2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
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.
- Complaints
- 116
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Suspension
Campaigns on file for 2003
None on file
25% of complaints
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 | 53 |
| 2016 | 144 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2022 | 217 |
| 2023 | 48 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Suspension
25% · 29 reportsMost 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, 2024-08-27
Exterior lighting
16% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.
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, 2018-01-16
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, 2012-06-29
Steering
12% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing linkages and rack.
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, 2005-09-11
Engine and engine cooling
11% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing cooling system and engine.
Electrical system
8% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.
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, 2014-12-19
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, 2012-10-09
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003Complaint volume 116 complaints filed for this model year.
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2003-01-29Vehicle speed control03V028000 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…
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…
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2003-06-23Electrical system03V194000 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…
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…
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2004-03-29Equipment04V067000 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…
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…
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2004-05-28Trailer hitches04V197000 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…
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2016-09-14Suspension16V458000 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members.
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Date not on fileEquipment04V428000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 29 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 19 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
- Recall 03V028000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 03V194000 · Electrical system
- Recall 04V067000 · Equipment
- Recall 04V197000 · Trailer hitches
- Recall 16V458000 · Suspension
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander?
- The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.