2003 Mitsubishi Outlander: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 116 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (22% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle came to an immediate stop and did not return to normal operation. The contact noticed that the front control arm had detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in the recall but already had been serviced under the recall; however, the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 188,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2024
“Rear control arms are rusted through, there was a recall for the front and had the repairs done. The front control arm recall was due to poor rust proofing during manufacturing. The rear has the same problem. Cannot realign rear wheels and rear sway bar bracket broke free entirely. Vehicle is now stationary as it cannot be driven.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2019
“Car has been owned for 10+ years and has been maintained very well. Gas mileage has dropped since 2014. Car threw a p420 code in the years after. Catalytic converter has been replaced four times in a year. Oxygen sensor has been replaced and new exhaust has been installed. We have now seen the exhaust manifold has a crack in it. This appears to be a manufacturer issue.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000(suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Dorsett automotive in terre haute, in refused to perform the repair because the passenger side outer tie rod and lower control arm needed to be repaired before the recall repair could be completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the components had to be repaired before the remedy could be performed. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. While attempting to check under the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear frame was rotted. The vehicle was taken to cherry hill mitsubishi at (856) 471-1057 (1805 marlton pike w, cherry hill, nj 08002) where it was diagnosed that the rear frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the seat belt retractor mechanism fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,241.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that the rear suspension and cross member were corroded. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that a travel-arm hubbering was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to be inspected for NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension), the technician informed that the front cross member was corroded and needed to be replaced however, the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The contact stated that the recall should also cover the frame that held the rear axle, which the contact stated was more rusted than the front frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall did not cover the rear frame. The failure mileage was 193,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000(suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER COULD ENTER THE FRONT FLOORBOARD AREA FROM OPENINGS IN THE SIDE SILL OR UPPER DASH AREA. THIS WATER COULD COLLECT UNDER THE SEAT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL CORROSION TO OCCUR IN THE HARNESS CONNECTORS THAT CONTAIN THE WIRING FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER, SIDE AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR, AND STOP LAMPS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SIDE SILLS AND DASH PANEL FOR OPENINGS THAT MAY ALLOW WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. IN ADDITION TO SEALING ANY OPENINGS THAT MAY BE FOUND, THE WIRING CONNECTORS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF ELECTRICAL CORROSION. THE FLOOR HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED IF IT HAS ANY SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE OR ELECTRICAL CORROSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, ICE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE THROTTLE VALVE. THIS ICE BUILD-UP COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK OR NOT TO RETURN TO IDLE AFTER ACCELERATING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER TO ELIMINATE THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.
Remedy: A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Outlander by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most complained-about area is suspension (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.