Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the passenger side rear wheel began to make contact with the frame of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the sub frame had rusted near the rear passenger side wheel causing the a-arm to separate and the wheel to lean inward. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
I noticed that the floor on the driver side of my Mitsubishi Endeavor 2004, bought in the same year, was soaking wet and couldn't understand why since it was not raining. My son noticed that the floor gets soaking wet whenever he or I use the car. I suspect that it might be the aircon leaking but didn't bring it to the mechanic because I was scared of the expense which I cannot afford now that we're on fixed income. Since June 2013, however, the leaking has noticeably increased, and my son used thick bath towels to dry the floor, but I noticed that the towels get soggy with whatever is leaking, but even a couple of thick bath towels not enough to dry the floor. …
The car has been accumulating fluid on the floor of the driver's side. Usure of where the problem was, we have been absorbing the water and airing out the car. Mold has accumulated as well (black mold) and now I know why I've had repeated respiratory problems, including pneumonia three times over the past 2 years. Rust is also forming due to the constant humidity levels inside the car. The brake pedal seems to be rusting as well as the driver's side chair floor mount. I cannot see what is happening to the electrical wiring, as it is covered by the panels. There have been numerous times that due to the liquid on the floor of the driver's side, my foot has slipped while depressing the brake which has LED to potential accidents. As I cannot see the floor itself (due to the carpeting), I don't know if that is rusting out as well. …
The paint on my Mitsubishi Endeavor 04, has all this oxidation going on on the roof and the window panels. I investigated this after taking my car back to dennis Mitsubishi and having them tell me they will paint the spots that are bad but not my whole car. I found out that there are thousands of people with Mitsubishi's that are having the exact same problem and the corporate office is just ignoring the problem that they know is the car makers error. They used bad paint coating on all the vehicles and they will not come out and admit that they are wrong. It is so awful to treat their customers this way and I can not believe they are allowed to just get away with it. Something should be done, they should have to recall these cars. I am not the only one sitting around shaking my head at this. …
Like many, many reports the drivers side floor mat is saturated and pooled with water from the ac/HVAC system drainage failure. The manufacture has TSB's on on the issue with foam gasket replacement or initially drilling a hole cleaning it out and installing a rubber plug TSB-08-55-007. Now installation of a hose used for radiator overflow on an eclipse now being suggested no: TSB-11-55-003. How is this not a design flaw and how is the mold and moisture issue not a safety concern. The internal cab parts are not coated or treated to inhibit rust from this excessive moisture. The excessive moisture inside the vehicle also accumulates on the inside windshield of the vehicle as it removed thru the system but re-enters thru the firewall into the floor.
2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor 4x4, at the time I reported the rusting problem I had under 20,000 miles on my vehicle. It has heavy rust under the back seats, on the hinges that operate the seats, the coil construction of the seat, the area where the jack is stored and the jack itself. I notified the company and there response was that this was normal. I can find no one else who agrees with this statement. I have pictures available and would like help in this matter. My daughter and I both have allergies and if there is that much moisture in this vehicle I am afraid that there May also be unseen mold that could be harmful as well. I feel I have tried to resolve this nicely, but they are not willing to do anything about it.
The h-vac system does not work. When air conditioning is used water seeps into the floorboard and completely soaks the floor and mat, which creates a very rank odor. To correct this problem it will cost the consumer approximately $800.00. This is clearly an engineer defect/flaw. We were told by an Mitsubishi service rep that the following year (2005) it was corrected. Obviously Mitsubishi was aware of this problem. Why wasn't a recall done on this problem? I think it certainly warrants one. How many other people have been affected by this? Why should the consumer assume costs for something that was not made correctly? I am baffled, as to why a car corporation would not take care of their customers?
2004 Endeavor, driver side compartment filled with water. Water leaking into car from behind gas pedal area making driving hazardous with wet slippery gas and brake pedals. When no compressor is run there is no water, but you cannot get rid of humidity and internal window fogging without running the ac/defrost function which puts more water on the floor. Mold is growing across the floorboard of the vehicle from repeated water leak. Dealer advised faulty washer at hose drain connection, requiring entire dash be removed. $1000 repair for a $1.50 defective washer in dash. Alternate repair recommendations online require a new hole be drilled in firewall to replace washer from backside.
My 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor has some sort of problem that seems to be the same as others. The floorboards are soaking wet and are causing our feet to slip when pressing on the brake and gas pedals. The carpet is constantly covered in mold because of all the moisture and the smell is misty and sometimes unbearable. Have a young child with asthma and allergies and a newborn. I have not fixed the problem because there is a dealership, but wants to charge $1,000 to fix a design flaw. Mitsubishi motors has a technical service bulletin (TSB-09-55-002) to fix the problem by drilling into where the water accumulates and install a secondary drain.
Driver side floor stays sopping wet. I am assuming this is from the ac drain hose. Mechanics want $700-1000 to attempt to fix the problem, but say there are no guarantees as this has been an ongoing defect with the 2004 Endeavor. This raises several safety issues with main one being that feet are wet and slippery and likely to cause being unable to brake as needed due to foot slipping off pedal. Other safety concerns are in regards to the mold due to being unable to keep it dry. Please recall this and have it fixed as it should be. The consumer should not have to absorb this cost when it is a defect that should not have occurred.
Body complaints in other Endeavor years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the body & structure of the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor, 32% of the model year's 182 complaints. The component named most often is body (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.