Model year guide

2003 Mitsubishi Montero

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 14 on record.

2003 Mitsubishi Montero — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Mitsubishi Montero at a glance

Safety recalls2
Combined15 mpg
Typical price$3,288

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Mitsubishi Montero recalls 2

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V428000 · 01/09/2004

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 DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Fix: 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 EXPE…

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage NHTSA Campaign #04V319000 · manufacturer #SR-04-008 · 06/07/2004

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 RISE IN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Mitsubishi Montero MPG & running costs

Combined15 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$5,500
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (S5) or Automatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$15,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero worth?

Low
$2,300
Typical price
$3,288
High
$5,900

From 8 comparable 2003 Mitsubishi Montero listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$27,500
Fuel only$27,500
Per mile$0.37

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
181.1–183.1 in
Width
66.9–74.8 in
Height
67.7–71.7 in
Wheelbase
107.5–109.4 in
Curb weight
4,112–4,718 lb
Front track
57.9–61.4 in
Rear track
58.3–61.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 71

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 71.

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Jul 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

Bulletin TSB-23-00-004 · Structure · Apr 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (…

Bulletin TSB-23-00-001 · Equipment · Apr 2023

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Apr 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

Bulletin TSB-22-54-003 · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT253 · Equipment · Nov 2019

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

Bulletin TSB-19-00-008 · Equipment · Jul 2019

This is a Technical Information Notice sent to dealers, to inform them that MB991855V (12-13 Pin Reprogramming Adapter) is now available for purchase. To reprogram 2002 - 2006 Montero and 2003 - 2006 Outlander vehicles, MB991855 is necessary. This tool was rem…

Bulletin TIN1800009 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Aug 2018

This is a message sent to dealers, to inform them that an update for MEDIC will be available.

Bulletin MEDICUpdate517 · Equipment · Feb 2018

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT237 · Equipment · Feb 2018

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MONTERO SPORT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, when the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is parked forward on an upward slope, the fuel tank leveling valve may not maintain proper sealing in the event the fuel expands from the rise in ambient temperature. 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…

Transport Canada #2004255 · Jul 2004

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Mitsubishi Montero

The Mitsubishi Pajero is a full-size SUV manufactured and marketed globally by Mitsubishi Motors since 1981. It is also known as the Mitsubishi Montero in North America, Spain, and Latin America, and the Mitsubishi Shogun in the United Kingdom.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 Mitsubishi Montero trims & engines on record

Trims
Limited
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

2003 Mitsubishi Montero vehicles on record

2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51S23J040994 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51S83J046346 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51SX3J040371 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51S73J028193 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51S23J031325 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51S03J019464 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51SX3J048325 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedJA4NW51S43J015482 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi MonteroJA4NW51S83J032009 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi MonteroJA4LS31R73J046892 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi MonteroJMB0NK9403J005428 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi MonteroJA4LS21H33J002261 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi MonteroJA4LS21H23J021836 2003 Mitsubishi Montero 2003 Mitsubishi MonteroJMB0NK9403J005318

Other Mitsubishi Montero model years

2016 2011 2009 2008 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

2003 Mitsubishi Montero — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero get?

The 2003 Mitsubishi Montero has a U.S. EPA estimate of 15 mpg combined (14 city / 18 highway).

How much is a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero worth?

Comparable 2003 Mitsubishi Montero listings run roughly $2,300–$5,900, typically around $3,288 (from 8 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.