VehicleVerdict

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander sits mid-pack among Outlander years: 73 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 64, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 20 reports (27% of the total).

73

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Outlander years?

See all Outlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension2027%
Engine811%
Body & Structure811%
Airbags710%
Lighting68%
Steering57%
Transmission34%
Fuel System34%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Brakes23%
Electrical System23%
Other23%
Seat Belts23%
Speed Control23%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

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

16V458000SuspensionJune 23, 2016 · 194,674 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

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.

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.

03V429000Visibility & WipersNovember 3, 2003 · 394 units

Defect

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.

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.

Remedy

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

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 5, 2016

UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION, WITHOUT ENGAGING A GEAR CHANGE, ENGINE? WILL LOSE COMPRESSION/POWER, TACH FALL 500-700 RPS AS SPEEDOMETER RISES. ENGINE TICKS. INTERMITTENT WIPERS SPEED DECREASES WHEN VEHICLE AT STOP, AIR CIRCULATION FAN SPEED DECREASES WHEN VEHICLE AT STOP, BRAKES MAKING NOISE. DESPITE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2004

SLAMMED MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE INTO A CEMENT COLUMN IN A PARKING LOT. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO MAJOR INJURY JUST A BRUISED JAW AND SORE NECK. INCIDENT 01/17/2013. USAA AUTO INSURANCE SAID CAR WAS TOTALLED SO I GET THE CASH VALUE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 17, 2013 · crash

SLAMMED MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE INTO A CEMENT COLUMN IN A PARKING LOT. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO MAJOR INJURY JUST A BRUISED JAW AND SORE NECK. INCIDENT 01/17/2013. USAA AUTO INSURANCE SAID CAR WAS TOTALLED SO I GET THE CASH VALUE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 17, 2013 · crash

FAILURE OF TURN SIGNAL / EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHTS. RELAY SWITCH BURNED OUT. CAR HAS 39000 MILES AND IS 20 MONTHS . OLD DEALER AND DISTRIBUTOR CLAIM NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I CLAIM IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 20, 2005

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander — common questions

Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

It is close to typical for the Outlander: 73 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 Outlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (20 complaints), engine (8 complaints), body & structure (8 complaints).

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outlander years to avoid are 2022, 2016, 2007, 2003. The cleanest record among Outlander years belongs to 2026.

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.