Most common 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of the 52 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Outlander complaints by model year
Best Outlander years: 2012, 2013, 2019. Years to avoid: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
2004 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls (4)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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,…
Remedy: 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…
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.
Trailer hitches
Certain sport utility vehicles May have been equipped with dealer-installed trailer hitch wiring harness and control module. The electronic control module can overheat.
Remedy: 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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the etacs module. Owner notification began November 14, 2003. Owners should contact Mitsubishi caribbean at 1-800-981-0452.
What 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say
Suspension all 20 →
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 driver's side front wheel was pointing outwards. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 believed to be road safe and needs to be addressed.
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. Upon depressing the brake pedal, the engine stalled. In addition, the gauging system was low. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 105,000.
I have always changed my oil well within the required maintenance schedule; I noticed an engine ticking noise around 15K miles, and signs of overheating (low level in the coolant overflow container). Dealer checked, found no problems. Driving to work on 9/13/07, engine ticking noise got 10 times louder. A local repair shop said it should be towed to dealer, which it was. Dealer said timing belt slipped; when replaced the belt, loud noise still existed. Removed engine cover, inspection showed valve damage. Technician inspected further, shows oil burned onto engine parts. Mistubishi denying repair under warranty, although all maintenance records meet required standard and car only has 24,000 miles. Never had any warning lights for overheating or low oil. Mitsubishi says wrong oil filter used by valvoline instant oil change site. I removed the oil filter, sent for testing. …
Body & structure
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 3 months ago, also in my garage, but a that time I was ready to turn to the right to go the door and the car suddenly accelerate very fast without me pushing the gas pedal, but fortunately I had plenty space to react, not this second time, but we are humans and the first reaction is to think that we made a mistake, but no ,im 100% sure that I did not pushed the accelerator..and with this second incident I was crazy thinking every minute in what happened, and in the possibility that will happen again with less fortune and with me and other people injured or death. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving 25-30 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear suspension was fractured and that the driver's side rear wheel separated from the vehicle. The contact stated that the fracture was due to severe rust. The contact was informed that the subframe showed severe and extreme rust. Walpole Mitsubishi (575 boston providence hwy, east walpole, ma 02032, [phone]) was contacted about the failure on the vehicle. The contact was informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
2004 Mitsubishi Outlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander a good car?
Based on 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Outlander rates average: 32% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Outlander at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The suspension — 20 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rear. Next are the engine & cooling (8) and body & structure (8).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander, the most recent from June 23, 2016 (lower arm). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Outlander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024 and 2025. See the full Mitsubishi Outlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 44% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.