2003 Mitsubishi Outlander

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  SINGLE OWNER/USER;RETIRED, GARAGE KEPT. UNDERCARRIAGE SO ERODED WHEELS BEGAN TO LIST. IMPRACTICAL TO REPAIR. BODY AND ENGINE WITHOUT PROBLEMS. NOT NOTIFIED BY DEALERSHIP AT RECENT SERVICE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. AN UNKNOWN PERSON THAT DROVE BEHIND ME MENTIONED THAT I SHOULD GET REAR WHEEL LOOKED AT. WHEN BROUGHT FOR ALIGNMENT CHECK, I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. EROSION WAS SO BAD, I DROVE THE 5 MILES TO MY HOME AND WILL NOT TAKE IT ON THE ROAD AGAIN. NO RECALLS RECEIVED. *TR

• 12/29/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE RADIATOR BLEW APART WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUICKLY OVERHEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. UPON INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD ALSO CRACKED. HE WAS AWARE OF A POSSIBLE KNOWN ISSUE AND CONTACTED MITSUBISHI WHO VERIFIED A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING FAN CONTROLLER. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS AND NOT THE LABOR. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IF A DEFECTIVE PART CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING MUCH LESS OVER $1,100 IN LABOR.

• 12/19/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS EMITTING NEAR THE RADIO. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND SUDDENLY THE INTERIOR FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

• 12/11/2017· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHECK UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL MITSUBISHI AT (856) 471-1057 (1805 MARLTON PIKE W, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

• 12/09/2016· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION AND CROSS MEMBER WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT A TRAVEL-ARM HUBBERING WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

• 12/04/2019· SUSPENSION

  REAR CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED THROUGH, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT AND HAD THE REPAIRS DONE. THE FRONT CONTROL ARM RECALL WAS DUE TO POOR RUST PROOFING DURING MANUFACTURING. THE REAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. CANNOT REALIGN REAR WHEELS AND REAR SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKE FREE ENTIRELY. VEHICLE IS NOW STATIONARY AS IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN.

• 12/01/2017· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000(SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DORSETT AUTOMOTIVE IN TERRE HAUTE, IN REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD AND LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR COULD BE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE REMEDY COULD BE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

• 12/01/2004· TIRES

  VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO TIRE BLOW OUTS ON PASSENGER'S REAR, AND DRIVER'S FRONT TIRES. CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. NO RECALLS FOUND.*AK

• 11/30/2016· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000(SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 11/26/2007· SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT

  WHEN CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED TOLD DEALER IT FELT LIKE BACK END WAS KICKIN OUT ON WET ROADS,TOOK IT DEALER WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CAR SPUN OUT ON WAY TO WORK DUE TO BLOW OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WERE UPPER AND LOWER LATS. WERE REPLACED.(NO OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE) CAR SEEMED OK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT WHICH POINT IT BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIDING AROUND IN REAR END AGAIN. AGAIN DEALER CHECKED FOUND NOTHING.. MY HUSBAND THREW A FIT WITH DEALER AT WHICH POINT A BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED(PART NOT AVAILABLE), IN MY OPINION ONLY TO PACIFY US. THE CAR HAS STILL NEVER FELT RIGHT. AT WHICH POINT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO EVEN TALK TO US ABOUT THIS. NOW FOUR MONTHS AFTER HAVING FOUR NEW TIRES MOUNTED AND BALANCED I HAVE TWO REAR TIRES SO WORN AND DAMAGED THE BELTS ARE COMING THROUGH THEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A PRIVATE TECH.TO TRY TO FIND ANYTHING THAT MAY BE WRONG. I AM SCARED FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY EVERYTIME I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR! *TR

• 11/24/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

• 11/17/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THERE IS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL, ALL THE TIME. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER 3 PLUS TIMES, AND EACH TIME THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND THAT I AM USING CHEAP GAS. THEY SUGGUESTED CHANGING GAS STATIONS. IT STILL SMELLS NO MATTER WHERE I GET THE GAS.*AK

• 11/15/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER.. THE HEADLAMP LENSES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE TOTALLY FAILED. THEY ARE MILKY IN COLOR, NOT THE CLEAR THEY SHOULD BE, AND THE LENSES THEMSELVES ARE CRACKED AND CRAZED, BUT SHOW NO IMPACT DAMAGE, OR DAMAGE OF ANY OTHER KIND OTHER THAN DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC ITSELF. THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND I WOULD ESTIMATE THE LIGHT OUTPUT AT MUCH LESS THAN 50% OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE. MY LOCAL DEALER WILL REPLACE THEM FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $1,251.10 INCLUDING TAX AND LABOR BUT IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THESE ITEMS ARE DEFINITELY SAFETY RELATED, AND ARE DEFINITELY SAFETY HAZARD. THEY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, OR AT LEAST MUCH LONGER THAN THEY HAVE. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THESE AVAILABLE TO EMAIL AND THERE IS AN INTERNET SITE IN THE MITSUBISHI FORUMS THAT REPORTS NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS DESCRIBED ALMOST IDENTICALLY. *TR

• 11/15/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT

  BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. I HAVE RETURNED MY '03 DIAMONTE FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS AND EACH TIME THEY STATE THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND EITHER REPLACED OR MACHINED THEM. BRAKES ARE NOW VIBRATING AGAIN AND WILL NEED TO BE RETURNED FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. WIND NOISE COMING FORM THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. WINDOW ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE THREE TIMES STILL HAVING NOISE PROBLEMS. RETURNED THREE TIMES TO HAVE LUMBAR SUPPORT SWITCH REPLACED. *AK

• 11/13/2018· ENGINE

  CAR HAS BEEN OWNED FOR 10+ YEARS AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED VERY WELL. GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED SINCE 2014. CAR THREW A P420 CODE IN THE YEARS AFTER. CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN A YEAR. OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND NEW EXHAUST HAS BEEN INSTALLED. WE HAVE NOW SEEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK IN IT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER ISSUE.

• 11/13/2004· TIRES

  EAGLE LS KEEPS LOSING TIRE PRESSURE (ABOUT 10PSI) EVERY 5-7 DAYS. HAVE WENT TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES NOW FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID TO GO SEE A GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER. GOODYEAR SAYS THE TIRE JUST NEEDS AIR AND IT'S OK. THIS CANNOT BE SAFE IF THE TIRE IS CONTINUALLY LOSING AIR PRESSURE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME FRAME. *JB

• 11/12/2014· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  HVAC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD TO TURN FROM HEAT TO COOL, BUT IT HAS NOW COMPLETELY BROKEN. IF YOU TURN IT TO HEAT IT BOUNCES BACK TO COOL. I HAVE NO HEATER OR DEFROST! I WAS QUOTED $1,500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE HVAC CABLE AND DOOR ARE STUCK SHUT. THE DEALER KNEW MY EXACT PROBLEM AND THE PART NUMBER OFF THE TOP OFF HIS HEAD! HE SAID IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THEY DON'T RECALL IT BECAUSE IT ISN'T A SAFETY HAZARD. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS SO. WE WERE PLUMMETED WITH SNOW AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK AND I HAD TO USE AN ICE SCRAPPER ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHTS! FREEZING AND NO VIABILITY SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. *TR

• 11/11/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN MY 2003 GALANT ES. I HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE, WHILE MOVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, HEAD-ON INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR. *JB

• 11/10/2007· STEERING

  11/08/07 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR FAMILY TO MY SONS FOOTBALL PRACTICE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHIFTING LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE DASH BOARD. 11/09/07 MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS LITERALLY FLOPPING AROUND IN THE DASH BOARD, WHEN HE REMOVED THE DASH THE STEERING COLUMN FELL IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BROKE FREE FROM WERE IT IS BOLTED TO THE CAR. *TR

• 11/07/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ENGINE HAS STARTED ON ITS OWN W/OUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. YOU CANNOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF W/ THE KEY, AFTER SOME TIME IT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, AND DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *JB

• 11/05/2010· VISIBILITY

  I OWN A MITSUBISHI 2003 OUTLANDER - THE HEATING COOLING KNOB IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF - I SPENT OVER $300 TO FIX IT - THEY INSTALLED A $150.00 PART BUT SAID I WOULD NEED A MORE EXTENSIVE FIX TO GET THE KNOB TO TURN FROM HEATING TO COOLING. THAT WOULD COST OVER $1500 ALSO TO TURN IT I HAVE TO GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND PUSH ON A PART UNDER THE HEATING SYSTEM - THIS IS DANGEROUS WITH A RISK OF BURNS BECAUSE IT GETS HOT DOWN THERE. I FEEL THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS - NOT REALISTIC TO HAVE SUCH AN EXPENSIVEFIX FOR WHAT SHOULD BE A SIMPLE PROBLEM WITH A TIGHT CABLE . THEY KNOW ABOUT IT - OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED . *TR

• 11/05/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  CAR WAS PARKED WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK TREE.

• 11/04/2019· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  CAR TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, ANDERSON MITSUBISHI, 8162790354), JANUARY 2017, FOR NHTSA RECALL 16V458. CROSSMEMBER NOT REPLACED OR RUST TREATED. CROSSMEMBER FAILED 4-20-2019. REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE $2161.70. MADE CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH MITSUBISHI DEALER AND MITSUBISHI OF NORTH AMERICA. HAVE A MITSUBISHI FILE NUMBER [XXX]. MITSUBISHI OF NA HAS VERBALLY AGREED TO SETTLE, BUT HAS NOT CONTACTED ME SINCE AUGUST OF 2019. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET MY CALLS RETURNED SINCE. THE CROSSMEMBER BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE, WITHOUT ACCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. I NEED HELP GETTING MY REIMBURSEMENT PAID. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/02/2015· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE CONTACT'S ATTENTION THAT THE SUBFRAME AND REAR END WERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

• 10/31/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE CAR COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE WIRE FOR THE SENSOR WAS TORN. THIS SHOULD HAVE MADE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE.*AK

• 10/31/2004· SUSPENSION

  1. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT HAS ALWAYS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP AND A ALIGNMENT WAS DONE. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE IS STARTING TO WORN EVEN WITH THE NEW ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE AND ROTATION. 8JB

• 10/31/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  6 MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE PURCHASED. THE TWO FANS (RADIATOR AND COOLING) FAN STARTED TO COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE COOLING FAN ONLY NEEDS TO COME ON WHEN VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS HOT. BUT THE FAN COMES ON WHEN A TURN ON THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME. I DRIVE IT AND THE FANS KEEP ON RUNNING. IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M FLYING A PLAN AND NOT DRIVING A CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IF I HAVE THE DEFROSTER AND ON, THEN THE FANS WOULD COME ON. BUT THE FANS COME ON EITHER WAY. NO PROBLEMS FOUND BY DEALERSHIP AND SAID IT'S NORMAL. WELL, I DON'T THINK SO. *JB

• 10/28/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  THIS PERTAINS TO MY 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER (CURRENT MILEAGE 44732) AND WAS OUR FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MY WIFE WENT TO THE POST OFFICE IN TOWN TO MAIL A PACKAGE. AFTER STOPPING IN THE PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SURGED (ACCELERATED) BEFORE SHE COULD SHIFT INTO PARK AND STRUCK THE LANDSCAPING WALL AT THE POST OFFICE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND A HEDGE IN FRONT OF THE WALL. ALSO, FORTUNATELY, ONLY DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR. AN INCIDENT REPORT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE LOCAL POLICE, MITSUBISHI, AND 21ST CENTURY INSURANCE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN MY GARAGE. *TR

• 10/28/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I OWN A 2003 DIAMANTE WITH ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT. MY WINDOWS CONTINUALLY FOG UP WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED AND THE DEFROSTER/VENTS DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE FOG AT ALL, MAKING DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER AND DURING THE NIGHTTIME. THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE IS EXTREMELY STRONG INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND THE LIGHT AROUND THE "N" ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FLASHING. THE MECHANIC SAID MY HEATER CORE WAS LEAKING COOLANT ONTO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH I PAID FOR AND HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THE HEATER CORE LEAKING IS WHAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO FAIL. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CONTROL MODULE AND THE RELAY WITH A COST OF OVER 2,500 DOLLARS. IT SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS THAT IS EXTREMELY COMMON IS THESE VEHICLES, CREATES SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARDS, AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

• 10/23/2005· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE HANDLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COMES OUT OF ITS PLACE. THE HATCHBACK ON THE OUTLANDER NO LONGER CAN STAY UP ON ITS OWN, THE ARM THAT HOLDS IT UP IS DEFECTIVE.

• 10/21/2013· VISIBILITY

  TEMPERATURE KNOB BROKE OFF AFTER GETTING STUCK. SOUNDS LIKE THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. I GOT AN ESTIMATE TO FIX IT FROM THE DEALER. OVER $2000. MAJOR ISSUE IN THE WINTER FOR DEFROST/HEAT. *TR

• 10/21/2007· VISIBILITY

  IN RESEARCHING WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG WITH MY MITSUBISHI GALANT HEATER, I FIND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM DESCRIBED TO THE TEE. NOT HAVING HEAT IN MY CAR AND LIVING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COULD PROVE TO BE DANGEROUS FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS AS VISIBILITY AND FREEZING WILL OCCUR AS I HAVE TO RUN THE COLD AIR ON MY WINDSHIELD TO SEE. *TR

• 10/18/2004· STEERING

  VEHICLE IN FOR SECOND REPAIR OF STEERING RACK. FIRST TIME THE RACK WAS REPLACED. REQUESTED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. VERY RARE FAILURE, YET TWICE WITHIN 30 K MILES? THERE IS A VARIABLE PULSING AND UNEQUAL PRESSURE WITHIN THE STEERING RACK HYDRAULICS. FIRST INSTANCE 16000, SECOND 31K MILES. ADDITIONALLY FAILED TIE ROD IN THIS SECOND INSTANCE. BEING REPAIRED AT UNIVERSITY MIT. IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, AS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. CALLED MIT. CUST SVC AND REQUESTED NEW RACK AND REPAIR OF TIE ROD AS WELL AS ALIGNMENT. THEY STATE THIS TO BE AN ISOLATED, TWICE STRUCK, DEFECT ISSUE AND NOT A CROSS PLATFORM/VEHICLE MODEL PROBLEM. *AK

• 10/13/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, RADIATOR, GASKETS, AND WATER PUMP. SHE IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER THAT THE COOLANT FAN WAS REPLACED TWICE PER THE RECALL WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THEY ALSO STATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED SHE COULD NOT RECEIVE A FREE REMEDY. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,500.

• 10/09/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE COTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER SOME TIME THE KNOB DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

• 10/08/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS HAVE NUMEROUS STRESS CRACKS, UNABLE TO GET 2007 INSPECTION DUE TO HEADLIGHTS. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, WAS GIVEN MITSUBISHI DISTRICT MANAGER NAME AND NUMBER, WILL NOT RETURN CALL. HEADLIGHTS NOW HAVE WATER INSIDE . HAVE TAKEN NUMEROUS PICTURES OF OTHER MITSUBISHI OUTLANDERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. WAS FIRST QUOTED $750.00 FOR REPLACEMENT, NOW QUOTED $850.00. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

• 10/07/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STICK SHIFT INDICATOR BROKE, MAKING HARD TO SHIFT THE GEAR. DEALER STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART, AND DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE IT. *AK

• 10/04/2017· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT, CROSS MEMBERS, AND CV AXLE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO SAVANNAH MITSUBISHI (8203 WHITE BLUFF RD, SAVANNAH, GA 31406, PHONE NUMBER: (912) 226-6200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS WERE CORRODED THROUGH AND CAUSED THE CV AXLE, BALL JOINT, AND CONTROL ARM TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 10/04/2005· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCE OZ RALLY, CAR HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT, I PURCHASED IT USED. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WHERE SOMETIMES I WOULD SMELL BURNING ODOR FROM THE VENTS. I THINK CAR RUNS VERY RUFF AND IM NOT SURE WHAT IT IS.. I BELIEVE IT'S THE TRANSMISSION FROM READING ALL THE POST ON HERE.. AND ALSO THE SHIFTING IS ROUGH. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A DEALER SOON.. HOPEFULLY THEY WONT GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND FIX THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY.. THANKS! *NM

• 09/27/2014· WHEELS,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR SOME TIME LAST YEAR EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS THINGS STARTED TO GO WRONG ON THE CAR. IT BEGAN WITH ME CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET THE OIL CHANGED THE TIRES WERE BAD THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES THAT I COULDN'T EXPLAIN AND THE TIRES IN THE TIRES IN THE BACK WERE CONSTANTLY BUSTING. THE ENGINE IS NOW GOING BAD AND I HAVE BOUGHT AT LEAST 10 SETS OF TIRES FOR THE BACK IN THIS YEAR ALONE. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP PUTTING IN THIS CAR AND CONTINUE TO PAY THE LEASE OFF FOR IT AS WELL. ITS GETTING ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. *TR

• 09/26/2005· STRUCTURE

  MITSUBISHI MOTORS WILL NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY AND PAY TO HAVE A FAILURE OF A FACTORY WELD REPAIRED ON THE RIGHT FRONT ENGINE CROSS MEMBER OF MY 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WHICH IS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS SUBMITTED A LETTER INFORMING MITSUBISHI'S VEHICLE DEPARTMENT THAT THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE IS DUE TO FAILURE FROM IMPROPER WELDING. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED BY A CERTIFIED BODY SHOP THAT THE PART WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. MITSUBISHI HAS REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE SINCE AUGUST 12, 2005. *JB

• 09/25/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ALL HEADLIGHTS ON 2003 -2006 OUTLANDERS CRACK SEVERELY BESIDES BESIDES BRING EXPENSIVE THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT BECAUSE OF RAIN THERFORE BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 09/22/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT IN THE VEHICLE ARE CRACKED WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO GO INSIDE. DUE TO THIS, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. SHE DID RESEARCH ON THIS DEFECT AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. SHE ALSO FOUND A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM AND SHE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURE, THEY STATED IT WAS NOT A RECALL BECAUSE IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. SHE BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000.

• 09/21/2017· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  HEAVY SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED. FILL GARAGE WITH FUMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IF FILLED TO A HALF TANK OR SO, NO INDICATION OF FUEL SMELL. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LEAKING. I HAD AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND THE FUEL TANK AS WELL AS FILLER NOZZLE ARE DETERIORATED. I CALLED MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA AND THEY ACTED AS IF THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED MULTIPLE DEALERS, AND ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE INTER-NET IS FULL OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON 2003 TO 2006 OUTLANDERS. I HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR THE FRONT END BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RUST MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR WITH THE FUEL TANK. MITSUBISHI SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN.

• 09/17/2003· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  OUTLAND CONTINUES TO PULL VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND THE PULLING IS NORMAL. *JB

• 09/15/2008· EQUIPMENT

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE TIRES FLATTENED DUE TO THE VALVE STEMS. THREE OF THE VALVE STEMS WERE REPAIRED AT $20 EACH, AND THE FIRST VALVE STEM WAS FREE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08T018000 (TIRES:VALVE) WAS REFERENCED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

• 09/12/2016· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  I AM REFERRING TO A WELL KNOWN "STICKY HVAC MIX DOOR" ISSUE IN THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER AND LANCER VEHICLES IN MODEL YEAR 2003 (PERHAPS AMONG OTHER YEARS AND MODELS). THIS ISSUE CAN RESULT IN AN INABILITY TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD DURING COLD WEATHER DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE "STICKY" ISSUE FOR SOME TIME, WHICH, WHILE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KNOB, WAS NOT A HUGE ISSUE. HOWEVER, RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR WENT FROM "STICKY" TO "STUCK," ON THE "COLD" SETTING. MY WINDOWS GRADUALLY STARTED TO FOG AND I WAS UNABLE TO DEFOG THEM SINCE THE SYSTEM COULD NOT BLOW HOT AIR DUE TO THE STUCK MIX DOOR. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY (I-39) IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN AT THE TIME, ON AUGUST 27, 2016 IN THE EVENING. IN LATE SUMMER / EARLY AUTUMN, THERE IS A WIDE TEMPERATURE SWING DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT, SO FLIPPING FROM HOT TO COLD SETTINGS IS VERY COMMON. FORTUNATELY IT WAS NOT EXTREMELY COLD SO I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE HVAC AND OPEN ALL MY WINDOWS IN ORDER TO GET BY DURING MY SHORT DRIVE. HOWEVER, IN THE WINTER, I NEED TO HAVE IT SET ON "HOT" AT ALL TIMES: THEREFORE, FOR WINTER DRIVING, MY CAR WILL NOT BE DRIVABLE AT ALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL IN COLD WEATHER STATES ASAP. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT ONLY AT THIS TIME DID IT BECOME A SERIOUS CAUSE OF CONCERN: WHEN THE HVAC MIX DOOR IS STUCK ON THE COLD SETTING, THE INABILITY TO DEFOG THE WINDSHIELD IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER AS WELL AS FOR ANYONE ELSE SHARING THE ROAD.

• 09/11/2005· STEERINGCrash

  ON SEPT 3 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER WHEN IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT SO SHARPLY THAT IT ALMOST PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL FROM HER GRASP. THE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE OCCURRENCE,WE DECIDED WE WOULD GET IT CHECKED OUT NEXT WEEK. BEFORE WE COULD GET THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT,DUE TO HURRICANE KATRINA,ON SEPT.9 MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER WAS JUST LEAVING SCHOOL, HAD ONLY GONE A FEW HUNDRED YARDS WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT,CAUSING HER TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND FLIP THE CAR. A WITNESS SAID SHE SAW SOMETHING FLY OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR JUST BEFORE THE CRASH. WITH THE CAR UPSIDE DOWN WE ALL SAW THE CV JOINT BROKEN. I LOOKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DOWN FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE AND FOUND A PART THAT MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH,I AM CHECKING THIS OUT,BUT HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT THROUGH INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE AN INVESTIGATION IS DONE CONCERNING THIS SERIOUS FLAW IN CONSTRUCTION.

• 09/10/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE#03-V-194-000 FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON AUGUST 3, 2003 HOWEVER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *JB

• 09/08/2016· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION), THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.