2004 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension2027.8%
- Engine811.1%
- Body & structure811.1%
- Airbags79.7%
- Exterior lighting68.3%
- Steering56.9%
- Fuel system34.2%
- Transmission34.2%
- Brakes22.8%
- Visibility22.8%
- Driver assistance22.8%
- Seat belts22.8%
- Electrical22.8%
- Other / unspecified11.4%
- Tires & wheels11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the front subframe detached. The contact stated that the driver’s side front wheel was pointing outwards. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The entire undercarriage is rusted out, it was taken to Ricart near columbus ohio where they simply sprayed an anti rust coating over the existing rust. There is now rusted holes and the vehicle has spun out driving in straight due to control arm issues and whatever else. The vehicle is not believed to be road safe and needs to be addressed.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM / ENGINE CRADLE MALFUNCTION. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ON NOVEMBER 20, 2015 THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BROKE AWAY FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SNAPPED BACK INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT, THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT RESPONDED. UPDATED 05/1/2017 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE GAUGING SYSTEM WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DES MOINES MITSUBISHI (4475 MERLE HAY RD, DES MOINES, IA 50310, (515) 270-8100) FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR THAT INVOLVED EITHER REPLACING THE SUBFRAME OR APPLYING AN ANTI-CORROSION FLUID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ALREADY RUSTED WHEN THE ANTI-CORROSION FLUID WAS APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE DISTRICT MANAGER WAS TO CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE MANUFACTURER REMOVED THE ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE CONTACT'S VIN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,087.
2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CORROSION RECALL NOTICE INSTRUCTION ISSUES - DEALERSHIP APPLIED CORROSION SPRAY TO FRONT CROSS MEMBER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BEFORE CONSULTING CONSUMER. *SMD *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THROUGH A ROUNDABOUT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT PASSENGER PULLED THE MIDDLE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER FOUR TIMES AND LANDED ON ITS ROOF. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000.
I WAS INVOLCED IN A SERVE ACCIDENT AND HIT ON PASSAGENGER SIDE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEFLAT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER MOVING TO TEXAS THE VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION ALERTED ME TO THE SEVERELY DEGRADED HEADLIGHT LENS ON BOTH SIDES. I HAVE RESTORED THE SURFACE AND SEALED THE CRACKS NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THEY ARE IN NEED OF RESTORATION OR REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THE LENS ALONE IS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY COSTS OVER $200.00 EACH. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2003 AT THE SAME TIME I BOUGHT MY FORD F150 AND PARKED BESIDE THE TRUCK EVERY DAY FOR MORE THAN NINE YEARS. THE LENS ON MY FORD IS STILL CRYSTAL CLEAR, NO CRACKS AND LOOKS TO BE NEW. THE LENS ON MY MITSUBISHI IS CLOUDY, CRACKED AND CAUSES MY HEADLIGHTS TO BE VERY DIM. IF NOT FOR THE POLYMER SEALER I AM SURE THERE WOULD BE WATER INTRUSION WHICH WOULD LEAD TO HEADLAMP FAILURE. *TR
NUMEROUS CRACKS AND SOME CRAZING IN BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES ON MY QW 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WHERE IT BOLTS TO THE K FRAME RUSTED AWAY COMPLETLY RESULTING IN THE FRONT DRIVERS TIRE TO COME OFF. WAS IN A GET IN GO PARKING LOT TURNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED LUCKLY NO ONE WAS HURT.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL FUMES STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKED GAS AND OMIT GAS FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. UPDATED 10/05/2012 *JS
I HAVE A 2004 OUTLANDER AN I HAVE MANY THING WRONG LIKE THE HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF THE BACK WINDOWS FELL BUT MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AN ILL LOSE THE THROTTLE. IN TRAFFIC THIS IS PRETTY SCARY. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CAR IS TIP TOP. 80,000 MILES NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS TILL THIS, I'VE DONE THE GAS CLICKING THING TO THE GAS CAP. ALL THE FLUIDS ARE FULL AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET POWER BACK IS BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF AN ON 5 TIMES TO REST THE COMPUTER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I FELT A SLIGHT DISTURBANCE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THEN A MINUTE LATER THE TRANNIE SLIPPED I PULLED OVER AND THE FLUID WAS POURING OUT OF. AUTHORIZED DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TRANS OIL COOLER. NO EVIDENCE OF HOW THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR IT OUT OF POCKET FOR IT AND I STILL HAVE MY POWERTRAIN WTY. *TR
SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 2004 MISTSUBISH OUTLANDER. ALL FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, EXCEPT LATEST PROBLEM. CAR WON'T RUN. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. CAR SHAKES AND ENGINE CUTS COMPLETELY OUT. DEALERSHIP NOT COOPERATING, FIXED THE WRONG THING, ENGINE STILL CUTS OUT/STALLS, NOW SAYING I "OVERFILLED THE GAS TANK, RUINING THE CHARCOAL FUEL CANISTER." THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY?! THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER REASON THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE NEVER OVERFILLED OR TOPPED OFF MY GAS. I THINK THEY MESSED IT UP, OR PERHAPS THE GAUGES ARE WRONG. IF THE GAUGES ARE WRONG, IT'S A FACTORY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY!!!! *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND NOTED THAT THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKY SOUND WORSENS WHEN DRIVING FROM THE BACK WITH ALOT OF RUST AND NOT BREAKING PROPERLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE GAUGING SYSTEM WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2004 OUTLANDER AN I HAVE MANY THING WRONG LIKE THE HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF THE BACK WINDOWS FELL BUT MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AN ILL LOSE THE THROTTLE. IN TRAFFIC THIS IS PRETTY SCARY. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CAR IS TIP TOP. 80,000 MILES NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS TILL THIS, I'VE DONE THE GAS CLICKING THING TO THE GAS CAP. ALL THE FLUIDS ARE FULL AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET POWER BACK IS BY TURNING THE TRUCK OFF AN ON 5 TIMES TO REST THE COMPUTER. *TR
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I CRASHED MY OUTLANDER IN MY PARKING LOT, I WAS PARKING SLOWLY, PUSHING THE BRAKE SLOWLY, THE CAR WAS AT THE FINAL POSITION IN MY SPOT AND SUDDENLY THE CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE TREE WAS ABOUT 1 METER DISTANT FROM MY CAR...IM 100% SURE THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HAD ANOTHER SIMILAR EPISODE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, ALSO IN MY GARAGE, BUT A THAT TIME I WAS READY TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO GO THE DOOR AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE VERY FAST WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, BUT FORTUNATELY I HAD PLENTY SPACE TO REACT, NOT THIS SECOND TIME, BUT WE ARE HUMANS AND THE FIRST REACTION IS TO THINK THAT WE MADE A MISTAKE, BUT NO ,IM 100% SURE THAT I DID NOT PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR..AND WITH THIS SECOND INCIDENT I WAS CRAZY THINKING EVERY MINUTE IN WHAT HAPPENED, AND IN THE POSSIBILITY THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITH LESS FORTUNE AND WITH ME AND OTHER PEOPLE INJURED OR DEATH. THIS THING WAS VERY VERY CONFUSING. I WAS PARKING SLOWLY, THE CAR WAS NEAR THE 0 MILES, THE CAR WAS AT THE FINAL POSITION IN MY SPOT, AND WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 0 MILES MY CAR ADVANCE WITH SUPER SPEED TOWARD A TREE IN 2 SECONDS... THE TREE WAS 1 METER DISTANT TO MY CAR AND THE INSURANCE GIVE ME A TOTAL LOSS. THIS CAR IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS, PLEASE DONT BUY THIS CAR IF YOU SEE IT AGAIN IN THE MARKET . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL SIGNS. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE AGENCY ASSUMED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY PROPERLY. FROTH PASSENGER SEALBELT UNBUCKLED UPON CRASH IMPACT. *TR
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 2004 MISTSUBISH OUTLANDER. ALL FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, EXCEPT LATEST PROBLEM. CAR WON'T RUN. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. CAR SHAKES AND ENGINE CUTS COMPLETELY OUT. DEALERSHIP NOT COOPERATING, FIXED THE WRONG THING, ENGINE STILL CUTS OUT/STALLS, NOW SAYING I "OVERFILLED THE GAS TANK, RUINING THE CHARCOAL FUEL CANISTER." THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY?! THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER REASON THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE NEVER OVERFILLED OR TOPPED OFF MY GAS. I THINK THEY MESSED IT UP, OR PERHAPS THE GAUGES ARE WRONG. IF THE GAUGES ARE WRONG, IT'S A FACTORY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY!!!! *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .