June 21, 2001

Los Angeles Times, "Montero SUV Gets Dismal Rollover Rating"

For only the third time, Consumer Reports magazine has rated a vehicle "not acceptable": Mitsubishi Motors' Montero Limited sport-utility vehicle, which the magazine says has a high likelihood of rolling over during sharp turns. The Montero Limited tips dangerously in emergency accident avoidance maneuvers in which drivers swerve to avoid something in their path, and it should be recalled, the magazine said Wednesday.

"If you're shopping for an SUV, we advise you not to buy the 2001 Montero Limited until this safety problem has been corrected," Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, said in a statement. "In our opinion, there are safer choices." The driving test was conducted at Consumer Reports' test track in East Haddam, Conn. "The Montero Limited, in eight out of nine runs at or faster than 36.7 mph, tipped up on two wheels during a sharp right turn," the magazine said. "In one run at 37.7 mph, it tipped up so far that the safety outriggers contacted the ground. Without the outriggers, we believe, the Montero would likely have rolled over."