2004 Mitsubishi Outlander: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 52 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (27% of complaints); the 2005 and 2006 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 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 report · Suspension · Jun 2022
“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 report · Steering · Oct 2020
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2020
“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 by mitsubishi. *js”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2017
“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 report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mitsubishi outlander. While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a loud noise from the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle stalled and was unable to be driven. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not repaired. The dealer diagnosed that the front cross members fractured and needed replacement. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2016
“I noticed excessive play in the left front of my car which is a safety issue so I brought it to courtesy auto group in south attleboro ma. And they found that it needs lower control arm due to corrosion. I looked underneath the car when I got it home and found severe corrosion on the cross members and the corrosion is from front to back underneath the car and is becoming a real safety issue. I believe mitsubishi should have this problem fixed because lots of people have had this issue due to faulty anti corrosion”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2016
“When I started the car and put it in reverse, I heard a loud sound like I had ran over something metal, when I got out to check the left rear tire was leaning out. I had someone look at it and was told the rear control arm rusted and broke in half. I was unable to drive the car and had to have it towed. I received a recall for the front control arm rusting but was told by the dealer that the front arm was not included.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mitsubishi outlander. While the vehicle was being remedied per NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension), the dealer observed that the rear cross member was severely corroded and created holes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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 LOCATED IN THE CARIBBEAN, DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ELECTRONIC TIMING AND CONTROL SYSTEM (ETACS), WHILE USING THE INTERMITTENT WIPER MODE, THE INTERMITTENT WIPER SWEEP TIME INTERVAL MAY INCREASE AS MUCH AS 6.8 SECOND BETWEEN WIPER SWEEPS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ETACS MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 14, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.
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.
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 2004 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 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
NHTSA has 52 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most complained-about area is suspension (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander have open recalls?
4 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.