VehicleVerdict

2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 230 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 11.0 times the median Endeavor year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 8 Endeavor years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 59 reports (26% of the total).

230

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Endeavor years?

Endeavor NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted230 complaints2004: 230 complaints2005: 54 complaints2006: 25 complaints2007: 26 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 11 complaints
Endeavor NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Endeavor years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure5926%
Engine2410%
Fuel System219%
Visibility & Wipers198%
Electrical System188%
Transmission177%
Other146%
Airbags136%
Brakes115%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)104%
Suspension73%
Latches & Locks42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Steering31%
Speed Control31%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting10%

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V065000Fuel SystemFebruary 25, 2010 · 108,147 units

Defect

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 ENDEAVOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF 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 WASHINGTON D.C. COLD STATES INCLUDE NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, COLORADO, WYOMING, MONTANA, IDAHO, WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND UTAH. ADJOINING STATES INCLUDE ARKANSAS, TENNESSEE, AND NORTH CAROLINA. IN SEVERE CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE FREQUENTLY USED IN WINTER VEHICLES MAY BE EXPOSED TO ROAD DEBRIS (MUD) MIXED WITH ROAD SALT. THIS MATERIAL CAN BECOME TRAPPED BETWEEN A REINFORCING BRACKET AND THE FUEL FILLER PIPE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING CORROSION. OVER TIME, CORROSION COULD CREATE A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE THAT COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

08V139000Electrical SystemMarch 26, 2008 · 116,600 units

Defect

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 120,000 MY 2004-2006 ENDEAVOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING VEHICLE USE, THE IGNITION KEY INTERLOCK CABLE (WHICH IS A COMPONENT OF THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM) MAY ALLOW THE INTERLOCKING CAM TO FALL FORWARD AND ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE GEARSHIFT MECHANISM IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CORRECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE REPORTED CONDITION. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON JULY 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

05V069000BrakesMarch 2, 2005 · 65,436 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION. THE LOCK NUT MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, WHICH WILL REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARKING BRAKE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE, THUS RAISING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE LOCK NUT, IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE 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.

04V279000SeatsJune 7, 2004 · 1,211 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FOOT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RISER MAY DEVELOP A CRACK, RESULTING IN REDUCED STRENGTH OF THE SEAT ANCHORAGE.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT COULD BECOME DETACHED, INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE IT WITH A NEW, IMPROVED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

04V197000Trailer HitchApril 26, 2004 · 2,175 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

NOISE OF SLOSHING WATER IN THE TRUNK AND WATER DRIPPING ONTO THE DRIVER'S FLOOR; SOAKING WET CARPET. VERY BAD ODOR! CAUSING A SICK FEELING. REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED; RIGHT AND LEFT APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS APART. THE MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR PANEL. ROARING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 13, 2014

MITSUBITISHI ENDEAVOR 2004 CAUGHT FIRE AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30AM. OWNERS AWAKENED BY CAR ALARM TO FIND REAR OF VEHICLE IN FLAMES, RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 17, 2007 · fire

I HAVE TALKED TO MITSUBISHI NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE AUGUST 2016. THEY KEEP PASSING THE BUCK OR CASE MANAGER IS ON VACATION. I'VE BEEN USING A HOSE AND FUNNEL TO FUEL MY CAR BECAUSE THE FILL TUBE HAS RUSTED OUT. THIS AND 4 MORE RECALLS ON THIS CAR PUTS ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT MITSUBISHI IS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 2016

NOISE OF SLOSHING WATER IN THE TRUNK AND WATER DRIPPING ONTO THE DRIVER'S FLOOR; SOAKING WET CARPET. VERY BAD ODOR! CAUSING A SICK FEELING. REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED; RIGHT AND LEFT APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS APART. THE MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR PANEL. ROARING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 13, 2014

CONSUMER STATED WHILE RETURNING FROM A SHORT TRIP SMELLED SMOKE, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND SAW THE HARNESS SMOTHERING LIGHT CRAZY. TRUCK HAD ONLY 42 MILES ON IT. CONSUMER HAD ONLY DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE 33 MILES SINCE HE HAD IT. FELT AS IF HE SHOULD GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 21, 2003 · fire

2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor — common questions

Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 230 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 8 Endeavor years. It is one of the Endeavor years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Endeavor problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (59 complaints), engine (24 complaints), fuel system (21 complaints).

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mitsubishi Endeavor years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Endeavor years to avoid are 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among Endeavor years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.