Comments: 1-15, 16-19
Both front and back brakes had to be replaced within 15,000 miles.
At 16,500 miles a part in the brake system had to be replaced. The "not significant part of the brake system" was unavailable in the U.S. When ordered, it was shipped to an unknown destination and was untraceable as to its whereabouts. After repetitive appeals and 3 weeks later the dealer finally took one out of another vehicle.
Although under warranty Mitsubishi refused to pay the $30/day rental car fee for an alternative rental vehicle due to the fact that I had a spare car and did not have to pay an additional rental car fee.
Within the first 10,000 miles a sensor light indicated something wrong with the motor. It turned out to be a little piece of metal broke loose from the intake manifold and went into the motor. The dealer said it didn't cause any damage.
Although we don't use the vehicle for off road 4 wheeling, part of the differential had to be replaced within 10,000 miles.
When installing the step boards, it was discovered that the undercarriage had been bent (supposedly during shipping) and the passenger side step board had to be dealer installed after bending the damaged part back into place.
Now, the brakes chatter after driving on new shoes front and back after 3000 miles.
In all, the vehicle has been in the shop 6 times going on 7 to resurface the rotors to hopefully eliminate the chattering.
I think that you should sue your dealer because I did 30000 miles with a 1994 Montero 3000 V6 (Sport) without taking it to the dealer once. After that I had to replace the brake pads for like 70$. But that's it...
We have had the same problem with brakes. Resurfaced at 15,000 miles, new rotors at 25,000 miles, there is already a noticeable shudder less than 1000 miles later.
I have a 99' Montero. One day my wife and 2 children were in it, and the brakes when! The dealer told us that the brake pads were worn out. To those who have RV's, don't tow anything over 3000 pounds with this car, I know that the dealer says that it can tow 5000 pounds, but that's not true. I even have the V6! If you are a family *no more than 4*, who wants a good SUV and are willing to pay $30,000, the Montero is for you.
My Montero Sport had the same problem with brakes. I replaced the pads at 22000 miles and again at 44000 miles. Then the sensor light came on after it was repaired and they started shuddering. Since I was disgusted with the service at my dealership, I had my local mechanic replace the disks and pads (again) to the tune of $600. I haven't had any brake problems since then. But now my steering wheel vibrates despite having the tires aligned and balanced. My dealership can't figure out what's wrong with it (or so they tell me).
I feel fortunate. I have a 2001 Montero Limtied, and use it with 3 adults and 3 children multiple times a week. I travel a good deal in stop and go traffic, as well as, long highway miles with mountains in between. I just crossed over 45,000 miles and decided I had better check the brakes. There is still a significant ammount of pad left. If I had to guess I'd say 15-20%. The front rotors are very slightly scored, and the rear are like glass. I drive this truck like a sports car, and have replaced the tires at 20K already, and will get about 15K more out of the Bridgestone's I put on at 20K and have manhandled around corners with only one rotation at 33K. Funny thing is that I thought I'd get 60- 80K out of the brakes based on the same driving conditions of my 98 4Runner which still didn't need pads at 60K when I traded it in.
This prompted me to search for a less expensive way to buy pads online and try doing them myself for the first time ever since my dealer wants $400+ dollars for a set of pads only, and $300 for new rotors when I've been told by three local shops that resurfacing is no problem.
QUESTIONS: Are pads on the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited easy to replace by yourself with basic tools? How deep can rotors be scored before they can't be resurfaced or need to be replaced? Are the back pads naturally thinner from the start- because all 4 pads look about even at 44K miles.?
Thanks, Brochureman@yahoo.com.
I purchased a 2001 Montero Limited in July 2000 - had 1600 miles, and was a dealer demo. Added factory nose guard and running boards myself, with no problems. I have over 60,000 miles on this vehicle now, and here's what I've had done:
1) replaced from brake pads (only) at about 53000 - rotors were in great shape.
2) had dealer replace faulty gear indicator light in dashboard (~40K, under warranty).
3) had dealer replace faulty A/C blower switch (~40K, under warranty).
4) had a front differential switch sensor replaced shortly after purchase - I noticed a very slow leak when I was changing the oil the first time.
5) in the process of replacing factory Bridgestone tires.
Aside from that, I've done regular oil/filter changes about every 5000 miles, rotate tires every 10-15K miles. This is the third Montero I've owned (had '95, '97), and have had no major problems. Mostly highway driving, some 4WD in snow, pulled a minivan out of the sand after they got stuck once. Great vehicle, a little top-heavy. My only complaints come from the dealer's service department - I'd rather fix the minor things or do routine maintenance myself, since it seems that every time I take it in for something (i.e. a recall, free service) something else goes wrong, and I have to bring it back again for them to fix.
Sounds like other's experiences with this vehicle are hit-and-miss!
I am almost to the point of complete disgust with my 2001 Montero Limited. I have read all of the things others have had wrong and I know these things must have had more things wrong with them.
I have 69,000 on my 2001.
At 8 months approx. 6,000 mls. it began to take on water in the cargo seat storage area. It leaked in through the inside ofthe rear panel.
I have my brakes pads replaced twice. Because my dealer will not replace the pads without servicing the rotors, I have had them done twice as well. (No More)
At 62,000 I had the front Right Hub Assembly replaced. Now at 69,000 the Left Front assembly has got to be replaced.
The panel LCD display blew out. They had to go into the dashboard to replace it.
I had to have the left windsheild wiper serviced because it came loose.
What did they use to make these things? Cardboard and spit?
I am frustrated and standing tensed waiting for the next shoe to drop.
Jwalls@fcc.gov.
I bought a 2001 with 7000 dealer use miles on it in fall of 2001 at full price to get 0% interest (stupid I know). It wouldn't pass inspection in late summer of 2002 (17000 miles). Dealer replaced right ball-joints bearings and both front tires at their cost (although one of the tires was my spare) and did an alignment. Even with several balancings, the tires wear scalped and vibrate the front after a couple of months. The front tires were shot again by spring of 2003. I bought new Goodyear trackers (all 4) when it had 26000. We have have CD problems it skips and the CD's are too hot too hold when ejected. The "hub" holders on the tires are different sized on the front and can be broken when tires are rotated. Buy the rear ones and put them one the front to prevent problems when rotating tires. I'll never buy another but it looks like were stuck with it as its always worth about 6000 less than we owe.
2002 Mitsubishi Montero Ltd.
1,202 Miles:
Minor-Typical rattles, undercoating overspray, water spots, fallout on finish. Warrantied
Major- steering wheel vibration. warrantied/balance tires
3,196 miles:
Major- Rear brake rotors warped. "Goodwill" turned. Turning your rotors actually shaves off the metal surface irregularites and Decreases rotor service life.
12,291 miles:
Major- Right rear parking brake locked up due to faulty bearing seal, which contaminated parking brake shoes, gumming up the mechanism and locking the parking brake. The only way to get moving again was to put the vehicle in gear and apply moderate throttle. The parking brake released with a loud "clang"! This happened on vacation in Corpus Christi, Texas resulting in the Montero being in the shop for 4 days. The bearing was not in stock and had to be Fed Ex'd from Los Angeles, Ca. We were not authorized a rental car by the dealer. I forgot about our extended warranty coverage, which probably would have re-imbursed charges. Luckily, my parents had a second car for us to use.
15,504 miles:
Major- Parking brake would not hold vehicle on an incline. Had to take it into shop and have it re-adjusted.
16,375 miles-
Major- Montero is in shop, as I type this, for brake problems again. Brake shudder, indicating warped rotors or possibly a faulty bearing again. This is getting old. Plus now they are not willing to warranty the repair. I told them that they must have a bad batch of brake rotors. an they should have installed new rotors when the problem first appeared at 3,196 miles.
Starting problem: It takes 3-4 seconds of cranking to start engine. It didn't do this when we first bought it. They fed me a song and dance about firing order theory! Please!. I will keep the list posted. Round two tomorrow! Ding! Ding! And in this corner...
I owned a 1978 Montero Sport before SUV's were called SUV's. Had it 15 years and never had a problem!!! Cried when I had to get rid of it because I got married and had kids and it was now too small. Since it was such a good truck I decided to buy a 2000 Montero Sport.
Problems:
- Less than a year dealer replaced battery
- Less than a year dealer replaced remote car opener
- Needed new front and rear brakes at 22K ($120.00 for
pads)
- 3 years old, 20k miles:
lost interior lights
lost headlights
key warning buzzer does not work
head light warning does not work
keyless entry now works, but it does not give
beep confirming car is locked
electric side mirrors do not work
windshield wiper sprayer is always clogged
I only fixed the interior and head lights.
- 3
I have a 2000 Montero Sport. The vehicle has 40,000 miles on it. All in all it runs good except I have taken it in three times for a steering wheel slippage problem. They can't find anything wrong with it. I'm dealing with it. At 30,000 miles got new pads and had the rotors resurfaced. Rotors were completely gone after another 5,000. Got new rotors at 35,000 under dealer warranty. Today, at 40,000 miles is in again for brake problems. No longer under warranty. Was told that because I use the vehicle in city driving, I should expect to need brake work every 5,000 miles because pads are too small for such a large vehicle. If you buy one of these, you should expect to have front brakes replaced between 20-30,000 miles and rear brakes at 40,000.
I have a 2000 Montero Sport. We have had the rotors replace 4 times. I was blamed by my husband for speeding over potholes (where I would do this I don't know) the first 3 times (which were under warranty). Now he's had the car for almost 8 months as I refused to drive it and keep getting blamed and he just had the rotors replaced again (no longer under warranty) and finally believes me as he does not speed over potholes and we had this problem anyway. I'm personally very disappointed in this car. As soon as I'm done paying it off I'm going to sell it and buy something else.
I have a 1999 montero sport ltd.. bought if from Carmax with 32000 miles on it in dec 2000. (1 1/2 yrs old).. have replaced front disc pads once.. maintain it well.. has leak on right side of windshield which I can't seem to get sealed. now have 120000 miles on it.. good vehicle. I believe having read other reviews some people are just hard on brakes.. i live in large city so lack of brake use is not relevent. if you drive them right and maintain monteros properly... they are an exceptional vehicle.
I have a 2001 Montero XLS with 72,000 miles that has needed nothing, but a set of front and rear brake pads. I just replaced the rears myself last week in about 30 minutes at a cost of $26. Why all the complaints about brakes? The original tires lasted 69,000 miles. This vehicle is very solid and rattle free, and I would not hesitate to buy one again. I had a 1992 Montero that was just as reliable. My only wish is that it got better gas mileage.
I have a 2001 Montero only major thing I've had to do was replace pads and rotors at 65k.. I think it is a great SUV been off road a few times and it did better than expected. OK the MPG isn't great, but it's an SUV it has the same aerodynamic qualities as a brick... Love the interior space, it handles well can get two MT bikes in there without folding the seats down... Have camped in it folding the seats all the way down to make a reasonably comfortable bed.. Sorry for you guys having all the problems...
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