Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (0)

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (31)

31 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

6involved a crash
2involved a fire
4injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 31.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2003 compares with other Montero Sport years

Best and worst Montero Sport years →
199719981999200020012002200320042009
This year (2003)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
21
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700494
3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17$3,950523
3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2003 Montero Sport for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Montero Sport years

Where to next

2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport FAQ

How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport have?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.

What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport problems?

Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (5), Electrical system (5), Engine (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2003 Montero Sport compare with other years?

Among the 1997–2009 Mitsubishi Montero Sport model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2000 the most (97). The 2003 drew 31. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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