2005 Mitsubishi Outlander: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 18 owner complaints on record; most reports concern suspension.
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 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2018
“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 just like how the front was rusty”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2018
“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 was diagnosed that the front cross member had fractured due to rusting. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 136,000. *tt *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2017
Show 7 more owner 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 report · Power Train · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. The contact was unable to use the window defroster or adjust the temperature setting from hot to cool. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2014
“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 report · Electrical System · Sep 2014
“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 campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 15 mph, the vehicle failed to respond to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,500.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 15 mph. In addition, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where a diagnostic was performed that located the failure at the accelerator pedal position sensor. The local mechanic installed a manifold absolute pressure sensor to the engine however the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The acceleration failure was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2012
“Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked outside in rainy weather, upon entering the vehicle, moderate amounts of rainwater was present in the front driver side floorboard. The doors or windows were not open prior to the incident. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the leak originated from the front driver side door water barrier trim. The dealer resealed the water barrier trim along the left front driver side door. Afterwards, the problem persisted. The manufacturer was alerted.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 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 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most complained-about area is suspension.
Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower arm. 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.