2004 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 52 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 16 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
Suspension: 16; Structure:Body: 7; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Exterior Lighting: 4; Steering: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 5; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 9; 2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10051213 · 2003-12-28 (December 28, 2003)
THE OUTLANDER HAS THE TENDENCY TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. A QUICK CHECK ON THE WEBSITE REVEALED MANY CAR OWNERS FACED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS IDENTIFIED TO THE ACTUATOR LATCH MECHANISM OF THE STEERING MECHANISM. THIS PROBLEM US WELL KNOWN TO JAPAN & ASIA. I AM EXTREMELY SURPRISED THAT IT IS NOT KNOWN TO US AT ALL. ALL THE TIME, I HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE SUV STRAIGHT!!! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057458 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING IN THE SNOW, THE CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITH LITTLE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107717 · 2005-01-22 (January 22, 2005)
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 REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, NO ONE RETURNS MY CALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282657 · 2009-09-02 (September 2, 2009)
1- I WAS DRIVING AT 55MPH(55 POSTED) ON ROUTE 38/LINCOLN HIGHWAY IN WEST CHICAGO, IL AND AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION AN INDIVIDUAL DID NOT YIELD AND TURNED IN FRONT OF MY PATH. I PUT ON BRAKES PROBABLY ABOUT 10-20 FEET BEFORE I MADE A HIGH SPEED IMPACT WITH HIS PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL AND QUARTER PANEL WITH MY FRONT END. MY CAR TOOK THE IMPACT ON THE FRONT END AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE I HIT THE OTHER CAR AT ABOUT 50MPH AND IT SEEMS THAT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. MY CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS NOT REPAIRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182051 · 2007-02-08 (February 8, 2007)
SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 2004 MISTSUBISH OUTLANDER. ALL FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, EXCEPT LATEST PROBLEM. CAR WON'T RUN. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. CAR SHAKES AND ENGINE CUTS COMPLETELY OUT. DEALERSHIP NOT COOPERATING, FIXED THE WRONG THING, ENGINE STILL CUTS OUT/STALLS, NOW SAYING I "OVERFILLED THE GAS TANK, RUINING THE CHARCOAL FUEL CANISTER." THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY?! THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER REASON THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE NEVER OVERFILLED OR TOPPED OFF MY GAS. I THINK THEY MESSED IT UP, OR PERHAPS THE GAUGES ARE WRONG. IF THE GAUGES ARE WRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10781576 · 2015-10-13 (October 13, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE GAUGING SYSTEM WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10781576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10473949 · 2012-09-05 (September 5, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL FUMES STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKED GAS AND OMIT GAS FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. UPDATED 10/05/2012 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10473949 at NHTSA ↗