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2003 Mitsubishi Outlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outlander years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander are substantially higher than the model-year median of 47.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 36 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

19 reports
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160,000 miles · Jan 16, 2018
Air BagsExterior LightingCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A WHILE, AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A WHILE, AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #11063034

140,000 miles · May 24, 2014
Exterior Lighting

RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER AND THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON BOTH SIDES ARE CRACKED, EXTREMELY CRAZED AND THE WHOLE THING IS MILKY, WHICH DULLS THE HEADLIGHT AT NIGHT, I HAVE RESEARCHED AND MITSUBISHI WILL NOT REPLACE AFTER WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. WITH ALL TH…

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RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER AND THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON BOTH SIDES ARE CRACKED, EXTREMELY CRAZED AND THE WHOLE THING IS MILKY, WHICH DULLS THE HEADLIGHT AT NIGHT, I HAVE RESEARCHED AND MITSUBISHI WILL NOT REPLACE AFTER WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, MITSUBISHI SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593869

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2012
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS OF THIS MODEL GET SEVERELY CRACKED TO THE POINT OF RAINWATER ACCUMULATING INSIDE THEM AND BURNING THE LIGHTS. DRIVERS ARE RISKING LOOSING THEIR HEADLIGHTS WHEN THEY NEED THEM MOST - IN A BAD RAINSTORM. MITSUBISHI DOESN'T OFFER HEADLIGHT COVERS AS A SEPARATE PART, SO THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE CHANGED EVERY FEW Y…

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THE HEADLIGHTS OF THIS MODEL GET SEVERELY CRACKED TO THE POINT OF RAINWATER ACCUMULATING INSIDE THEM AND BURNING THE LIGHTS. DRIVERS ARE RISKING LOOSING THEIR HEADLIGHTS WHEN THEY NEED THEM MOST - IN A BAD RAINSTORM. MITSUBISHI DOESN'T OFFER HEADLIGHT COVERS AS A SEPARATE PART, SO THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE CHANGED EVERY FEW YEARS. NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS RAMPANT. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT MITSUBISHI HAS LET ALL OF THEIR OUTLANDER'03 CUSTOMERS TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES EVEN THOUGH IT'S SOMETHING THEY ARE BEST EQUIPPED TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463625

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2011
Exterior Lighting

ALL HEADLIGHTS ON 2003 -2006 OUTLANDERS CRACK SEVERELY BESIDES BESIDES BRING EXPENSIVE THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT BECAUSE OF RAIN THERFORE BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427058

50,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Exterior Lighting

2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED. THEY FIRST BECAME CLOUDY WITH SMALL CRACKS. EVENTUALLY THOSE CRACKS BECAME LARGER AND THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE FILLED WITH WATER MAKING THEM INOPERABLE. THIS BEGAN IN YEAR FIVE OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS PARKED IN A GAR…

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2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED. THEY FIRST BECAME CLOUDY WITH SMALL CRACKS. EVENTUALLY THOSE CRACKS BECAME LARGER AND THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE FILLED WITH WATER MAKING THEM INOPERABLE. THIS BEGAN IN YEAR FIVE OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS PARKED IN A GARAGE OVERNIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411506

60,000 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Exterior Lighting

DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER.. THE HEADLAMP LENSES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE TOTALLY FAILED. THEY ARE MILKY IN COLOR, NOT THE CLEAR THEY SHOULD BE, AND THE LENSES THEMSELVES ARE CRACKED AND CRAZED, BUT SHOW NO IMPACT DAMAGE, OR DAMAGE OF ANY OTHER KIND OTHER THAN DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC ITSELF. …

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DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER.. THE HEADLAMP LENSES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE TOTALLY FAILED. THEY ARE MILKY IN COLOR, NOT THE CLEAR THEY SHOULD BE, AND THE LENSES THEMSELVES ARE CRACKED AND CRAZED, BUT SHOW NO IMPACT DAMAGE, OR DAMAGE OF ANY OTHER KIND OTHER THAN DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC ITSELF. THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND I WOULD ESTIMATE THE LIGHT OUTPUT AT MUCH LESS THAN 50% OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE. MY LOCAL DEALER WILL REPLACE THEM FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $1,251.10 INCLUDING TAX AND LABOR BUT IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THESE ITEMS ARE DEFINITELY SAFETY RELATED, AND ARE DEFINITELY SAFETY HAZARD. THEY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, OR AT LEAST MUCH LONGER THAN THEY HAVE. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THESE AVAILABLE TO EMAIL AND THERE IS AN INTERNET SITE IN THE MITSUBISHI FORUMS THAT REPORTS NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS DESCRIBED ALMOST IDENTICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365836

69,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE WHEN PARKED. BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE SEVERE CRACKS AND NOW I HAVE MOISTURE INSIDE THE LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354321

30,000 miles · May 9, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I ALSO HAVE THE CRACKING LIGHT PROBLEM WHICH REDUCES VISION AT NIGHT. WHENEVER THE CAR WAS MUCH NEWER I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR A SERVICE COMPLIANCE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EXCEPT REPLACE THE ASSEMBLIES AT ABOUT 150-200 DOLLARS PER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329497

36,000 miles · May 6, 2010
Exterior Lighting

FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE CRACKING FROM THE INSIDE OUT REDUCING THE LIGHT, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329154

15,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Exterior Lighting

MY MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER HEADLIGHTS ARE CRACKED AND HAZED, THIS IS NOT FROM NORMAL USE, THIS IS DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY. THEY HAVE CAUSED ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES 3 TIMES DUE TO POOR ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD OFFER TO FIX THE HEADLIGHTS, OR OFFER A DISCOUNT, NOT $300 HUNDR…

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MY MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER HEADLIGHTS ARE CRACKED AND HAZED, THIS IS NOT FROM NORMAL USE, THIS IS DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY. THEY HAVE CAUSED ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES 3 TIMES DUE TO POOR ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD OFFER TO FIX THE HEADLIGHTS, OR OFFER A DISCOUNT, NOT $300 HUNDRED DOLLARS A PIECE TO REPLACE!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318896

Official recalls

6

16V458000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Jun 23, 2016

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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE 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. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

04V197000 · Trailer Hitches

Apr 26, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

04V067000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Feb 11, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy: A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

03V194000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

May 20, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER COULD ENTER THE FRONT FLOORBOARD AREA FROM OPENINGS IN THE SIDE SILL OR UPPER DASH AREA. THIS WATER COULD COLLECT UNDER THE SEAT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL CORROSION TO OCCUR IN THE HARNESS CONNECTORS THAT CONTAIN THE WIRING FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER, SIDE AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR, AND STOP LAMPS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ELECTRICAL CORROSION OF THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER TO MALFUNCTION, THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY AND/OR THE BRAKE LAMPS NOT TO ILLUMINATE OR TO FALSELY ILLUMINATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SIDE SILLS AND DASH PANEL FOR OPENINGS THAT MAY ALLOW WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. IN ADDITION TO SEALING ANY OPENINGS THAT MAY BE FOUND, THE WIRING CONNECTORS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF ELECTRICAL CORROSION. THE FLOOR HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED IF IT HAS ANY SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE OR ELECTRICAL CORROSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

03V028000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jan 30, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, ICE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE THROTTLE VALVE. THIS ICE BUILD-UP COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK OR NOT TO RETURN TO IDLE AFTER ACCELERATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER TO ELIMINATE THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.