2003 Mitsubishi Outlander

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:38:10.627Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2003: 116 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	116
2004	52
2005	19
2006	21
2007	125
2008	58
2009	46
2010	60
2011	58
2012	22
2013	26
2014	45
2015	52
2016	143
2017	51
2018	56
2019	29
2020	31
2022	213
2023	47
2024	26
2025	14
2026	3

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 25%

25% of complaints: suspension — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle came to an immediate stop and did not return to normal operation. The contact noticed that the front control arm had detached.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240827

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16%

16% of complaints: exterior lighting — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A WHILE, AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180116

Also filed under AIR BAGS

THE HEADLIGHTS OF THIS MODEL GET SEVERELY CRACKED TO THE POINT OF RAINWATER ACCUMULATING INSIDE THEM AND BURNING THE LIGHTS. DRIVERS ARE RISKING LOOSING THEIR HEADLIGHTS WHEN THEY NEED THEM MOST - IN A BAD RAINSTORM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120629

STEERING 12%

12% of complaints: steering — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and rack.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050911

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141219

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121009

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 116

R 20030129 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, ICE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE THROTTLE VALVE. THIS ICE BUILD-UP COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK OR NOT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER TO ELIMINATE THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UP

Campaign 03V028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030623 — electrical system

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER COULD ENTER THE FRONT FLOORBOARD AREA FROM OPENINGS IN THE SIDE SILL OR UPPER DASH AREA. THIS WATER COULD COLLECT UNDER THE SEAT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL CORROSIO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SIDE SILLS AND DASH PANEL FOR OPENINGS THAT MAY ALLOW WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. IN ADDITION TO SEALING ANY OPENINGS THAT MAY BE FOUND, THE WIRING CONNECTORS WILL

Campaign 03V194000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040329 — equipment

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP

Remedy: A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL

Campaign 04V067000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040528 — trailer hitches

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

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 MITSUB

Campaign 04V197000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160914 — suspension

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members.

Campaign 16V458000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — equipment

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

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.

Campaign 04V428000 — check if this car was fixed