Problems · NHTSA complaints

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Owners filed 52 complaints about the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA between Dec 2003 and Aug 2022. The most-cited component is suspension (20).

Complaints
52
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension20
  2. Structure8
  3. Air bags7
  4. Exterior lighting6
  5. Engine and engine cooling6
  6. Steering5
  7. Power train3
  8. Engine2
  9. Service brakes2
  10. Vehicle speed control2
  11. Seat belts2
  12. Fuel system, gasoline2
  13. Visibility2
  14. Electrical system2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20031
20045
20052
20065
20073
20083
20094
20103
20110
20121
20132
20141
20152
20169
20175
20182
20190
20202
20211
20221

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Suspension

20 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2022SuspensionODI 11481129

Structure

8 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2018StructureODI 11153299

Air bags

7 reports7 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2017Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10990553

Exterior lighting

6 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2013Exterior lightingODI 10509209

Engine and engine cooling

6 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF IT REMAINED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,000. UPDATED 09/16/09 *BF UPDATED 09/17/09.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2009Engine and engine coolingODI 10280813

Steering

5 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2020Steering, SuspensionODI 11367002
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.