLY. *TS ***NAR***
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154690April 6, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH A DEER WAS STRUCK WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO GAIN SPEED, SPUN AROUND, VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED OVER FOUR TIMES IN A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THERE WERE THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE ALL OF WHICH WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT WAS SIX MONTHS PREGNANT AND RECEIVED INJURIES DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10151866March 6, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON ROUGH SLIPPERY ROADS THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD. AFTER PULLING BACK ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED FISH TAILING AND WENT OVER A TWENTY FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE UPROOTED A TREE. DURING THIS TIME THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MODERATE HEAD INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE DRIVER. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, BUT HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THE REASON FOR THE AIRBAG FAILURE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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