The Lemon Index
200320053rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 5,181 in the U.S. in 2004 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Oldsmobile Bravada2004 Hummer H22004 Nissan Armada 390
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 04V428000 (equipment), 04V319000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 04V095000 (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?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 43 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Steering wheel and or vehicle vibration-vehicles equipped with goodyear intergrity 16 inch…”?
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 2 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 →
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 2004 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 43 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering wheel and or vehicle vibration-vehicles equipped with goodyear intergrity 16 inch…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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…
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHTS AS STATED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL ARE IN ERROR.
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–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Montero year. 2004 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 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-montero/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Mitsubishi Montero reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero reliable?
We can't score it: only 5,181 were sold in the U.S. in 2004 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2004 Mitsubishi Montero problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (150%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero have?
3 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 2004 Mitsubishi Montero get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Mitsubishi Montero have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Montero year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2000 drew the fewest (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