The 2001 draws 4 complaints per run and the 2003 1.31, a 3.1-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 51% land after the 5-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Service Brakes, with 192 complaints, typically at 6.5 years.
Mitsubishi Montero years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 5 | yes | |
| 2003 | 34 | 26 | yes | |
| 2002 | 101 | 28 | yes | |
| 2001 | 136 | 34 | yes | |
| 2000 | 32 | 24 | yes | |
| 1999 | 32 | 24 | yes | |
| 1998 | 64 | 41 | yes | |
| 1997 | 44 | 32 | yes | |
| 1996 | 18 | 14 | yes | |
| 1995 | 68 | 33 | yes | |
| 1994 | 24 | 14 | yes | |
| 1990 | 13 | 12 | yes | |
| 1989 | 7 | 7 | yes |
Among the 8 Mitsubishi Montero years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2001, 2002, 1995; the three worth hunting are 2003, 2000, 1999.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 14.8% | covered | |
| 1 year | 27.2% | covered | |
| 2 years | 35.1% | covered | |
| 3 years | 41.6% | covered | |
| 4 years | 49% | covered | |
| 5 years | 56.4% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 63.8% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 70.4% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 73.4% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 78.9% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 83.9% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 89.3% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 92.4% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 95.6% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 98.7% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 5 years / 60,000 miles. Only 49% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 51% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (10 years / 100,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 25% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Mitsubishi Montero, the early trouble is Suspension and Power Train — reported at around 1.9 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Service Brakes at 6.5 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 6.5 yrs | 10 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 4.9 yrs | 7 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5.8 yrs | 1 | 3 | |
| Suspension | 1.9 yrs | 4 | — | |
| Air Bags | 5.3 yrs | 23 | — | |
| Power Train | 3.1 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Steering | 5 yrs | 7 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 6.9 yrs | — | 3 |
What else in this class
6 models share the Montero's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota 4-Runner draws 1.71, the Ford Bronco 2.43 and the Jeep Cherokee 4.26, against 2.03 for the Montero.
| Same class as the Montero | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota 4-Runner | 171 | 1984–2026 | |
| Ford Bronco | 148 | 1981–2026 | |
| Jeep Cherokee | 222 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 149 | 1986–2026 | |
| Honda Passport | 63 | 1994–2026 | |
| Jeep Wagoneer | 66 | 1981–2025 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.03 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Montero years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2001, 2002, 1995. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2003, 2000, 1999. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Montero problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Service Brakes, typically at 6.5 years, followed by Hydraulic.
Will the warranty cover Montero problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 5 years / 60,000 miles, and only 49% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 25% of the complaints here.
Is the Montero more reliable than the Toyota 4-Runner?
No: 2.03 complaints per production run for the Montero against 1.71 for the Toyota 4-Runner.
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