Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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* the contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. While driving approximately 55 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle and an unknown warning light illuminated. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was repaired, but the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,729.
We noticed that the engine was smelling hot, but no warning lights were on, so we made an appointment with a Mitsubishi dealer, while driving it into the shop it began to overheat. After stopping several times to cool off the engine we made it to the dealer only for the car to just then get a check engine light on and stall completely out. We then found out that it was a hole in the radiator and was not covered under the power train warranty. We could not afford the 630 dollars that they wanted to charge us so we decided to have a known mechanic do the work. When the radiator was pulled out we found that since the air conditioning and coolant was behind the radiator it caused rubbing on the bottom of the radiator causing a small pin hole to be rubbed into it. We are working on having it repaired with a licensed radiator shop and replacing. …
On September 1, 2007, I had been driving on the highway at approximately 60 MPH for approximately 15 miles when the air conditioning suddenly began blowing hot air and the temperature gauge went above "h" immediately. I turned the air conditioning off, exited the highway immediately, stopped the car, and attempted to restart the car to remedy the problem, but when the vehicle was restarted the car was still past the "h" on the temperature gauge. I drove the vehicle to the first repair shop, and they discovered that the bottom half of my radiator had disintegrated and fallen off the bottom of my car, along with all of the coolant and other necessary parts. The radiator, thermostat, and coolant all have to be replaced. The mechanics stated that they have never seen anything like this happen to a car that wasn't at least 15 years old. My vehicle is a 2004 that I purchased in March 2004.
Early on a Saturday morning, I was driving on a relatively traffic free l.a. Freeway. I happened to look down and notice the check engine light on and the temp gauge pegged. There was no other indication of a problem. Fortunately I was able to get off the freeway before the car stalled. Upon inspection a small hole was found in the front of the radiator. The problem seems to be a large grill opening with no screen or other protection. Normally the radiator is protected by the ac cooler. But in the case of the Endeavor, an inch of cheap fragile aluminum radiator is left exposed to even the slightest of road debris. Since the stopping of a vehicle on a crowded freeway could result in a serious accident this needs to be corrected by the manufacturer. Radiator was replaced at customer?s expense.
Road debris caused a complete failure of my radiator because it is poorly designed with no protection from the front of the vehicle. There is no grill protection in front of the radiator so stones and debris are free to hit the radiator directly and puncture the tubing. This happened to me on 09-22-05. It will cost me $650 for a newly installed radiator from Mitsubishi. The problem I am having is the design flaw which leads to safety issues. I am not guaranteed this won't happen again after my new radiator is installed because Mitsubishi does not make an accessory to fix the design flaw. This is a safety issue because it will most likely happen on the highway at higher speeds, not city driving. Mitsubishi should be made aware of this complaint immediately.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. On February 22, 2006, the contact started her vehicle, heard a loud banging noise, and then the engine failed. On May 8, 2007, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the first failure was due to the upper engine and it was rebuilt. The dealer stated that the second failure was caused by the lower engine. The contact also stated that during the summer of 2006, the air conditioning failed. She stated that it would turn on and off automatically and it drained on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 74,200 and failure mileage was 51,983.
Bought this 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor used with 64K miles in January. Started using the air this summer and noticed driver's side floor is soaking wet after each use. Found online that multiple people are having this same issue. Called the dealership and they confirmed that Mitsubishi is aware of it and have put together a fix between $220-$350 but there is no re-call. I was told the problem is a failed seal in the A/C unit. Also, had to have the EGR sensor replaced twice. Called Mitsubishi and they said nothing they can do because the car is out of warranty. It ran $400-$500 each time at the dealership.
After driving on a long trip, found the driver's side floor carpet and mat soaked with water. Ac drain tube is blocked causing mold and odor. The drain tube is too short and located inside the firewall and needs to be lengthened out of the firewall (per Mitsubishi TSB-11-55-003). The flooring continues to be soaked with water even when the ac is not in operation. This is an unsafe condition due to the stepping on the wet floor mat and causing the break pedal and gas pedal to become wet, causing your foot to slip off the pedals when wet. Not to mention the breathing in the mold caused by the wetness.
I purchased a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor from dave smith motors in September, 2005. It has been in the shop for repairs 6 times. Once they replaced a falsely sealed front windshield, twice they repaired the heater core, and once they repaired the drive line. The 2 other visits were for initial inspection and estimate . Now it smells like burning electric wires and it is stalling while in motion. This car is unreliable and has been under repair for weeks! I am afraid to drive it because I never know when it is going to break down.
I have a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. A/C works some times in the city. Most of the time after driving on the open highway it blows warm air or not at all. The thermistor assy has been replaced as well as the resistor harness for thermistor assy. Did not correct he problem. Misubishi states (which is false) that the problem I am having was caused by the placement of a fin sensor by an independent garage. What is a fin sensor (never had this replaced) and do you have any suggestions. Thank you, bill
Engine complaints in other Endeavor years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor, 13% of the model year's 182 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.