Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Owners filed 19 complaints about the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA between Oct 2005 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is suspension (9).

Complaints
19
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension9
  2. Structure3
  3. Power train3
  4. Steering2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Exterior lighting1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Visibility1
  9. Engine1
  10. Air bags1
  11. Other / unknown2

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 Oct 28, 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
20052
20062
20070
20080
20090
20100
20110
20121
20131
20141
20152
20163
20171
20183
20190
20201
20210
20221
20230
20240
20250
20261

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

9 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“This vehicle recieved the [XXX] recall treatment in 2019 but the crossmember snapped anyway in april 2026. It snapped all the way through on the driverside causing the wheel to go completely sideways pulling out the cv axle with it, smashing into the wheel well and fender making the driverside door inoperable, and causing the TOTAL loss of control and needed emergency towing off the roadway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11757335

Structure

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE DRIVER'S FEET. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL HAD SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS CAMBERED IN AND RESTING ON THE FRONT FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM EXTREME CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.*DT*BF*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VHEICLE IS NOW REPAIRED. *AS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2020Suspension, StructureODI 11366603

Power train

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2015Power train, Electrical systemODI 10733961

Steering

2 reports1 crash
“MY CAR IS PART OF A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO CORROSION OF THE CROSS MEMBERS OF MY VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE RECALL MY VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO THE CROSS MEMBERS FAILING. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE I WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE FRAME SNAPPED IN 2. THERE WAS A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE FRAME SPLITTING AND MANY OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE AFFECTED. NOW MITSUBISHI IS EXPECTING ME TO PAY FOR SOME OF THE ALTERNATIVE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS ACCIDENT. THEY ARE ASKING ME TO PAY FOR DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE FOR A TOTAL OF $1,700. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND LOCAL DEALER WITH NO SUCCESS. THE CAR WAS IN PERFECTLY FINE WORKING CONDITION PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND I AM JUST ASKING FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED AND RETURNED TO ME IN THE SAME CONDITION IT WAS BEFORE THE FAILURE. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS WHILE WAITING FOR THEM TO FINISH THE REPAIRS. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THEM. I AM HOPING YOU CAN HELP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2017Steering, Suspension, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 10948149

Electrical system

2 reports
“TAIL LIGHTS WORK SPORADICALLY. SOMETIMES THEY WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THE MOTOR FAN IS ON ALL THE TIME. PROBLEM IS A AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH BOARD. THEY HAD A RECALL ON IT IN AUSTRALIA.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10908773

Exterior lighting

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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