NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
116 reports64,225 miles · Nov 26, 2007
EquipmentSuspension
WHEN CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED TOLD DEALER IT FELT LIKE BACK END WAS KICKIN OUT ON WET ROADS,TOOK IT DEALER WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CAR SPUN OUT ON WAY TO WORK DUE TO BLOW OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WERE UPPER AND LOWER LATS. WERE REPLACED.(NO OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE) CAR SEEMED OK FOR SEVERAL MO…
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WHEN CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED TOLD DEALER IT FELT LIKE BACK END WAS KICKIN OUT ON WET ROADS,TOOK IT DEALER WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CAR SPUN OUT ON WAY TO WORK DUE TO BLOW OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WERE UPPER AND LOWER LATS. WERE REPLACED.(NO OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE) CAR SEEMED OK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT WHICH POINT IT BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIDING AROUND IN REAR END AGAIN. AGAIN DEALER CHECKED FOUND NOTHING.. MY HUSBAND THREW A FIT WITH DEALER AT WHICH POINT A BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED(PART NOT AVAILABLE), IN MY OPINION ONLY TO PACIFY US. THE CAR HAS STILL NEVER FELT RIGHT. AT WHICH POINT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO EVEN TALK TO US ABOUT THIS. NOW FOUR MONTHS AFTER HAVING FOUR NEW TIRES MOUNTED AND BALANCED I HAVE TWO REAR TIRES SO WORN AND DAMAGED THE BELTS ARE COMING THROUGH THEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A PRIVATE TECH.TO TRY TO FIND ANYTHING THAT MAY BE WRONG. I AM SCARED FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY EVERYTIME I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209993
113,000 miles · Nov 10, 2007
Steering
11/08/07 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR FAMILY TO MY SONS FOOTBALL PRACTICE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHIFTING LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE DASH BOARD. 11/09/07 MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS LITERALLY FLOPPING AROUND IN THE DASH BOARD, WHEN HE REMOVED THE DASH THE STEERING COLUMN FELL IN THE DRI…
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11/08/07 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR FAMILY TO MY SONS FOOTBALL PRACTICE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHIFTING LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE DASH BOARD. 11/09/07 MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS LITERALLY FLOPPING AROUND IN THE DASH BOARD, WHEN HE REMOVED THE DASH THE STEERING COLUMN FELL IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BROKE FREE FROM WERE IT IS BOLTED TO THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208572
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2007
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS HAVE NUMEROUS STRESS CRACKS, UNABLE TO GET 2007 INSPECTION DUE TO HEADLIGHTS. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, WAS GIVEN MITSUBISHI DISTRICT MANAGER NAME AND NUMBER, WILL NOT RETURN CALL. HEADLIGHTS NOW HAVE WATER INSIDE . HAVE TAKEN NUMEROUS PICTURES OF OTHER MITSUBISHI OUTLANDERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. WAS F…
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HEADLIGHTS HAVE NUMEROUS STRESS CRACKS, UNABLE TO GET 2007 INSPECTION DUE TO HEADLIGHTS. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, WAS GIVEN MITSUBISHI DISTRICT MANAGER NAME AND NUMBER, WILL NOT RETURN CALL. HEADLIGHTS NOW HAVE WATER INSIDE . HAVE TAKEN NUMEROUS PICTURES OF OTHER MITSUBISHI OUTLANDERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. WAS FIRST QUOTED $750.00 FOR REPLACEMENT, NOW QUOTED $850.00. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10205171
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2007
Exterior Lighting
I BOUGHT MY 2003 MITSIBUSHI OUTLANDER IN JANUARY 2005 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHOWING SOME STRESS CRACKS FROM THE HEADLAMP HEAT. I NOW HAVE 69,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE SEVER STRESS CRACKS IN THE LENSES THAT ARE EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS.…
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I BOUGHT MY 2003 MITSIBUSHI OUTLANDER IN JANUARY 2005 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHOWING SOME STRESS CRACKS FROM THE HEADLAMP HEAT. I NOW HAVE 69,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE SEVER STRESS CRACKS IN THE LENSES THAT ARE EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10200074
75,000 miles · Jul 16, 2007
Exterior Lighting
NO EVENTS. HEADLIGHT GLOBES ARE INADEQUATE. THEY CRACKED FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN POOR QUALITY. THIS ALLOWED MOISTURE TO INTER THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BULBS TO FAIL. PAID $850.00 TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT FOR FEAR OF TRAFFIC CITATIONS AND OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS. *…
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NO EVENTS. HEADLIGHT GLOBES ARE INADEQUATE. THEY CRACKED FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN POOR QUALITY. THIS ALLOWED MOISTURE TO INTER THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BULBS TO FAIL. PAID $850.00 TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT FOR FEAR OF TRAFFIC CITATIONS AND OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196481
30,000 miles · Feb 13, 2007
Seat BeltsSuspension
TL*- CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER, FOR WHICH HE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM 4 TIMES. FIRST TIME IT WAS AT 30,000 MILES, SECOND TIME AT 48,000 MILES, AND THE THIRD TIME AT 89,000 MILES, AND CURRENTLY AT 106,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP , ARNOLD AUTOMOTIVE GROU…
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TL*- CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER, FOR WHICH HE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM 4 TIMES. FIRST TIME IT WAS AT 30,000 MILES, SECOND TIME AT 48,000 MILES, AND THE THIRD TIME AT 89,000 MILES, AND CURRENTLY AT 106,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP , ARNOLD AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IN ROSEVILLE, MI 4 TIMES, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY THE PART KEPT GOING BAD. THE CONTACT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106000.*AK THE LEFT REAR SEAT BETL WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE SWAY BAR WERE REPLACED AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS WORN. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10182467
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2007
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE CRACKS IN THE HEADLIGHT LENS IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THERE HAS BEEN NO WRECKS, BANGS, OR BAD TREATMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY A SOURCE CLOSE TO THE COMPANY THAT THEY ARE STRESS FRACTURES, I AM CONCERNED THEY MAY BEGIN TO LEAK AND TAKE ON WATER. PLUS THEY ARE $400 EACH TO REPLACE. I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND ALL THEY WANTE…
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I HAVE CRACKS IN THE HEADLIGHT LENS IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THERE HAS BEEN NO WRECKS, BANGS, OR BAD TREATMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY A SOURCE CLOSE TO THE COMPANY THAT THEY ARE STRESS FRACTURES, I AM CONCERNED THEY MAY BEGIN TO LEAK AND TAKE ON WATER. PLUS THEY ARE $400 EACH TO REPLACE. I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND ALL THEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS WARRANTY. THEN I WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT DO RECALLS UNLESS YOU FOLKS BRING IT TO THEIR ATTENTION. ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED. I TALKED WITH LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER ABOUT IT IN MID DECEMBER 2006. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10178854
12,245 miles · Sep 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE COOLING FAN DID NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAN WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF W…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE COOLING FAN DID NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAN WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE MADE. THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE REPAIRS MADE.
NHTSA ODI #10167358
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
ON THE MORNING OF MAY 2, WHILE IT WAS RAINING A CAR THAT WAS TWO CARS IN FRONT OF MY WIFE DECIDED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED NOTICE; MY WIFE ENDS UP RUNNING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER AND SERIOUSLY DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS, HOWEVER DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE SUFFERED A CONTUSION ON…
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ON THE MORNING OF MAY 2, WHILE IT WAS RAINING A CAR THAT WAS TWO CARS IN FRONT OF MY WIFE DECIDED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED NOTICE; MY WIFE ENDS UP RUNNING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER AND SERIOUSLY DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS, HOWEVER DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE SUFFERED A CONTUSION ON HER HEAD. MY 17 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WAS ALSO IN THE CAR BUT WAS NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY ESTIMATES THAT THE REPAIRS WILL COST $8000 AND THE SENSORS FOR THE AIRBAGS WAS ONE OF THE PARTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE SENSOR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10157413
46,570 miles · Dec 29, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE RADIATOR BLEW APART WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUICKLY OVERHEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. UPON INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD ALSO CRACKED. HE WAS AWARE OF A POSSIBLE KNOWN ISSUE AND CONTACTED MITSUBISHI WHO VERIFIED A PROBLEM WITH T…
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THE RADIATOR BLEW APART WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUICKLY OVERHEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. UPON INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD ALSO CRACKED. HE WAS AWARE OF A POSSIBLE KNOWN ISSUE AND CONTACTED MITSUBISHI WHO VERIFIED A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING FAN CONTROLLER. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS AND NOT THE LABOR. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IF A DEFECTIVE PART CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING MUCH LESS OVER $1,100 IN LABOR.
NHTSA ODI #10146378
Official recalls
6Jun 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗