2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (6) · Power Train (3) · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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 (49)
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 49 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-17 · Suspension“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 …”
2022-03-07 · Suspension · 91,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mitsubishi outlander. the contact stated that while his mother owned the vehicle, she received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). she took the vehicle to a dealer and upon inspection of the vehicle, the dealer found no defect with the lower control arm and sprayed an anti-rust agent on the part to…”
2020-10-27 · Suspension:front:control Arm · 198,000 mi“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 seiz…”
2018-07-04 · Suspension · 205,000 mi“while driving along a paved rural road in a moderate left turn at approximately 25 mph the lower left rear control arm detached from the rear cross member. this noticeably affected the handling of the vehicle and caused the tire to contact the body of the vehicle. the rear cross member was found severely rusted.…”
2018-03-02 · Suspension · 136,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. while driving approximately 20 mph and making a left turn, the steering malfunctioned and the vehicle would not turn. after stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the two front wheels were positioned in opposite directions. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it w…”
2018-01-07 · Suspension · 5 mi“my front crossmember and control arms were rusted out i pay cash to get it fixed now it's under a recall now my rear cross member in control arms are rusted in mitsubishi won't fix the car i tried too pay cash and they turn me down the front crossmember was under a recall so the rear crossmember should be under a recall as well the rear is rusty …”
2017-01-28 · Unknown Or Other · 110,000 mi · 💥 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 pa…”
2016-12-14 · Suspension · 150,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. while driving 20 mph, the contact lost control of the steering wheel and crashed. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the air bags did not deploy. a police report was filed and there were no injuries. the vehicle was destroyed and towed to a scrap yard. the vehicle was included in nhtsa c…”
2016-09-22 · Unknown Or Other · 99,000 mi“the control knob for the a/c to heat freezes so that it cannot be turned. repairs cost around $900.…”
2016-09-22 · Exterior Lighting · 60,000 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.