2003 Mitsubishi Montero Review
Price: $8,700

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- High-quality interior materials, sharp interior design, large cargo capacity, excellent off-road capability.
Cons
- Serious lack of power compared to rivals, mediocre on-road handling, useless third-row seat.
What’s new
A new grille, front fascia and headlights, designed to provide a "greater sense of luxury," as well as smoother body cladding and dechromed taillights update the Montero. A bigger (3.8 liter) V6 adds some much-needed power to this 4,700-pound SUV.
Edmunds says
An old-school sport-ute that excels off-road (where most consumers won't take it) but fails on-road in terms of overall performance and passenger-carrying ability.
For sale near Verona, NJ
3 listings
- 121,332 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 7 Seats, 13 City / 18 Hwy MPG
- Sylhet Motors Inc. (25 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Third-row seating
Close
Located in Jamaica, NY
WELCOME TO SYLHET MOTORS INC. WHERE WE HAVE NO HIDDEN DEALER FEES, NO FINANCING REQUIREMENTS, AND YOU PAY EXACTLY WHAT YOU SEE! WHERE QUALITY SERVICE ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (13 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA4NW51S63J033613
Stock: 033613
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-02-2024- Not provided
- Insurance loss reported, 3 owners, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 13 City / 18 Hwy MPG
- America Auto Sales (462 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Third-row seating
Close
Located in Sanford, NC
Sold off-road truck ?Fully loaded low mileage 3rd Row mint condition like new frozen AC / great heat 4WD Bluetooth camera heated seats , this truck ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (13 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA4NW51SX3J020167
Stock: 020167
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 10-12-2024
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Jersey
$251/mo for Montero XLS
Montero XLS
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Reliability
The 2003 Mitsubishi Montero has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
2 recalls found- Recall Number:
- 04V428000
- Manufactured from:
- 1997-06-01 to 2004-06-30
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 100432
- Defect Description:
- 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 DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
- Defect Consequence:
- THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
- Corrective Action:
- MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
- Recall Number:
- 04V319000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- SR-04-008
- Manufactured from:
- 2001-04-04 to 2004-05-21
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 44214
- Defect Description:
- 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 RISE IN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.
- Defect Consequence:
- IF THE FUEL LEVELING VALVE DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY, FUEL MAY LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEVELING VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
Warranty
3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 7 years / 100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
Mitsubishi Montero Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Only owner, now 160,000 and still going strong!
5 out of 5 starsBrian, 02/04/2016
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
May not be the "best looking" SUVs on the road, but definitely excellent in dependability. I bought mines new in 2003 only because of an end of the year savings, which absorbed the negative equity of my “lemon” trade in. I wanted a SUV but knew nothing about this particular make/model. I didn’t even know what it looked like until they walked me over to it. Initially I was not impressed. … Although leather seats, I thought the interior was cheaply designed, and it was a little noisy at higher speeds. As stated, I bought, but thought I would most likely get rid of it around 3yrs/30k. However, here I still own it over 13 years later, and I wouldn’t get rid of my baby for nothing! The only repairs I made to her are changing the oxygen sensors multiple times, a minor adjustment to my four wheel drive, and engine oil seals. Granted, I have stayed on top of the scheduled maintenance. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi no longer makes this model. However, they should bring it back with interior, and body style upgrades. I would certainly buy another!
Head Turner
5 out of 5 starsGino 3, 11/18/2009
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
I have had a Montero Limited for 5 yrs and I love it. I actually preferred my montero over my Dad's Hummer H2 when he asked me which one I would prefer to have. I love the interior's quality and comfort. It does great off-roading with a rock solid frame. Has a good take off for an SUV of its size. Everywhere I go it always turns head and people are always asking what kinda of car it is … and most even think it's an 08 or 09 model. Great sound system for being stock, I wish it would have the fourth generations 650 watt Rockford Fosgate system with a 10" sub with 12 speakers and 240hp MIVEC engine though, but it will do. I would never choose any other SUV over my Montero besides the H1 alpha.
2003 Ltd 20th Anniversary Montero
5 out of 5 starsMainer, 03/30/2005
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
We purchased our 2003 Ltd 20th Anniversary Montero used and absolutely love it. We live in Maine and it dealt with the 100+ inches of snow we got this winter beautifully. I can't believe the "experts" only rate it at a 5.6. It has a lot power and drives and looks great. It is always being favorably commented on by others. We test drove Envoys, Trailblazers, etc. and they couldn't … compare to the room and build quality of the Montero. It has a ton of cargo room and the third row seating option is great for short distance dinner trips with 2 other couples. We couldn't be more pleased with our Montero and for 10-15K less than our friend's Lexus, it's a steal. Even the Lexus owner agrees!
248,582 original miles and still going strong!!!
4.5 out of 5 starsmjd11, 09/15/2011
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
i bought my 2003 montero LTD in 2004 with 25,000 miles and since 200,000 + miles in the odometer and let me tell it has never let me stranded no where! only do the regular basic maintenance (oil, oil filter,air filter,battery,brakes, etc) and the off road capability one of the best off road vehicle you can buy.But where it falls short is in horseporwer is slugish when accelerating and … the mpg i think can be improve im getting max and light footed on highway speed is 19.1.but overall is the most reliable (and i have had toyotas)and comfortable ,i would recommended it to everybody.
2003 Montero Highlights
XLS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $32,487 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $251/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 42.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Montero include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 2003 Mitsubishi Montero info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Lexus Es 350 2020 Review
- Nissan Leaf 2020 Review
- Porsche Macan 2020 Review
- Cadillac Escalade 2020 Review
- Mitsubishi Outlander 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- BMW Electric Car I3
- Honda Fit Auto
- Lexus NX300H For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2017
- Used Acura ILX 2020
- Used Acura Integra 2015
- Used Acura Integra 2018
- Used Acura Integra 2019
- Used Acura Legend 2010
- Used Acura Legend 2012
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New BMW 8 Series
- New Cadillac LYRIQ
- 2025 Ford Transit Wagon News
- 2024 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
- 2026 XC60
- 2025 Cooper
- New Porsche Boxster
- New Toyota T100
- New Volkswagen ID.4
- 2024 Audi RS 7
Research other models of
- 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
- 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- New Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2025
- 2025 Eclipse Cross
- 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander
- New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- New Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2024
Other models
- Used Subaru BRZ in Levittown, NY 2025
- Used Hyundai Nexo in Selma, AL 2026
- New Acura Adx for Sale in Matteson, IL
- New GMC Sierra-1500 for Sale in Colonial Heights, VA
- New Alfa-Romeo Tonale for Sale in Madison, AL
- Used Mazda 5 in Salem, OR 2015
- Used Volkswagen Touareg in Rochester, NY 2017
- Used Lincoln MKT in Peoria, IL 2019
- Used Bentley Azure in Palm Desert, CA 2009
- New Ford Transit-Cargo-Van for Sale in Independence, MO