MitsubishiMontero2001Electric/mitsubishi/montero/2001/electric/

2001 Mitsubishi Montero

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Montero.

Body SUVEngine ElectricTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Electric is an SUV built around an electric engine and paired with an Automatic (S5) transmission. Reliability records for this model year logged 245 owner complaints, with Service Brakes, Hydraulic flagged as the top issue area and six recalls on file. Viewed within the context of the broader Montero nameplate’s 1990–2006 complaint history—a span whose annual volumes crested at 174 in 2002 and fell to just one in 2005—this model year stands as one of the more heavily documented entries in the vehicle’s reliability history.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency12/16/14 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range0 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690116. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690116
Engine air filterMZ690198
Fuel filterMR526974
Front wiper bladesMR361327 alt MR522387
Serpentine beltMN183597
Thermostat1305A239

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 16 / 14 MPGe
Electric range0 mi
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub188 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.72 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type56
Oil Capacity4.10-4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature187-193 °F

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket66 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle83 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.96 in / 0.8 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record indicates a fluctuating reliability trend for this generation, with complaint volumes rising from 56 in 2000 to a peak of 174 in 2002 before dropping sharply by 2004. Although the total complaint count for 2001 is absent from the year-by-year table, the specific target data reveals a heavy concentration of issues regarding Service Brakes, Hydraulic, accounting for 66 reported cases alone. This focus on braking systems, alongside 26 crash complaints and 6 fire complaints, suggests the 2001 model sits within an escalating arc of safety-related concerns that culminates in the higher volume seen in 2002. The data does not specify the root cause for these hydraulic brake or electrical system failures, only that they represent the primary areas of owner dissatisfaction. Given the significant brake-related feedback and the proximity to the 2002 peak in complaints and technical service bulletins, this model year carries higher risk than the subsequent 2004-2006 period. Therefore, the 2001 Montero is not a recommended year to buy compared to the 2004-2006 models unless a thorough independent brake system inspection confirms no outstanding defects.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
162
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
245
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 245 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic66
Electrical System21
Engine & Engine Cooling21
Service Brakes16
Air Bags16
Power Train15
Steering8
Suspension8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

01V027000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 05/02/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH NONCOMPLIANT BRAKE VACUUM… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 162 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-0012023-04-24EquipmentThis Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…
DEALER LETTER2023-04-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-22-54-0032022-04-07Exterior LightingThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Montero. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2001 Montero have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the Montero?

EPA figures are 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 0 miles.