NHTSA lists 116 complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander, 10 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 6 complaints mention an injury, with 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
6 recalls.
Date: 2016-06-23. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Defect: 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, (excerpt)
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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 custo (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-09-01. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. (excerpt)
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. 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 BEG (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-04-26. Systems: TRAILER HITCHES.
Defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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 MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-02-11. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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 DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.
Consequence: IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.
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 BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2003-05-20. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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 CORROSION TO OCCUR IN THE HARNESS CONNECTORS THAT CONTAIN THE WIRING FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER, SIDE AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR, AND STOP LAMPS. (excerpt)
Consequence: ELECTRICAL CORROSION OF THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER TO MALFUNCTION, THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY AND/OR THE BRAKE LAMPS NOT TO ILLUMINATE OR TO FALSELY ILLUMINATE. (excerpt)
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 BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF ELECTRICAL CORROSION. THE FLOOR HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED IF IT HAS ANY SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE OR ELECTRICAL CORROSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2003-01-30. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Defect: 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 TO RETURN TO IDLE AFTER ACCELERATING.
Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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 UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
62 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 13 |
|---|
| SUSPENSION | 11 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 10 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 8 |
|---|
| SEATS | 5 |
|---|
| STEERING | 5 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY | 5 |
|---|
10240443
Date: 2023-07-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
10235608
Date: 2023-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.
10235609
Date: 2023-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
10235606
Date: 2023-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
10226082
Date: 2022-10-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS.
Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
10211530
Date: 2022-04-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
10208837
Date: 2022-02-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, SEATS.
This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them to replace the Power Seat Side Shield and apply felt tape when customers complain the Power Seat Side Shield is coming off while entering/exiting the vehicle.
10207798
Date: 2022-01-31. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, SEATS.
This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to apply Nonwoven Fabric Tape between the Seat Back and Urethane Pad when customers report a condition where an abnormal rubbing noise is heard from the Seat Back when a driver and/or passenger is seated in the front seat(s).
10199125
Date: 2021-06-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak may result in replacement of absorbers unnecessarily when trace amounts of oil are noted to have adhered to the shock absorber.
10200351
Date: 2021-06-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak may result in replacement of absorbers unnecessarily when trace amounts of oil are noted to have adhered to the shock absorber.