2004 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls and problems

4 recalls and 52 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander.

4
recalls
52
owner complaints
10
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls

Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm

NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · reported June 23, 2016 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 194,674 vehicles potentially affected

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

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN · 100,432 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix
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.

Trailer hitches

NHTSA campaign 04V197000 · reported April 26, 2004 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 2,175 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Certain sport utility vehicles may have been equipped with dealer-installed trailer hitch wiring harness and control module. The electronic control module can overheat.
The risk
Overheating of the trailer hitch wiring harness module could result in a fire.
The fix
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.

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 03V429000 · reported November 3, 2003 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 394 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
Dealers will replace the etacs module. Owner notification began november 14, 2003. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-800-981-0452.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 25, 2022 · Suspension · 180,000 miles

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…

Oct 5, 2021 · Suspension

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…

Oct 29, 2020 · Steering · 141,000 miles

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.

Feb 24, 2020 · Suspension · 135,000 miles

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.

Nov 23, 2018 · Structure · 147,087 miles

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, [phone removed]) FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR THAT INVOLVED EITHER REPLACING THE SUBFRAME OR APPLYING AN…

Outlander model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2003 6116102
2004 452100
2005 11930
2006 12120
2007 912562

Across all years, the 2022 Outlander has the most complaints (217). All Mitsubishi Outlander years →

Questions

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander, the most recent reported on June 23, 2016 (Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is suspension (20 complaints), followed by structure (8).
How many 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander complaints mention a crash or fire?
10 of 52 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 25, 2022.