NHTSA vehicle safety data

2000 Mitsubishi Montero Recalls & Complaints

The 2000 Mitsubishi Montero has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 49 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2000 Mitsubishi Montero owner complaints

Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero, describing incidents dated November 15, 1999 to December 21, 2023.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 7 complaints
Electrical System 6 complaints
Structure 6 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints
Air Bags 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints

Of the 49 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 49 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11561352 · Filed December 21, 2023
Awhile back my horn stopped working as if it was stuck down. I found out this was because of a problem with this cars airbag breaking down that causes this - and that there is a recall because these airbags are dangerous if they go off. I received a letter at one point from Mitsubishi about this. I…
ODI #11075657 · Filed March 1, 2018
I GOT BRAKES CHANGED ON MY MONTERO TWICE IN 3 YEARS HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING BRAKE FAIL PADS CAME OUT OF CALIPER BRAKES KEEPS GOING BAD AFTER 1.5 TO TWO YEARS DID CALIPERS CHANGE AS WELL SAME THING CALIPERS WILL GET STUCK AND PADS WILL COME OUT THEY HAVE A RECALL ON 1997 1998 MODELS FOR BRAKES…
ODI #10649611 · Filed October 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKID AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND RIP OPENED BURNING THE CONTACT'S RIGHT HAND. ALSO, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED…

Read all 49 complaints

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #20V035000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 23, 2020 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 18,123 vehicles

Repair completion: 4.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-20-001 · Owners notified February 25, 2021 · Vehicles built June 12, 1997 – December 31, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 1998-2000 Montero vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-001.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL

NHTSA #04V428000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

Potentially affected: 100,432 vehicles

Vehicles built June 1, 1997 – June 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN 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.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Notes

THE MANUFACTURER'S PETITION WHICH REQUESTED THAT NHTSA DETERMINE THIS FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE DOES NOT CREATE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY WAS PARTIALLY DENIED ON JANUARY 26, 2005. THEREFORE, THIS MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO CONDUCT AN OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

49 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero.

Air Bags

ODI #11561352

Incident: December 21, 2023 · Filed: December 21, 2023

Awhile back my horn stopped working as if it was stuck down. I found out this was because of a problem with this cars airbag breaking down that causes this - and that there is a recall because these airbags are dangerous if they go off. I received a letter at one point from Mitsubishi about this. I filled out a form a long time ago when I got that, I also emailed them before, I also have tried calling them a few times. They never get back to me. There is no Mitsubishi dealership in my town so I cannot take the car there unannounced without driving 2 hours to another town. I do not want to do this if the airbags are unsafe, so the car has been sitting for a long time because of this issue. I want it resolved. I do not care if Mitsubishi or a mechanic or whoever does it, I just need it done so I do not get killed by my airbag, I don't want to pay for it since it is covered by recall. Please let me know how to resolve this. Thank you.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11075657

Incident: December 12, 2017 · Filed: March 1, 2018

I GOT BRAKES CHANGED ON MY MONTERO TWICE IN 3 YEARS HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING BRAKE FAIL PADS CAME OUT OF CALIPER BRAKES KEEPS GOING BAD AFTER 1.5 TO TWO YEARS DID CALIPERS CHANGE AS WELL SAME THING CALIPERS WILL GET STUCK AND PADS WILL COME OUT THEY HAVE A RECALL ON 1997 1998 MODELS FOR BRAKES ISSUE NOT 1999 AND 2000

Air Bags

ODI #10649611

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 22, 2014 · Filed: October 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKID AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND RIP OPENED BURNING THE CONTACT'S RIGHT HAND. ALSO, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE CHEST, ARMS, AND BACK. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM HEADACHES DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Structure

ODI #10523736

Incident: March 15, 2013 · Filed: July 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. *TR

Structure

ODI #10496481

Incident: November 6, 2012 · Filed: February 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING HIS VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,991.

Air Bags

ODI #10389745

Crash 1 injury

Incident: May 28, 2010 · Filed: March 10, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SHE SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING AN OBJECT ON THE ROADWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO BOTH ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10282242

Fire

Incident: August 25, 2009 · Filed: August 29, 2009

2000 MITSUBISHI MONTERO REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train

ODI #10114959

Incident: September 20, 2004 · Filed: March 10, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. ALSO, DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10083651

Incident: April 15, 2003 · Filed: July 28, 2004

WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10024275

Incident: June 17, 2003 · Filed: June 17, 2003

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FELL OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK

Other Mitsubishi Montero model years

Check your 2000 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Montero at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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