2003 Mitsubishi Outlander Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Rear
  5
• Front
  3
• Front › Control arm › Upper arm
  1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  528%
• 25k–50k
  211%
• 50k–75k
  211%
• 75k–100k
  16%
• 100k–150k
  317%
• 150k+
  528%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle came to an immediate stop and did not return to normal operation. The contact noticed that the front control arm had detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in the recall but already had been serviced under the recall; however, the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 188,000.

Car taken to dealership, anderson Mitsubishi, 8162790354), January 2017, for NHTSA recall 16V458. Crossmember not replaced or rust treated. Crossmember failed 4-20-2019. Repaired at my expense $2161.70. Made claim for reimbursement through Mitsubishi dealer and Mitsubishi of north America. Have a Mitsubishi file number [redacted]. Mitsubishi of na has verbally agreed to settle, but has not contacted me since August of 2019. I have not been able to get my calls returned since. The crossmember broke while my wife was driving on city streets which caused the car to veer into oncoming traffic lane, without accident. Car was towed and repaired at my expense. I need help getting my reimbursement paid. I am the original owner of the car.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving unknown speeds, the control arm, ball joint, cross members, and cv axle detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to savannah Mitsubishi (8203 white bluff rd, savannah, ga 31406, phone number: [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the cross members were corroded through and caused the cv axle, ball joint, and control arm to detach. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V458000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V458000(suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Dorsett automotive in terre haute, in refused to perform the repair because the passenger side outer tie rod and lower control arm needed to be repaired before the recall repair could be completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the components had to be repaired before the remedy could be performed. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound when the brake pedal was depressed and the front end of the vehicle shook uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that it needed a wheel alignment and the tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V458000 (suspension); however,the part was unavailable for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,432.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that the rear cross member fractured due to corrosion while the vehicle was parked at the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V458000 (suspension); however, the recall only covered the front cross member. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and instructed that the repairs would not be performed per a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V458000 (suspension). The contact stated that the recall should also cover the frame that held the rear axle, which the contact stated was more rusted than the front frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall did not cover the rear frame. The failure mileage was 193,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that the rear suspension and cross member were corroded. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that a travel-arm hubbering was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Rear control arms are rusted through, there was a recall for the front and had the repairs done. The front control arm recall was due to poor rust proofing during manufacturing. The rear has the same problem. Cannot realign rear wheels and rear sway bar bracket broke free entirely. Vehicle is now stationary as it cannot be driven.

When car was first purchased told dealer it felt like back end was kickin out on wet roads,took it dealer was told they could find nothing. Several days later car spun out on way to work due to blow out. Had vehicle towed to dealer were upper and lower lats. Were replaced.(no old parts not available) car seemed OK for several months at which point it began to feel like it was sliding around in rear end again. Again dealer checked found nothing.. My husband threw a fit with dealer at which point a ball joint was replaced(part not available), in my opinion only to pacify us. The car has still never felt right. At which point the warranty has expired and the dealership refuses to even talk to us about this. Now four months after having four new tires mounted and balanced I have two rear tires so worn and damaged the belts are coming through them. …

Related recalls

Suspension complaints in other Outlander years