2004 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Outlander years
- About as many complaints as other years 10th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. That ranks 10th out of 23 Outlander model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is suspension (20 complaints, 38%), typically at around 96,484 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 5 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 52owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 20 | 38% | 96,484 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 15% | 169,214 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 7 | 13% | 57,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 12% | 29,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 12% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 5 | 10% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 6% | 34,400 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 4% | 500 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 4% | 105,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 4% | 59,228 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 4% | 35,400 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 4% | 124,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% | 307,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% | 34,828 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | 49,300 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 2% | 69,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 2% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Problem: 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, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: 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.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: 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 begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
Trailer hitches
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles may have been equipped with dealer-installed trailer hitch wiring harness and control module. The electronic control module can overheat.
Risk: Overheating of the trailer hitch wiring harness module could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles located in the caribbean, due to a software programming error in the electronic timing and control system (etacs), while using the intermittent wiper mode, the intermittent wiper sweep time interval may increase as much as 6.8 second between wiper sweeps.
Risk: If this occurs during severe weather and during vehicle's high-speed operation, the driver visibility would be reduced, which could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the etacs module. Owner notification began november 14, 2003. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-800-981-0452.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the front subframe detached. The contact stated that the driverâs side front wheel was pointing outwards. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension)…
The entire undercarriage is rusted out, it was taken to Ricart near columbus ohio where they simply sprayed an anti rust coating over the existing rust. There is now rusted holes and the vehicle has spun out driving in straight due to control arm issues and whatever else. The vehicle is not…
The front control arm where it bolts to the k frame rusted away completly resulting in the front drivers tire to come off. Was in a get in go parking lot turning when this happened luckly no one was hurt.
Rear subframe rusted through while moving slowly in driveway causing the driver's side rear wheel to misalign, making the car unable to move. Car was towed to repair shop where rear subframe was replaced.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DES MOINES MITSUBISHI (4475 MERLE HAY RD, DES MOINES, IA 50310, [redacted]) FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR THAT INVOLVED EITHER REPLACING THE SUBFRAME OR…
Other Mitsubishi Outlander years
← 2003 Outlander · 2005 Outlander →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Outlander | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 Outlander | 15 | 1 |
| 2024 Outlander | 26 | 1 |
| 2023 Outlander | 49 | 2 |
| 2022 Outlander | 216 | 7 |
| 2020 Outlander | 31 | 3 |
| 2019 Outlander | 29 | 5 |
| 2018 Outlander | 57 | 6 |
| 2017 Outlander | 51 | 6 |
| 2016 Outlander | 145 | 8 |
| 2015 Outlander | 53 | 5 |
| 2014 Outlander | 45 | 4 |
| 2013 Outlander | 26 | 5 |
| 2012 Outlander | 22 | 6 |
| 2011 Outlander | 58 | 8 |
| 2010 Outlander | 60 | 10 |
| 2009 Outlander | 46 | 13 |
| 2008 Outlander | 58 | 12 |
| 2007 Outlander | 125 | 9 |
| 2006 Outlander | 21 | 1 |
| 2005 Outlander | 19 | 1 |
| 2004 | 52 | 4 |
| 2003 Outlander | 116 | 6 |
See all Mitsubishi Outlander problems by year, every Mitsubishi model, or the Mitsubishi VIN decoder.
Similar Mitsubishi models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Owners most often report suspension, structure, air bags problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 20 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Outlander model years, the 2004 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.