The Lemon Index
2000
20033rd generation
Avoid · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
65 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Oldsmobile Bravada2001 GMC Jimmy 1402001 Honda Passport
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 37,000 and 70,000 miles (60,000–113,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 65 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 04V428000 (equipment), 04V067000 (equipment) and 01V254001 (brakes) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 114 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This bulletin contains information concerning a possible oil leak from the freewheel engage…”?
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 65 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 →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 70K miles (60K to 113K km) on the car (20 of all 65 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Brakes are not stopping properly. Please provide any further information.
2001 Mitsubishi Montero owner · NHTSA complaint 8000575
More owner reports
Radiator was broken inside and coolant went into transmission. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated transmission had to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint 898380
Brake booster accumulator malfunctioned. Manufacturer issued a recall on this problem. However, 1,200 miles later the problem recurred. Dealer and manufacturer claimed that consumer was obligated to pay for repairs.
NHTSA complaint 10071855
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 3.9M views · 2001–2006 Mitsubishi Montero
Most-watched topics
- Brakes & ABS209K views
2001'Mitsubishi Montero 4x4 anti lock brake problemBuyThis&That · 91K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical154K views
How to Remove Radio / CD Changer from 2004 Mitsubishi Montero for RepairHiTechElectronic · 148K views · 2 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets98K views
2001 Mitsubishi Montero rear cam cap oil leak o ring 3.5L Install Remove Replace How toFixing cars and stuff · 81K views · 4 videos - Cooling system72K views
Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement on my 2004 Mitsubishi Montero.The Mitsubishi Montero Channel · 37K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Fuel pump, filter & tank61K views
2003 Montero Fuel Pump ReplacementWawa Iki · 61K views - Timing chain & engine54K views
2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO LIMITED, 3.5 HOW TO IDENTIFY A ENGINE NOISE, MOST COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS PABARVIZON · 45K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors19K views
2001-2006 Gen3 Mitsubishi Montero Interior Door Panel Card Removal, Pajero Shogun NM NPLuso Overland · 9K views · 3 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door15K views
Gen3 Mitsubishi Montero HEATER CORE Replacement - Pajero Shogun 2001-2006Luso Overland · 15K views
Before you buy, watch
Mitsubishi MONTERO 3rd Generation.Mk3,V60(Pejero, Shogun), Full Sinhala Review by MRJ inspireMRJ inspire · 78K views
2003 Montero Limited WalkaroundShowcase Mitsubishi · 65K views
2006 Montero Limited walkaroundShowcase Mitsubishi · 45K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2001 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 114 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This bulletin contains information concerning a possible oil leak from the freewheel engage…
- Subject regarding engine diesel noise at idle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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 …
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEAD…
- Brakes · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
Show all 4 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
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 $3,350–$5,350 (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. 2001 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-montero/?y=2001" 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/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Mitsubishi Montero reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 247; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mitsubishi Montero year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2000.
What are the most common 2001 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (25%), brakes (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero have?
4 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero get?
14 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Mitsubishi Montero problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 37,000 and 70,000 miles (60,000–113,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 65 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2001 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2001 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $5,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Montero year is better than the 2001?
Nearby, the 2000 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about one and a half times the average car's complaints).
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