NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 52 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Mitsubishi Outlander owner complaints

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander, describing incidents dated November 10, 2003 to June 23, 2022.

Most-cited components

Suspension 20 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Structure 8 complaints
Air Bags 7 complaints
Exterior Lighting 6 complaints
Steering 5 complaints

Of the 52 complaints on file, 10 report a crash; across all 52 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11481129 · Filed August 25, 2022
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…
ODI #11435602 · Filed October 5, 2021
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…
ODI #11367002 · Filed October 29, 2020
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.

Read all 52 complaints

Lower Control Arm Detachment Due to Corrosion

NHTSA #16V458000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2016 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 194,674 vehicles

Repair completion: 18.15% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-16-003 · Owners notified September 14, 2016 · Vehicles built August 20, 2002 – June 1, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL

NHTSA #04V428000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

Potentially affected: 100,432 vehicles

Vehicles built August 1, 2002 – June 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THE MANUFACTURER'S PETITION WHICH REQUESTED THAT NHTSA DETERMINE THIS FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE DOES NOT CREATE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY WAS PARTIALLY DENIED ON JANUARY 26, 2005. THEREFORE, THIS MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO CONDUCT AN OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.

MITSUBISHI/TRAILER HITCH WIRING

NHTSA #04V197000 · Trailer Hitches · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2004 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 2,175 vehicles

Mitsubishi campaign SR-04-004 · Owners notified May 28, 2004

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

MITSUBISHI RECALL NO. SR-04-004.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/ETACS

NHTSA #03V429000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer · NHTSA notice

Reported November 3, 2003 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 394 vehicles

Owners notified November 14, 2003 · Vehicles built June 20, 2003 – July 11, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THIS OCCURS DURING SEVERE WEATHER AND DURING VEHICLE'S HIGH-SPEED OPERATION, THE DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ETACS MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 14, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

52 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander.

Suspension

ODI #11481129

Incident: June 23, 2022 · Filed: August 25, 2022

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.

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11435602

Incident: June 21, 2020 · Filed: October 5, 2021

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.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11367002

Incident: October 15, 2020 · Filed: October 29, 2020

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.

Suspension

ODI #11311118

Incident: February 10, 2020 · Filed: February 24, 2020

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.

Structure

ODI #11153299

Incident: October 23, 2018 · Filed: November 23, 2018

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.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11044948

Incident: September 30, 2017 · Filed: November 9, 2017

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.

Structure

ODI #11035319

Incident: October 19, 2017 · Filed: October 20, 2017

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

Air Bags

ODI #10990553

Crash

Incident: May 14, 2017 · Filed: May 19, 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.

Suspension

ODI #10947406

Incident: October 20, 2016 · Filed: January 24, 2017

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.

Suspension

ODI #10936282

Incident: November 9, 2016 · Filed: December 19, 2016

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.

Other Mitsubishi Outlander model years

Check your 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Outlander at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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