The Lemon Index
200120043rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 8,839 in the U.S. in 2003 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Oldsmobile Bravada2003 Hummer H2 832003 Chevrolet Tracker 94
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 04V428000 (equipment) and 04V319000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rear axle shaft flange coming loose”?
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 19 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 11K to 40K miles (18K to 64K km) on the car (13 of all 19 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
The vehicle stalled while slowing down for a stop light. Although the vehicle is in drive it sometimes rolls backwards as if it is in neutral.
2003 Mitsubishi Montero owner · NHTSA complaint 10075816
More owner reports
While driving and coming to complete stop automatic transmission doesn't shift properly from the first to the second gear. Dealer inspected vehicle several times, but did not resolve the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10057948
5-4-06. 2003 Montero center differential light flashes slowly.
NHTSA complaint 10157346
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 2003 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 49 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear axle shaft flange coming loose
- Noise from front wheel hub bearing - improvements
- Torque converter shudder, surge, and/or vibration (possibly intermittent) when driving 35-50…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- 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 …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2004
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…
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–$5,000 (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, 3.8L 6-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Montero year. 2003 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 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-montero/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Mitsubishi Montero reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
We can't score it: only 8,839 were sold in the U.S. in 2003 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (21%), fuel system, gasoline (21%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have?
2 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 2003 Mitsubishi Montero get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Montero year is better than the 2003?
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