2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Hydraulic brake booster accumulator and ABS unit failure.” Mitsubishi publishes short, conservative intervals: oil every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe, and — unlike many rivals — an explicit CVT fluid replacement schedule rather than a 'lifetime fill' claim. Read the severe-service column honestly: stop-and-go city trips, short hops, and hot climates all qualify, and they describe how most Mirages actually live. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays intact only with documented on-schedule service.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Reported to NHTSA

Hydraulic brake booster accumulator and ABS unit failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

22 NHTSA complaints · 2002-05 → 2022-11

“I'M DRIVING DOWNHILL WHEN MY BRAKES START ACTING UP. IT WAS SO HARD AND NO POWER BRAKES , I NEEDED TO USE THE HAND BRAKES TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T GOING HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10463206
“RECALL ON ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS PERFORMED YEARS AGO. BRAKES ONCE AGAIN FAILED ALMOST COMPLETELY WITH WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN. LUCKILY SHE REMEMBERED THE PARKING BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. NEW ACCUMULATOR REPLACED AND BRAKES WERE AGAIN FINE FOR 3 DAYS...COMPLETE FAILURE AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10555935

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Recall 01V254001 remedy refused or recurred

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

52 NHTSA complaints · 2002-04 → 2022-10

“SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE ACCUMULATOR BROKE ON MY MITSUBSHI MONTERO LIMITED. THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT THE ACCUMULATOR WAS REPLACED, UNDER RECALL, PRIOR TO MY ACQUIRING THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002. IF THE ACCUMULATOR WAS REPLACED IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10242704
“TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WITH 72000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 30 MPH HE APPLIED HTHE BRAKE, BUT THERE WAS A DELAY IN SLOWING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS RECALL 01V254001 REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2001”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10186562

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front and rear brake rotor warping and shudder

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 NHTSA complaints · 2002-04 → 2004-09

“FRONT BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WARPING AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT EVERY 15000-20000 MILES, CAUSING SHUDDER AND GRABBING.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10086108
“PROBLEMS WITH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. *MR THE ROTORS HAD BEEN WARPED WHICH MADE STOPPING VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO THE VIOLENT SHAKING. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND THE ROTORS WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10083956
“OUR DEALER INFORMED US YESTERDAY THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON OUR VEHICLE ARE WARPED. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH ONLY 22000 MILES ON THE NEW VEHICLE. AFTER INVESTIGATING FURTHER, WE'VE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON FOR THE MITSUBISHI MONTERO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #762481

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Horn sounding without command

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

32 NHTSA complaints · 2004-05 → 2024-08

“WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 18F DEGREES THE HORN WILL CONTINUOUSLY BLOW. INITIALLY THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED TO STOP THE HORN FROM MAKING ITS NOISE. THEN HORN RELAY IS REMOVED TO DISABLE THE HORN COMPLETELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10375264
“AS THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE HORN STARTED GOING OFF W/OUT ANY OPERATOR IN THE CAR. THE CAR REMAINED LOCKED AND NO ONE WAS AROUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10472952

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank and fuel line leaks

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2018-03

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10259939
“IN JAN. MY WIFE STARTED TO GET A WHIFF OF GASOLINE EVERY NOW AND THEN WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF HER 2001 MONTERO SPORT. IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO AROUSE SUSPICION. IN THE WEEK OF 3/27/06, THE SMELL BECAME SEVERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10154591

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in collisions

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2002-08 → 2006-06

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES WHEN HER HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10055828
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10026937
“WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN THE RAIN A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID THE DEER AND WENT INTO A DITCH. FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A METAL POLE IN A DRIVEWAY AND FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10072271

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frame and underbody corrosion

STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2005-07 → 2016-08

“LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONTO SHOULDER. AFTER CHECKING I NOTICED THE FRAME HAD RIPPED ,BROKEN OFF. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED FOR 3-4 FEET. FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE REAR WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651556
“FRAME IS RUSTING TO A POINT WHERE IT'S BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TENDS TO SHIFT BACK AND FORTH IN THE REAR. A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE POINTED OUT THE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH FRAME NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10893307

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine knock, oil starvation and engine failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2002-12 → 2008-11

“2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO; ENGINE SHOT ON THE HIGHWAY (NJ TURNPIKE). THERE WAS NO OIL WARNING. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE-IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INNER LANE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. VEHICLES ON NJ TURNPIKE ARE TRAVELING 60-80MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10102139
“ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 79K MILES. FEBRUARY 04 I NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE MITSUBISHI MECHANIC SAID IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE BUT THAT HE WOULD JUST CHANGE THE OIL TO SEE IF THAT HELPED. THE SALES TICKET SAID, NO PROBLEM FOUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10090761
“THE OIL LIGHT INDICATOR FAILED TO WARN THAT THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WAS DEPLETED UNTIL APPROX 30 SECONDS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING. THE RODS CRACKED THE ENGINE AND BROKE THE HEAD GASKET MIXING OIL AND WATER TOGETHER. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN IN SECONDS. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10006539

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe. Mirage's 1.2L three-cylinder holds barely over 3 quarts — small sumps punish stretched intervals. 0W-20 on most recent models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

CVT Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Mitsubishi schedules CVT fluid replacement — commonly every 60,000 miles normal / 30,000 severe (check your year's table). Use only the specified CVT fluid (J4/CVTF-J4 family); generic ATF destroys the belt-and-pulley unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Light Mirages are easy on tires but the economy-focused OEM rubber wears fast when neglected.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors/drums, and lines at each service — Mirage G4 retains rear drums, which need periodic adjustment checks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 2-3 years per the schedule. Cheap job, big ABS-unit insurance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs commonly every 60,000 miles on the Mirage's 3A92 and Lancer's 4B11 — verify your year's table, as some engines list up to 105,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Mitsubishi's schedule replaces the engine air filter every 15,000 miles — shorter than most brands, and a 5-minute DIY on the Mirage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on cracking. The Mirage's single serpentine belt also drives the A/C — a failure strands the car's accessories at once.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace every 15,000 miles, behind the glovebox. Often skipped at quick-lube visits — worth checking if airflow feels weak.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

First change around 60,000 miles, then roughly every 30,000-45,000 per the schedule. Mitsubishi long-life coolant or equivalent OAT for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Small-battery economy cars have little reserve — the first cold snap finds a weak one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

228 crashes 1990–2024

How the 228 occupant deaths break down

141

driver deaths

87

passenger deaths

228

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2000 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

26

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport reflects Mitsubishi's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.