VehicleVerdict

2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Endeavor year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 8 Endeavor years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (10), brakes (8), and electrical system (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

54

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Endeavor years?

Endeavor NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted230 complaints2004: 230 complaints2005: 54 complaints2006: 25 complaints2007: 26 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 11 complaints
Endeavor NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Endeavor years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1019%
Brakes815%
Electrical System713%
Transmission611%
Engine59%
Airbags47%
Other36%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)36%
Seat Belts24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Fuel System12%
Latches & Locks12%
Lighting12%
Seats12%
Steering12%

Does the 2005 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.

08V454000Fuel SystemSeptember 9, 2008 · 45,988 units

Defect

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE METAL TO HAVE A SPLIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A SEVERE COLLISION, THE BRACKET MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNTING BRACKET HAS SPLITTING BEYOND A SPECIFIC LIMIT. VEHICLES WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE SPLITTING WILL BE REPAIRED USING A REINFORCEMENT CAP, A SPECIAL STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE, AND A RIVET TO REINFORCE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2008. 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.

06V068000BrakesMarch 9, 2006 · 4,359 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE MATERIAL USED TO MANUFACTURE THE FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPERS MAY BE BRITTLE DUE TO IMPROPER METALLURGY.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE FRACTURE OF THE BRAKE CALIPER AND SUBSEQUENT UNEXPECTED PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

05V409000BrakesSeptember 15, 2005 · 2,901 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH CONTROLS THE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES, MAY ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO BYPASS INTERNALLY DURING STOPPING.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

2005 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR. HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS DROVE AROUND TOWN IN A MILD SNOW AND RAIN. THE NEXT DAY NOTICED WATER HAD LEAKED INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN UNDER DRIVER SIDE CARPETING. TOOK TWO LARGE TOWELS TO SOAK UP WATER. CALLED DEALER. BRINGING IT TO SERVICE DEPT TOMMOROW. I NOTED THERE ARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 31, 2005

I WAS PULLING INTO AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT AT 3 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS APPLIED BRAKE AND CAR SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO BRAKE AND THE CAR SURGED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT STOP. THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A UNOCCUPIED PARKED CAR WHICH BANGED ANOTHER UNOCCUPIED CAR PARKED NEXT TO IT. ALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 25, 2015 · crash

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY, I SMELLED WHAT SEEMS TO BE BURNING PLASTIC, I SAW SMOKE FROM UNDER MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT, SUDDENLY MY A/C STOP WORKING. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICE THAT THE ELECTRICAL PLUG TO THE FAN MOTOR LOOKED CHARRED/BURNT. I REMOVED IT FOR SAFETY REASONS. I READ OVER THE INTERNET…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 6, 2013 · fire

1. MY 2005 ENDEAVOR HAS 11,000 KMS, COVERED BY THE WARRANTY (IT HAS LESS THAN A YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. LST FRIDAY I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY TO MY WORK WHEN I FELT THUMPS AND IF IT WERE PULLING BACK AND FORTH. I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT I MANAGED TO PARK, AND WHEN I DID SOMETHING UNDER IT RIPPED OFF AND A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 19, 2005 · crash

I WAS PULLING INTO AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT AT 3 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS APPLIED BRAKE AND CAR SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO BRAKE AND THE CAR SURGED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT STOP. THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A UNOCCUPIED PARKED CAR WHICH BANGED ANOTHER UNOCCUPIED CAR PARKED NEXT TO IT. ALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 25, 2015 · crash

2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor — common questions

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 8 Endeavor years. It is one of the Endeavor years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Endeavor problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (10 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.