The Lemon Index
2001Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
40 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Oldsmobile Bravada 1332000 GMC Jimmy 1022000 Honda Passport 120
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V035000 (airbags) and 04V428000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 31 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 40 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
Intermittently vehicle accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly when brakes were applied. Dealer has repaired/inspected the vehicle three times.
2000 Mitsubishi Montero owner · NHTSA complaint 864970
More owner reports
When applying brakes rotors will squeak /scratch and will feel a pulsation. Dealer will only resurface rotors.
NHTSA complaint 868131
Vehicle was riding sluggish, but braking distance was fine. Dealer replaced brake pads that were worn out. Consumer believed brake were sticking. Currently, vehicle's performance is better.
NHTSA complaint 886734
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 31 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew
- Experiencing a high frequency noise from the audio speaker
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Montero year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2002–2002, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Mitsubishi Montero years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-montero/?y=2000" title="Mitsubishi Montero reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-montero/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Mitsubishi Montero reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 168; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2000 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (20%), body structure (12%) and suspension (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Mitsubishi Montero have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Mitsubishi Montero year than the 2000?
Not nearby: the 2000 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mitsubishi Montero years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works