Most common 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of the 19 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 →
2005 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls (1)
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…
What 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say
Suspension
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while his mother owned the vehicle, she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). She took the vehicle to a dealer and upon inspection of the vehicle, the dealer found no defect with the lower control arm and sprayed an anti-rust agent on the part to prevent corrosion. Recently, the contact stated that while his daughter was at a stoplight, she heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that his daughter and Police Officers attempted to move the vehicle off to the shoulder however, the vehicle failed to move. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where he discovered that the lower control arm had collapsed due to severe corrosion. The front driver's side tire had also detached from the vehicle due to the failure. …
This vehicle recieved the [redacted] recall treatment in 2019 but the crossmember snapped anyway in april 2026. It snapped all the way through on the driverside causing the wheel to go completely sideways pulling out the cv axle with it, smashing into the wheel well and fender making the driverside door inoperable, and causing the TOTAL loss of control and needed emergency towing off the roadway.
Body & structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, there was an abnormal loud clunking sound coming from the front of the vehicle near the driver's feet. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact attempted to move the vehicle and noticed that the left wheel had seized. The contact stated that the tire was cambered in and resting on the front fender. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the control arm detached from extreme corrosion. The contact was also informed that the subframe was also corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000. The consumer stated that the vheicle is now repaired.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked outside in rainy weather, upon entering the vehicle, moderate amounts of rainwater was present in the front driver side floorboard. The doors or windows were not open prior to the incident. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the leak originated from the front driver side door water barrier trim. The dealer resealed the water barrier trim along the left front driver side door. Afterwards, the problem persisted. The manufacturer was alerted.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the computer was reprogrammed, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 15 MPH. In addition, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where a diagnostic was performed that located the failure at the accelerator pedal position sensor. The local mechanic installed a manifold absolute pressure sensor to the engine however the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The acceleration failure was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 80,000.
2005 Mitsubishi Outlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander a good car?
Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Outlander rates better than average: 82% 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 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The suspension — 9 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the body & structure (3) and transmission & drivetrain (3).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
There is 1 recall for the 2005 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 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 91,000 miles; 28% 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.