RoadVitals

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Aug 25, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
38%
of 52 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Suspension
Filed Aug 25, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11481129
Incident
Jun 23, 2022
Mileage
180,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 5, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11435602
Incident
Jun 21, 2020
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 29, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11367002
Incident
Oct 15, 2020
Mileage
141,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 24, 2020

REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH WHILE MOVING SLOWLY IN DRIVEWAY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL TO MISALIGN, MAKING THE CAR UNABLE TO MOVE. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE REAR SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11311118
Incident
Feb 10, 2020
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 3, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
10926908
Incident
Aug 29, 2016
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Nov 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED AND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME SHOWED SEVERE AND EXTREME RUST. WALPOLE MITSUBISHI (575 BOSTON PROVIDENCE HWY, EAST WALPOLE, MA 02032, (508) 660-7000) WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
11044948
Incident
Sep 30, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed May 1, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
10929089
Incident
Nov 20, 2015
Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2017

WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE, I HEARD A LOUD SOUND LIKE I HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING METAL, WHEN I GOT OUT TO CHECK THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS LEANING OUT. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND WAS TOLD THE REAR CONTROL ARM RUSTED AND BROKE IN HALF. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE FRONT CONTROL ARM RUSTING BUT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT ARM WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA ID
10947406
Incident
Oct 20, 2016
Suspension
Filed Dec 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10936282
Incident
Nov 9, 2016
Suspension
Filed Oct 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REMEDIED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION), THE DEALER OBSERVED THAT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND CREATED HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10918799
Incident
Oct 5, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 10, 2016

I'VE EXPERIENCED A CREAKING, LOOSE-RUSTY-BUCKET SQUEAK IN THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE. THE NOISE IS MOSTLY HEARD FROM A STOP TO ACCELERATING < 20MPH OR DRIVING OVER UNEVEN PAYMENT. THE SOUND IS JUST EMBARASSING FROM THE OUTSIDE AND ANNOYING ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULDN'T CALL THE NOISE A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN DRIVING FINE, BUT I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND ITNOTICED MUCH TO CONCERN A DEF

NHTSA ID
10915079
Incident
Apr 5, 2014
Suspension
Filed Oct 9, 2016

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: OPENS NEW WINDOW TAKES AWAY FROM VIN LOOKUP SECTION> 16V458 RECALL DATE: AUGUST 19, 2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: SR-16-003 SUMMARY: THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SURFACES OF THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS USED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF EXPOSED LONG TERM TO SNOW MELT WATER AND ANTI-FREEZING AGENTS, MAY CORRODE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PERFORMANCE OF THE RUST PROTECTION. SHOULD SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OCCUR OVER TIME, A LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD EVENTUALLY BECOME DETACHED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POTENTIAL COLLISION. SAFETY RISK: SHOULD SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OCCUR OVER TIME, A LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD EVENTUALLY BECOME DETACHED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POTENTIAL COLLISION. REMEDY: REPAIR NOT YET AVAILABLE. RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10914952
Incident
Oct 9, 2016
Mileage
74,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE GAVE WAY AND DISCONNECTED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE BECAME IMMOBILIZED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,484.

NHTSA ID
10911261
Incident
Jun 22, 2016
Mileage
96,484 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 30, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10899629
Incident
Aug 24, 2016
Mileage
143,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 13, 2015

SUB FRAME BROKE IN HALF

NHTSA ID
10733550
Incident
Jul 10, 2015
Mileage
92,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 14, 2008

REAR WHEELS TOE IN. REAR CONTROL BUSHING SEEMS TO BE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACING. MY WIFE'S FORMER CAR, A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLYART, HAD SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OVER OTHER MITSUBISHI CARS WITH SIMILAR LOOKING PROBLEMS. SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSES MY MITSUBISHI. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234218
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
40,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A WOBBLING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BUSHING AND UPPER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 30,000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND THE SAME REPAIRS WERE MADE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ID
10168393
Incident
Sep 15, 2006
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Jan 3, 2006

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 ID
10146812
Incident
Jan 3, 2006
Suspension
Filed Apr 1, 2004

WHEN DRIVING IN THE SNOW, THE CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITH LITTLE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10057458
Incident
Jan 27, 2004
Mileage
200 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 28, 2003

THE OUTLANDER HAS THE TENDENCY TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. A QUICK CHECK ON THE WEBSITE REVEALED MANY CAR OWNERS FACED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS IDENTIFIED TO THE ACTUATOR LATCH MECHANISM OF THE STEERING MECHANISM. THIS PROBLEM US WELL KNOWN TO JAPAN & ASIA. I AM EXTREMELY SURPRISED THAT IT IS NOT KNOWN TO US AT ALL. ALL THE TIME, I HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE SUV STRAIGHT!!! *AK

NHTSA ID
10051213
Incident
Nov 10, 2003
Mileage
900 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .