Model year record

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls & problems

The 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander has 4 safety recalls and 52 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (20 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints52filed by owners

Crashes · fires10 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionJun 23, 2016

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 16V458000194,674 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentSep 1, 2004

Other › Labels

Recall 04V428000100,432 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: 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.

Trailer hitchesApr 26, 2004

Trailer hitches

Recall 04V1970002,175 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

VisibilityNov 3, 2003

Windshield wiper/washer

Recall 03V429000394 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ETACS MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 14, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Outlander 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Outlander 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S4) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionRear; Front › Control arm › Lower arm	20	0	0	96,484 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members	8	2	1	169,214 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	7	7	4	57,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	6	0	0	29,000 mi
Exterior lightingHazard flashing warning lights › Unit; Headlights › Concealment devices	6	0	0	39,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	5	1	1	2,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	3	0	0	34,400 mi
Electrical system	2	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	2	0	0	—
Seat beltsRear/other	2	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	2	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
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 driverâs 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.
Jun 23, 2022 · 180,000 miles
Suspension
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.
Jun 21, 2020
Steering
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.
Oct 15, 2020 · 141,000 miles
Suspension
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.
Feb 10, 2020 · 135,000 miles
Structure › Body
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…
Oct 23, 2018 · 147,087 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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
Aug 29, 2016
Structure › Body
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…
Sep 30, 2017 · 170,000 miles
Structure › Body
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT CROSS BODY REGARDING RUST AND CORROSION. MY FRONT CROSS BODY FAILED WITH TOTAL RUST THROUGH. MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE REAR CROSS BODY IS ALSO AFFECTED AND HAS A RUST THROUGH HOLE THE SIZE OF MY FIST. MITSUBISHI HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE REAR. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY MITSUBISHI. *JS
Oct 19, 2017 · 169,214 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.