2002 Mitsubishi Montero: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero: 3 recalls, 111 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #01V254001 · 2001 · 39,020 vehicles
What's wrong: The accumulator that is installed on the hydraulic brake booster May have been improperly manufactured. Over a period of time, this could result in leakage of the pressurized nitrogen gas from inside the accumulator.
Why it matters: The loss of this gas pressure could result in an abnormal noise from the left side of the dash panel when the brakes are applied, and possibly a delayed first time brake boost assist after the vehicle has been parked for a period of time, which could result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will install an improved accumulator. Owner notification mailing began October 1, 2001.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V319000 · 2004 · 44,214 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, when the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is parked facing forward on an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve May not maintain proper sealing in the event the fuel expands from a rise in the ambient temperature.
Why it matters: If the fuel leveling valve does not seal properly, fuel May leak onto the ground. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source May result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the leveling valve. The recall began on August 30, 2004. Owners should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 or Mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
Equipment Vehicle recall #04V428000 · 2004 · 100,432 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (46): the most common themes are noise or vibration (32), warning light on (6).
- Brakes (21): the most common themes are noise or vibration (13), brake failure / soft pedal (3), warning light on (3).
- Engine & cooling (8): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), fire / smoke (3).
- Airbags (7): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
The 2002 Mitsubishi Montero has 111 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 17 Montero model years for complaints (2.5× the average Montero year). Complaints peaked in 2006 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 84,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (166 complaints, 4 recalls), 2003 (39 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Premium |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (46), brakes (21), engine & cooling (8).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.