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2003 Mitsubishi Outlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outlander years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander are substantially higher than the model-year median of 47.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 36 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

3 reports
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152,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

NHTSA ODI #10806563

98,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE IS WAS PURCHASED USED WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WEEK THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK. A DIAGNOSIS CHECK WAS DONE AND IT WAS FOUND THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL TANK. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THERE…

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THE VEHICLE IS WAS PURCHASED USED WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WEEK THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK. A DIAGNOSIS CHECK WAS DONE AND IT WAS FOUND THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL TANK. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK CAUSING FUMES TO LEAK. THE TANK CANNOT GO BELOW A QUARTER TANK OR THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING THROUGH THE INTERNET IT WAS FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOT, THEY ALSO DID NOT ASSIST IN ANY WAY TO MAKE THIS ISSUE ANY BETTER. DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE $1700.00 TO REPLACE TANK.

NHTSA ODI #10723966

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemWheels

WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR SOME TIME LAST YEAR EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS THINGS STARTED TO GO WRONG ON THE CAR. IT BEGAN WITH ME CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET THE OIL CHANGED THE TIRES WERE BAD THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES THAT I COULDN'T EXPLAIN AND THE TIRES IN THE TIRES IN THE BACK WERE CONSTANTLY BUSTING. THE ENGI…

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WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR SOME TIME LAST YEAR EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS THINGS STARTED TO GO WRONG ON THE CAR. IT BEGAN WITH ME CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET THE OIL CHANGED THE TIRES WERE BAD THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES THAT I COULDN'T EXPLAIN AND THE TIRES IN THE TIRES IN THE BACK WERE CONSTANTLY BUSTING. THE ENGINE IS NOW GOING BAD AND I HAVE BOUGHT AT LEAST 10 SETS OF TIRES FOR THE BACK IN THIS YEAR ALONE. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP PUTTING IN THIS CAR AND CONTINUE TO PAY THE LEASE OFF FOR IT AS WELL. ITS GETTING ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639513

Official recalls

6

16V458000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Jun 23, 2016

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 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 DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

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 CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

04V197000 · Trailer Hitches

Apr 26, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING REQUESTED TO STOP USING THE HARNESS UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT IS PROVIDED AND CAN BE INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

04V067000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Feb 11, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy: A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

03V194000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

May 20, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER COULD ENTER THE FRONT FLOORBOARD AREA FROM OPENINGS IN THE SIDE SILL OR UPPER DASH AREA. THIS WATER COULD COLLECT UNDER THE SEAT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL CORROSION TO OCCUR IN THE HARNESS CONNECTORS THAT CONTAIN THE WIRING FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER, SIDE AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR, AND STOP LAMPS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ELECTRICAL CORROSION OF THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER TO MALFUNCTION, THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY AND/OR THE BRAKE LAMPS NOT TO ILLUMINATE OR TO FALSELY ILLUMINATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SIDE SILLS AND DASH PANEL FOR OPENINGS THAT MAY ALLOW WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. IN ADDITION TO SEALING ANY OPENINGS THAT MAY BE FOUND, THE WIRING CONNECTORS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF ELECTRICAL CORROSION. THE FLOOR HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED IF IT HAS ANY SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE OR ELECTRICAL CORROSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

03V028000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jan 30, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, ICE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE THROTTLE VALVE. THIS ICE BUILD-UP COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK OR NOT TO RETURN TO IDLE AFTER ACCELERATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER TO ELIMINATE THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.