The 2002 Mitsubishi Montero has 3 recalls, the most serious being a fuel leak risk where a faulty fuel tank leveling valve can allow gasoline to escape onto the ground when the tank is full and the vehicle is parked on an uphill slope, creating a fire hazard if an ignition source is nearby.
The remaining recall involves the hydraulic brake booster, which uses a pressurized nitrogen accumulator to store energy for power-assisted braking. That accumulator can lose its nitrogen charge over time, and when it does, the driver may hear an abnormal noise from the left side of the dashboard when pressing the brake pedal. More importantly, the first brake application after starting the vehicle may feel delayed or require more pedal effort than expected, since the power assist takes longer to build pressure without a properly charged accumulator.
At a glance
What can fail
When a full fuel tank is parked nose-up on a slope, heat can cause fuel to expand. The leveling valve may fail to seal, allowing fuel to leak onto the ground where it could ignite.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the fuel leveling valve with one that maintains proper sealing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
When the fuel tank is completely full and the vehicle is parked uphill, the fuel tank leveling valve may fail to seal properly if fuel expands due to heat.
What the fix does
The leveling valve will be replaced by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hydraulic brake booster accumulator may be defectively manufactured, allowing pressurized nitrogen gas to leak out over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the accumulator with an improved version at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
