Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
725–50K
550–75K
475–100K
6100–150K
7150K+
39 reports with mileage · 13 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 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 7 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 reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
52 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2006
SteeringCrashInjury
VEHICLE VIBRATED BADLY AND HAD A TENDENCY TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. VERY BAD ACCIDENT OCCURRED JULY 12, 2006. ONE CAR ACCIDENT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS. A WOMAN DRIVING BEHIND HER SAID THEY HAD BEEN DRIVING NORMALLY, NO SPEEDING OR WEAVING, WHEN MY WIFE'S OUTLANDER SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT, HIT A LA…
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VEHICLE VIBRATED BADLY AND HAD A TENDENCY TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. VERY BAD ACCIDENT OCCURRED JULY 12, 2006. ONE CAR ACCIDENT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS. A WOMAN DRIVING BEHIND HER SAID THEY HAD BEEN DRIVING NORMALLY, NO SPEEDING OR WEAVING, WHEN MY WIFE'S OUTLANDER SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT, HIT A LARGE CURB AND FLEW THROUGH THE AIR, LANDING AND ROLLING ON TO THE SIDE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10166651
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2006
Exterior Lighting
BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON OUR 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER ARE CRACKED IN A SIMILAR PATTERN, BOTTOM OUTER CORNER TO UPPER INSIDE CORNER, THERE ARE 2 -3 CRACKS ON EACH HEADLIGHT. THIS WAS NOT DONE BY ROCKS, OR ANY COLLISION, CONSIDERING THEY ARE SO SIMILAR IN APPEARANCE ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS, IT MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC COVERINGS. WE…
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BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON OUR 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER ARE CRACKED IN A SIMILAR PATTERN, BOTTOM OUTER CORNER TO UPPER INSIDE CORNER, THERE ARE 2 -3 CRACKS ON EACH HEADLIGHT. THIS WAS NOT DONE BY ROCKS, OR ANY COLLISION, CONSIDERING THEY ARE SO SIMILAR IN APPEARANCE ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS, IT MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC COVERINGS. WE HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THESE, SINCE THE ESTIMATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM CONSISTS OF REPLACING THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT, COSTING ALMOST $600.00 PER HEADLIGHT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10165382
20,500 miles · Feb 23, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PULLING THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT ALL THE WAY OUT A FIVE INCH TEAR WAS DISCOVERED. IT APPEARED TO BE A CLEAN CUT AS WITH A KNIFE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A REPLACEMENT WAS ORDERED THREE WEEKS AGO, BUT HAS NOT ARRIVED.
NHTSA ODI #10150984
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
THERE IS A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS ENGINE NOISE (LOUD "TICKING, " CLICKING" NOISE) THIS ALL THE TIME. IT WAS TAKEN IN A NUMBER OF TIMES AND EVERY TIME SOMETHING WAS CHANGED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. THE NOISE IS STILL THERE! THE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR ERRATIC LOCK AND LIGHT FUNCTION…
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THERE IS A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS ENGINE NOISE (LOUD "TICKING, " CLICKING" NOISE) THIS ALL THE TIME. IT WAS TAKEN IN A NUMBER OF TIMES AND EVERY TIME SOMETHING WAS CHANGED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. THE NOISE IS STILL THERE! THE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR ERRATIC LOCK AND LIGHT FUNCTION, HOWEVER IT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND "SCUFFS" THE TIRES ( WE HAVE ROTATED THE TIRES AT ABOUT EVERY 1500 MILES TO TRY TO PREVENT THIS). I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD ALIGNMENT WAS OK, AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE! THERE IS ALSO A CONSTANT "THUMPING,CLUNKING" NOISE FROM FRONT END OVER BUMPS(WAS TOLD UNABLE TO FIX OR DUPLICATE). LASTLY, THIS VEHICLE HAS A INTERMITTENT SEVERE HESITATION OR SOMETIMES NO POWER. I WAS TOLD "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" AND EVERY THING WAS OK WITH THE VEHICLE. ALL THE WORK WAS DONE BY THE DEALER WERE I PURCHASED IT, AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE TIRED OF SEEING ME! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146812
39,000 miles · Sep 21, 2005
Exterior Lighting
FAILURE OF TURN SIGNAL / EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHTS. RELAY SWITCH BURNED OUT. CAR HAS 39000 MILES AND IS 20 MONTHS . OLD DEALER AND DISTRIBUTOR CLAIM NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I CLAIM IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10137213
500 miles · Jan 22, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION, WITHOUT ENGAGING A GEAR CHANGE, ENGINE? WILL LOSE COMPRESSION/POWER, TACH FALL 500-700 RPS AS SPEEDOMETER RISES. ENGINE TICKS. INTERMITTENT WIPERS SPEED DECREASES WHEN VEHICLE AT STOP, AIR CIRCULATION FAN SPEED DECREASES WHEN VEHICLE AT STOP, BRAKES MAKING NOISE. DESPITE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT D…
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UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION, WITHOUT ENGAGING A GEAR CHANGE, ENGINE? WILL LOSE COMPRESSION/POWER, TACH FALL 500-700 RPS AS SPEEDOMETER RISES. ENGINE TICKS. INTERMITTENT WIPERS SPEED DECREASES WHEN VEHICLE AT STOP, AIR CIRCULATION FAN SPEED DECREASES WHEN VEHICLE AT STOP, BRAKES MAKING NOISE. DESPITE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, NO ONE RETURNS MY CALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10107717
22,000 miles · Dec 29, 2004
Tires
I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER TO THE AIRPORT LAST NIGHT TO PICK UP MY KIDS. WHILE DRIVING 60 IN THE MIDDLE LANE, MY FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. I FORTUNATELY WAS NOT HIT WHEN MY CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND I PULLED OVER. THEY HAVE YOKAHAMA TIRES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 22000 MILES AND WE HAVE ROTATED THE TIRES. WHEN I CHE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER TO THE AIRPORT LAST NIGHT TO PICK UP MY KIDS. WHILE DRIVING 60 IN THE MIDDLE LANE, MY FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. I FORTUNATELY WAS NOT HIT WHEN MY CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND I PULLED OVER. THEY HAVE YOKAHAMA TIRES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 22000 MILES AND WE HAVE ROTATED THE TIRES. WHEN I CHECKED THE FRONT TIRES, THEY ARE COMPLETELY WORN. SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. I CALLED DON HERRING MITSUBISHI IN PLANO TX TO SEE WHAT THEY WOULD DO AND THEY JUST PUSHED IT OFF ON THE TIRE COMPANY AND SAID I'D HAVE TO FIND A RETAILER OF THOSE TYPES OF TIRES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NEW ON THE CAR. THIS WAS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I SUSPECT NO ONE IS GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10104698
20 miles · Oct 27, 2004
Air BagsCrash
ON 10/17/04, I WAS WAS REAR ENDED. THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN. MODEL MITSHUBISHI OUTLANDER 2003. MY BODY JERKED AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE STEERING WHEEL. YES! I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10096469
2,000 miles · Jun 15, 2004
Steering
(1) STEERING IS LOOSE. VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT EITHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. EXCESSIVE VIBRATION EVEN THOUGH THE DEFECT DID NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENT OR NEED ANY PARTS REPLACEMENT, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE MANUFACTURER DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM IN ASIA. I AM SURPRISED NORTH AMERICA IS NOT NOTIFIED. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10078297
200 miles · May 21, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM. THE STEERING IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *AK
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE CARIBBEAN, DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ELECTRONIC TIMING AND CONTROL SYSTEM (ETACS), WHILE USING THE INTERMITTENT WIPER MODE, THE INTERMITTENT WIPER SWEEP TIME INTERVAL MAY INCREASE AS MUCH AS 6.8 SECOND BETWEEN WIPER SWEEPS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS DURING SEVERE WEATHER AND DURING VEHICLE'S HIGH-SPEED OPERATION, THE DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ETACS MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 14, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.
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.
2004 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year