Mitsubishi2009–2017 Critical issues documented

Mitsubishi Montero Sport PB: common faults & what to check

The PB is the Mitsubishi Montero Sport built 2009–2015. Of the 6 faults documented for the Montero Sport, 3 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$400–$3,000

Typical repair

Systems covered

You're looking at the PB

Everything below is narrowed to this variant. Pick a different one to change it.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport, PB (2009–2015)

2009–2015PB Selected2009–2015PBEngine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Jason Lawrence via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

2.5L diesel (4D56)· 2.5 litre diesel

A 2010 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is the PB generation (2009 to 2015).

We cannot narrow the engine list to this year, so every engine this model was sold with is offered.

Start your free check on this Mitsubishi Montero Sport

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Mitsubishi Montero Sport PB

Can't confirm for this car

Mitsubishi Montero Sport · 2010

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Mitsubishi Montero Sport before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

Costly issue
On a quiet coasting section of the test drive, listen for rear whine that changes when you lift off versus accelerate.
See why
Rear differential side-shaft oil leak and diff whine (Challenger, shared Pajero design)
The Challenger shares Mitsubishi's rear axle design where side-shafts can move slightly outwards on their circlips and let diff oil escape past the seals, spraying the underside. Run dry, the diff howls and eventually fails. Rear diff whine rising with road speed on a Challenger should be treated as bearing or oil-starvation damage, not 'character'. Fixed early it is a seals-and-circlips job; left late it is a diff rebuild or second-hand diff swap.
What you would notice
- Whine or howl from the rear rising with speed
- Oil film sprayed on the rear diff and inner wheels
- Clunk on drive take-up
Typically $300–$3,000 to put right.

See all 3 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked.

Fluid leaks1

01Rear differential side-shaft oil leak and diff whine (Challenger, shared Pajero design)

On a quiet coasting section of the test drive, listen for rear whine that changes when you lift off versus accelerate.2009–2015Fluid Leaks$300–$3,000

OccasionalFluid Leaks $300–$3,000 to fix

The Challenger shares Mitsubishi's rear axle design where side-shafts can move slightly outwards on their circlips and let diff oil escape past the seals, spraying the underside. Run dry, the diff howls and eventually fails. Rear diff whine rising with road speed on a Challenger should be treated as bearing or oil-starvation damage, not 'character'. Fixed early it is a seals-and-circlips job; left late it is a diff rebuild or second-hand diff swap.

Symptoms to notice

Whine or howl from the rear rising with speed
Oil film sprayed on the rear diff and inner wheels
Clunk on drive take-up

What to check

On a quiet coasting section of the test drive, listen for rear whine that changes when you lift off versus accelerate. Underneath, check the axle ends and diff housing for oil spray and check the diff oil level if possible.

Where to look: Rear differential and axle shaft flanges

Parts involved: Differential.

Ask the seller

“Has the rear diff ever been resealed or rebuilt?”
“When was the diff oil last changed and was the level correct?”

Depends on the exact engine — 2 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.

Engine, transmission & cooling2

014D56 common-rail injector failure - black smoke, knock and misfires (Challenger PB/PC)

Cold-start it yourself; listen for knock and watch the exhaust under a hard test-drive acceleration.diesel2009–2015EngineCan't confirm for this car$1,200–$4,000

CommonEngine $1,200–$4,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Challenger's 2.5 4D56 common-rail diesel relies on precise Denso injectors that wear with age and poor fuel, causing black smoke, diesel knock, misfires (P0201-series codes) and worsening economy. Failed injectors that dribble fuel can wash cylinder bores and dilute the oil, so it is not a fault to sit on. The 4D56 also runs a timing belt (not a chain) - an overdue belt on a neglected example is an engine-destroying risk and a service history question you must ask.

Symptoms to notice

Black smoke under acceleration
Loud diesel knock, uneven idle
Misfire codes / check engine light
Rising oil level or diesel smell in the oil

What to check

Cold-start it yourself; listen for knock and watch the exhaust under a hard test-drive acceleration.
Pull the dipstick and smell for diesel in the oil.
Ask when the timing belt was last done - if unknown, budget for it immediately.

Where to look: Injectors on top of the engine; timing belt behind the front engine covers

Parts involved: Fuel rail, Fuel injector.

Ask the seller

“Have the injectors been replaced or tested, and when?”
“When was the timing belt last changed?”
“Any misfire or injector fault codes in the past?”

02EGR and inlet manifold carbon build-up choking the 4D56 (Challenger)

Check for EGR-related fault codes with a scan.diesel2009–2015EngineCan't confirm for this car$400–$1,500

Very commonEngine $400–$1,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Like most common-rail diesels of its era, the Challenger's 4D56 recirculates sooty exhaust through the EGR valve, and combined with crankcase oil vapour it forms thick carbon sludge in the inlet manifold. The result is sluggish performance, higher fuel use, rough idle and eventually a sticking EGR valve triggering limp mode. A walnut-blast or manual inlet clean plus an EGR service restores it, and it will recur on a truck that only does short urban trips.

Symptoms to notice

Gutless feeling, especially up hills
Rough idle and hesitation off boost
Check engine light with EGR codes
Black soot around the inlet/EGR area

What to check

Check for EGR-related fault codes with a scan.
Test drive up a decent hill and note whether power feels lazy.
Ask whether the inlet manifold has ever been cleaned - on a 150,000 km+ 4D56 with no record of it, assume it is due.

Where to look: EGR valve and inlet manifold on top/side of the engine

Parts involved: Intake manifold, EGR valve.

Ask the seller

“Has the EGR valve or inlet manifold ever been cleaned?”
“Does it mostly do short trips or open-road running?”

Other Mitsubishi Montero Sport engines and years3 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.

Engine, transmission & cooling3

014N15 cylinder head cracking around injector ports / injector seat blow-by

Ask who performed the valve-clearance services and whether new injector seals/washers were fitted each time.diesel2015 onwardEngineDoes not apply$800–$8,000

OccasionalEngine $800–$8,000 to fix

Does not apply

The 2.4 4N15 in the current Pajero Sport (shared with Triton MQ/MR) has documented cases of the cylinder head cracking around the injector bores - the walls are thin, and carbon-stuck injectors that are forced out during the scheduled valve-clearance services (which require injector removal roughly every 40,000 km) can crack the head or leave injectors seating badly. Poor seating lets combustion gas blow past (chuffing noise, carbon 'chimneying' around the injector), and a cracked head means head replacement. Choose a vehicle whose injector work was done by people who knew this engine.

Symptoms to notice

Chuffing/ticking noise from the top of the engine (combustion gas escaping)
Black carbon build-up around the base of an injector
Coolant loss or white smoke if the head is cracked
Rough running after an injector or valve-clearance service

What to check

Ask who performed the valve-clearance services and whether new injector seals/washers were fitted each time. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the plastic engine cover (ask permission) and look for black sooty build-up around the injectors and listen for a rhythmic chuff at idle.

Where to look: Cylinder head, injector bores under the top engine cover

Parts involved: Cylinder head, Fuel injector.

Ask the seller

“Have the valve clearances been done on schedule, and by whom?”
“Were the injectors removed cleanly and resealed with new washers?”
“Any history of coolant loss or head repairs?”

02DPF soot blockage on short-trip driven vehicles (2.4 4N15)

Get a scan showing soot load and distance between regenerations before purchase.diesel2017 onwardEngineDoes not apply$500–$5,000

CommonEngine $500–$5,000 to fix

Does not apply

From around 2017 the Pajero Sport carries a full diesel particulate filter, and DPF trouble is one of the most-reported problems on Australian owner forums and review sites. Suburban-only driving prevents proper regeneration; soot load climbs, regens become more frequent, economy worsens and the filter can block permanently, putting the vehicle in limp mode. A forced regen or professional clean fixes early cases; a destroyed filter is a four-figure part even aftermarket.

Symptoms to notice

DPF light or frequent regeneration cycles
Diesel smell and raised idle during regens
Increasing fuel consumption
Reduced power / limp mode

What to check

Get a scan showing soot load and distance between regenerations before purchase.
Ask about the typical driving pattern - a school-run-only Pajero Sport is the classic victim.
Check for evidence of DPF deletes, which are illegal for road use in NZ and a WOF/compliance risk.

Where to look: Exhaust under the vehicle, downstream of the turbo

Parts involved: Diesel particulate filter.

Ask the seller

“Has the DPF ever been cleaned, forced-regenerated or replaced?”
“What is the current soot load on a scan?”
“Does the vehicle get regular motorway runs?”

038-speed automatic shudder/missing in top gears (QE/QF)

Test drive at open-road speed in top gear at light throttle for several minutes, including gentle uphill grades.diesel2015 onwardTransmissionDoes not apply$400–$3,000

OccasionalTransmission $400–$3,000 to fix

Does not apply

Some QE Pajero Sport owners report the 8-speed automatic shuddering or 'missing' at highway speeds in 6th, 7th and 8th gears - typically at light throttle around 90-110 km/h - with the symptom disappearing when 5th is manually selected. Causes reported range from torque converter lock-up shudder to software calibration, and Mitsubishi dealers have addressed cases with fluid changes and TCU updates. It is not universal, but it is exactly the kind of fault a short suburban test drive will never reveal, so get the vehicle to open-road speed before buying.

Symptoms to notice

Shudder or vibration at 90-110 km/h under light throttle
Feels like driving over rumble strips in top gears
Symptom disappears when manually holding a lower gear

What to check

Test drive at open-road speed in top gear at light throttle for several minutes, including gentle uphill grades.
If you feel a fine shudder, try manually selecting 5th - if it vanishes, suspect converter lock-up shudder.
Ask whether transmission fluid has been changed and any TCU updates applied.

Where to look: Automatic transmission and torque converter, under the centre of the vehicle

Parts involved: Torque converter.

Ask the seller

“Any transmission shudder at highway speed?”
“Has the transmission fluid been serviced and software updated?”

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Mitsubishi models

Mitsubishi Outlander47 documented faults Mitsubishi Lancer39 documented faults Mitsubishi Pajero39 documented faults Mitsubishi Triton34 documented faults Mitsubishi ASX26 documented faults Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross21 documented faults

Mitsubishi Montero Sport buyer questions

Is the Mitsubishi Montero Sport reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 6 documented faults for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, the recurring problem areas are engine, fluid leaks, and transmission. A Mitsubishi Montero Sport with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Mitsubishi Montero Sport?

We've catalogued 6 known faults for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, covering engine, fluid leaks, and transmission. All 6 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Mitsubishi Montero Sport?

Most single repairs on the Mitsubishi Montero Sport fall between $400–$3,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 6 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Mitsubishi Montero Sport?

Yes. A Mitsubishi Montero Sport inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.