Total Complaints
73 filings
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER · model year
73 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004MITSUBISHIOUTLANDER carries 73 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 OUTLANDER is suspension with 16 filings, followed by structure:body (7) and steering (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2004 OUTLANDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
73 filings
Crashes Reported
13 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 16 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
TRAILER HITCHES
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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,
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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.
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 driverâs 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.
Mileage: 180,000
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.
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.
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.
Mileage: 141,000
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.
Mileage: 141,000
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.
Mileage: 135,000
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 STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ALREADY RUSTED WHEN THE ANTI-CORROSION FLUID WAS APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE DISTRICT MANAGER WAS TO CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE MANUFACTURER REMOVED THE ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE CONTACT'S VIN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,087.
Mileage: 147,087
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
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
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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME SHOWED SEVERE AND EXTREME RUST. WALPOLE MITSUBISHI (575 BOSTON PROVIDENCE HWY, EAST WALPOLE, MA 02032, (508) 660-7000) WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME SHOWED SEVERE AND EXTREME RUST. WALPOLE MITSUBISHI (575 BOSTON PROVIDENCE HWY, EAST WALPOLE, MA 02032, (508) 660-7000) WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
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
Mileage: 169,214
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.
Mileage: 280,000
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 CRADLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SNAPPED BACK INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT, THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT RESPONDED. UPDATED 05/1/2017 *JS
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 CRADLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SNAPPED BACK INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT, THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT RESPONDED. UPDATED 05/1/2017 *JS
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.
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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED IT AS HAVING CORROSION ISSUES. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND STATED IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE CONTACT PAID $1,711.02 OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS BECAUSE A NOTICE WAS NOT RECEIVED UNTIL AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
Mileage: 140,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.