KnownCarProblemsHome › Mitsubishi › Outlander › 2004
2004 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander, most often about the suspension (39% of complaints, typically around 96,500 miles). It is 10th of 23 Outlander model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Suspension
20 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving approximately 35 MPH approaching a stop light, the front end of the vehicle gave way and disconnected the front driver side wheel. The vehicle became immobilized in traffic without warning. The police arrived and assisted the contact. The vehicle was towed to…
: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, a wobbling sound was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealership determined the bushing and upper control arm needed to be replaced. 30,000 miles later, the problem returned and the same repairs were made at an independent repair shop.
Engine
8 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
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…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. When the engine is turned off it remained on for approximately one minute. The dealer has not diagnosed the failure. The contact is aware of the safety risk. The current and failure mileages were 29,000. Updated 09/16/09 updated 09/17/09.
Body and structure
8 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Slammed my front drivers side into a cement column in a parking lot. My airbag did not deploy. No major injury just a bruised jaw and sore neck. Incident 01/17/2013. Usaa auto insurance said car was totalled so I get the cash value.
I crashed my Outlander in my parking lot, I was parking slowly, pushing the brake slowly, the car was at the final position in my spot and suddenly the car crashed into a tree. The tree was about 1 meter distant from my car...im 100% sure that the accident was a sudden acceleration. I had another similar episode about…
Air bags
7 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
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…
Slammed my front drivers side into a cement column in a parking lot. My airbag did not deploy. No major injury just a bruised jaw and sore neck. Incident 01/17/2013. Usaa auto insurance said car was totalled so I get the cash value.
Lights
6 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: hazard flashing warning lights, headlights.
Failure of turn signal / emergency hazard lights. Relay switch burned out. Car has 39000 miles and is 20 months . Old dealer and distributor claim not their problem. I claim it is a safety problem and should be covered under warranty.
After moving to texas the vehicle inspection station alerted me to the severely degraded headlight lens on both sides. I have restored the surface and sealed the cracks numerous times but they are in need of restoration or replacement again. The lens alone is not available and the whole assembly costs over $200.00…
Steering
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
(1) steering is loose. Vehicle would drift either to the left or right. Excessive vibration even though the defect did not cause any accident or need any parts replacement, it is important that the manufacturer do something about it. This is a well-known problem in asia. I am surprised north america is not notified.
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.
Transmission
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
I felt a slight disturbance while driving the vehicle then a minute later the trannie slipped I pulled over and the fluid was pouring out of. Authorized dealer said it was the trans oil cooler. No evidence of how this actually happened and I am responsible for paying for it out of pocket for it and I still have my…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 6%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…
I have a 2004 Outlander an I have many thing wrong like the heater knob broke off the back windows fell but my major concern is the service engine light will come on an ill lose the throttle. In traffic this is pretty scary. Everything about the car is tip top. 80,000 miles never had any major problems till this, I've…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
Suspension: lower arm
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: trailer hitches
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.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles may have been equipped with dealer-installed trailer hitch wiring harness and control module. The electronic control module can overheat.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (20 complaints, typically around 96,500 miles); engine (8 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); body and structure (8 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2016 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- It is 10th of 23 Outlander model years by number of complaints, with 52 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.