2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (15) · Structure:body (5) · Exterior Lighting (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
39 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2016-06-23 · campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles
Defect: 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 Co
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.
Service bulletins (56)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2022-12-07 · TECH TALK 271 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly 2022-10-10 · TECH TALK 270 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Showing the 6 most recent of 56 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-08-25 · Suspension · 180,000 mi“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 availa…”
2021-10-05 · Unknown Or Other“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.…”
2020-10-29 · Suspension · 141,000 mi“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.…”
2020-02-24 · Suspension · 135,000 mi“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.…”
2018-11-23 · Structure:body · 147,087 mi“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 sta…”
2018-04-03 · 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…”
2017-11-09 · Suspension · 170,000 mi“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. …”
2017-10-20 · Structure:body · 169,214 mi“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 b…”
2017-05-19 · Air Bags · 280,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 p…”
2017-05-01 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.