← New search

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

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Outlander years →

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

What owners actually said

116 reports
82,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
StructureSuspension

SINGLE OWNER/USER;RETIRED, GARAGE KEPT. UNDERCARRIAGE SO ERODED WHEELS BEGAN TO LIST. IMPRACTICAL TO REPAIR. BODY AND ENGINE WITHOUT PROBLEMS. NOT NOTIFIED BY DEALERSHIP AT RECENT SERVICE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. AN UNKNOWN PERSON THAT DROVE BEHIND ME MENTIONED THAT I SHOULD GET REAR WHEEL LOOKED AT. WHEN BROUGHT FOR ALIGNMENT…

Read full complaint

SINGLE OWNER/USER;RETIRED, GARAGE KEPT. UNDERCARRIAGE SO ERODED WHEELS BEGAN TO LIST. IMPRACTICAL TO REPAIR. BODY AND ENGINE WITHOUT PROBLEMS. NOT NOTIFIED BY DEALERSHIP AT RECENT SERVICE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. AN UNKNOWN PERSON THAT DROVE BEHIND ME MENTIONED THAT I SHOULD GET REAR WHEEL LOOKED AT. WHEN BROUGHT FOR ALIGNMENT CHECK, I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. EROSION WAS SO BAD, I DROVE THE 5 MILES TO MY HOME AND WILL NOT TAKE IT ON THE ROAD AGAIN. NO RECALLS RECEIVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668660

206,000 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS EMITTING NEAR THE RADIO. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND SUDDENLY THE INTERIOR FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MAD…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS EMITTING NEAR THE RADIO. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND SUDDENLY THE INTERIOR FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

NHTSA ODI #10667260

103,700 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Visibility/wiper

HVAC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD TO TURN FROM HEAT TO COOL, BUT IT HAS NOW COMPLETELY BROKEN. IF YOU TURN IT TO HEAT IT BOUNCES BACK TO COOL. I HAVE NO HEATER OR DEFROST! I WAS QUOTED $1,500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE HVAC CABLE AND DOOR ARE STUCK SHUT. THE DEALER KNEW MY EXACT PROBLEM AND THE PART NUMBER OFF THE TOP OFF HIS H…

Read full complaint

HVAC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD TO TURN FROM HEAT TO COOL, BUT IT HAS NOW COMPLETELY BROKEN. IF YOU TURN IT TO HEAT IT BOUNCES BACK TO COOL. I HAVE NO HEATER OR DEFROST! I WAS QUOTED $1,500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE HVAC CABLE AND DOOR ARE STUCK SHUT. THE DEALER KNEW MY EXACT PROBLEM AND THE PART NUMBER OFF THE TOP OFF HIS HEAD! HE SAID IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THEY DON'T RECALL IT BECAUSE IT ISN'T A SAFETY HAZARD. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS SO. WE WERE PLUMMETED WITH SNOW AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK AND I HAD TO USE AN ICE SCRAPPER ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHTS! FREEZING AND NO VIABILITY SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654554

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…

Read full complaint

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

140,000 miles · May 24, 2014
Exterior Lighting

RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER AND THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON BOTH SIDES ARE CRACKED, EXTREMELY CRAZED AND THE WHOLE THING IS MILKY, WHICH DULLS THE HEADLIGHT AT NIGHT, I HAVE RESEARCHED AND MITSUBISHI WILL NOT REPLACE AFTER WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. WITH ALL TH…

Read full complaint

RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER AND THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON BOTH SIDES ARE CRACKED, EXTREMELY CRAZED AND THE WHOLE THING IS MILKY, WHICH DULLS THE HEADLIGHT AT NIGHT, I HAVE RESEARCHED AND MITSUBISHI WILL NOT REPLACE AFTER WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, MITSUBISHI SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593869

110,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

OVER THE LAST 4-6 MONTHS I NOTICED A GASOLINE ODOR AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK (AFFECTED PART). THE GAS ODOR HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE EACH MONTH. IF I FILL THE GAS TANK TODAY THERE IS AN EXTREME GAS ODOR/FUME THAT IS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK. AS THE GAS TANK EMPTIES THE ODOR DECREASES. THE…

Read full complaint

OVER THE LAST 4-6 MONTHS I NOTICED A GASOLINE ODOR AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK (AFFECTED PART). THE GAS ODOR HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE EACH MONTH. IF I FILL THE GAS TANK TODAY THERE IS AN EXTREME GAS ODOR/FUME THAT IS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK. AS THE GAS TANK EMPTIES THE ODOR DECREASES. THERE ISN'T A GAS LIQUID LEAKAGE THAT YOU WOULD SEE ON THE GROUND, BUT A FLUME LEAKAGE THAT FILLS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SURROUNDS THE OUTSIDE REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE. I THINK IF THERE WAS SPARK, OPEN FLAME, REAR END COLLISION, OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DIRECT SUN LIGHT A COMBUSTIBLE FIRE/EXPLOSION COULD OCCUR. THIS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE CONDITION. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS OWNING 2003 AND NEWER MITSUBISHI MODEL YEARS, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1500. THEY SAID THERE SHOULD BE RECALL FOR SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING AS THIS BUT THERE ISN'T. THE OUTCOME COULD BE SIMILAR TO THE FORD PINTO GAS TANK DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE INJURY AND DEATH OF MANY PEOPLE BEFORE A RECALL WAS ISSUED NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579658

95,000 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Visibility

TEMPERATURE KNOB BROKE OFF AFTER GETTING STUCK. SOUNDS LIKE THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. I GOT AN ESTIMATE TO FIX IT FROM THE DEALER. OVER $2000. MAJOR ISSUE IN THE WINTER FOR DEFROST/HEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548666

200,000 miles · Jun 10, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516124

104,000 miles · Apr 8, 2013
StructureSuspensionVisibility/wiper

I PURCHASED MY 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER IN FEBRUARY, 2013 WITH 104,000 MILES ON IT. AT FIRST EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, BUT AFTER 2 WEEKS THE BACK END OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SQUEAKS AND MAKES LOTS OF NOISE. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY DO IT A LITTLE BUT IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS IT CONSTANTLY MAKES NOISE, W…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER IN FEBRUARY, 2013 WITH 104,000 MILES ON IT. AT FIRST EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, BUT AFTER 2 WEEKS THE BACK END OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SQUEAKS AND MAKES LOTS OF NOISE. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY DO IT A LITTLE BUT IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS IT CONSTANTLY MAKES NOISE, WHICH IS VERY ANNOYING. I THINK THE DEALERSHIP MUST HAVE DONE A QUICK CHEAP FIX ON IT SO WHEN I TEST DROVE IT, IT WOULD NOT DO IT UNTIL IT WAS PURCHASED. I ALSO HAVE WATER SEEPING IN IN THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND WATER COMING THROUGH THE DASH AREA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN IT RAINS OR IN A CAR WASH. I READ ONLINE THAT THAT CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH WORRY'S ME. MY HEAD LIGHTS ALSO HAVE CRACKS AND FOGGED UP AND MAKES IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT, WHICH I'VE SEEN TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR WAS NEVER RECALLED FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS IT HAS, THIS IS RIDICULOUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507543

112,000 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE COTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER SOME TIME THE KNOB DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE COTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER SOME TIME THE KNOB DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10479403

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.