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2002 Mitsubishi Montero

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Montero.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2002 Mitsubishi Montero is an SUV featuring an S5 automatic transmission and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 13/17/14 mpg, utilizing 5.2 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API engine oil. Within the model's 1990-2006 history, the 2002 year represents the peak of reported issues, recording 174 owner complaints and four recalls. These reports centered primarily on hydraulic brake service, contrasting sharply with the 2005 model year, which saw the lowest volume of complaints at just one.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy13/17/14 mpgEPA · 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 filter	MZ690116
Engine air filter	MR571476
Fuel filter	MR526974
Spark plug	MD372553 alt MD361067
Front wiper blades	MR522387 alt MR361327
Serpentine belt	MN183597
Thermostat	1305A239

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	181.1 in
Overall width	66.5 in
Overall height	67.7 in
Wheelbase	106.7 in
Curb weight	3843 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.9 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	13 / 17 / 14 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Montero of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.1–14.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.10 sec — 2001 Limited

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	Limited 3.5L V6	9.10 sec	16.90 sec	200 hp	4x4
2001	Limited 3.5L V6	10.30 sec	17.60 sec	200 hp	4x4
2001	Limited 3.5L V6	11.80 sec	18.60 sec	200 hp	4x4
2005	Limited 3.8L V6	9.60 sec	17.30 sec	215 hp	4x4
1996	SR 3.5L V6	10.50 sec	17.80 sec	200 hp	4x4
1995	SR 3.5L V6	9.90 sec	17.40 sec	200 hp	4x4
1992	SR 3.0L V6	12.20 sec	18.80 sec	150 hp	4x4
1992	SR 3.0L V6	14.40 sec	19.90 sec	150 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.2 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	Genuine Mitsubishi PS fluid
Power Steering Fluid	Use Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	Tighten in 2
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	134 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	3 steps in sequence: Final torque; 80 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	33 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	54 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	188 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	3 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.10-1.72 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	56
Oil Capacity	4.10-4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	585 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	27F

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	187-193 °F
Engine Compression	171-127 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	127-171 psi
Engine Oil Pressure	11.4-11.6 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	66 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	83 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.024 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.024 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.96 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 mi	Brake 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 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory 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 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel 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 2002 Mitsubishi Montero sits at the apex of this generation's federal complaint activity, logging 174 complaints—more than double the 1997 peak of 98 and nearly triple the 2000 figure of 56—alongside the highest counts in the 1990–2006 record for recalls (4), investigations (1), and TSBs (110). After earlier stress points in 1995 and 1997, the data show a moderating trend through 1999–2000 before a sharp spike in 2002, followed by a collapse to just 5 complaints by 2004 and near-zero activity thereafter. The leading 2002 complaint categories are brake-related, with "Service Brakes, Hydraulic" accounting for 51 complaints and "Service Brakes" another 23, followed by "Engine & Engine Cooling" at 15 and "Air Bags" at 14; the data do not specify root causes. Crash-related complaints total 24, and fire-related complaints total 1. Because 2002 is the generation's statistical high-water mark for owner-reported problems and manufacturer service activity, it is a risky year to buy unless a thorough pre-purchase inspection and documented recall completion can offset the record.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

110

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

174

Owner complaints

24 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00’02’04 ’05 ’06

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 174 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic51

Service Brakes23

Engine & Engine Cooling15

Air Bags14

Power Train9

Structure9

Electrical System5

Tires5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

01V254001Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:VacuumReported 03/08/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACCUMULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE…

04V428000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 110 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
DEALER LETTER	2023-07-21	Equipment	This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-004	2023-04-24	Structure	This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-001	2023-04-24	Equipment	This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…
DEALER LETTER	2023-04-21	Equipment	This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-22-54-003	2022-04-07	Exterior Lighting	This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

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.

Group 24F battery Vehicles taking 5.2 qt Engine oil filter MZ690116 Engine air filter MR571476 Fuel filter MR526974 Spark plug MD372553

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Montero take?

5.2 qt of ABOVE 0 degreesF 10W-30 SL API, BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-30 SL API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Montero have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Montero get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined mpg.