IllustrationTEMPERATURE KNOB BROKE OFF AFTER GETTING STUCK. SOUNDS LIKE THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. I GOT AN ESTIMATE TO FIX IT FROM THE DEALER. OVER $2000. MAJOR ISSUE IN THE WINTER FOR DEFROST/HEAT. *TR
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
Compare all Outlander years →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
210–25K
1025–50K
1150–75K
1075–100K
14100–150K
14150K+
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
Visibility complaints
6 reportsI OWN A MITSUBISHI 2003 OUTLANDER - THE HEATING COOLING KNOB IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF - I SPENT OVER $300 TO FIX IT - THEY INSTALLED A $150.00 PART BUT SAID I WOULD NEED A MORE EXTENSIVE FIX TO GET THE KNOB TO TURN FROM HEATING TO COOLING. THAT WOULD COST OVER $1500 ALSO TO TURN IT I HAVE TO GET DOWN ON T…
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I OWN A MITSUBISHI 2003 OUTLANDER - THE HEATING COOLING KNOB IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF - I SPENT OVER $300 TO FIX IT - THEY INSTALLED A $150.00 PART BUT SAID I WOULD NEED A MORE EXTENSIVE FIX TO GET THE KNOB TO TURN FROM HEATING TO COOLING. THAT WOULD COST OVER $1500 ALSO TO TURN IT I HAVE TO GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND PUSH ON A PART UNDER THE HEATING SYSTEM - THIS IS DANGEROUS WITH A RISK OF BURNS BECAUSE IT GETS HOT DOWN THERE. I FEEL THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS - NOT REALISTIC TO HAVE SUCH AN EXPENSIVEFIX FOR WHAT SHOULD BE A SIMPLE PROBLEM WITH A TIGHT CABLE . THEY KNOW ABOUT IT - OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMALL STONES FELL OFF OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE SUNROOF OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, DEBRIS AND GLASS SHATTERED INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE. TWO PASSENGERS WERE MODERATELY INJURED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMALL STONES FELL OFF OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE SUNROOF OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, DEBRIS AND GLASS SHATTERED INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE. TWO PASSENGERS WERE MODERATELY INJURED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 6/18/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUN ROOF WAS NOT TEMPERED. UPDATED 06/22/09. *JB
THE TEMPERATURE KNOB ON THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2003 IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN ON FOR HEAT. SOMETIMES I CAN'T GET IT TO MOVE AT ALL, AND I HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE COLD. I SUFFER FROM ARTHRITIS, AND THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO DRIVE AS MY FINGERS FREEZE-UP IN THE COLD WEATHER. *TR
I AM HIGHLY UPSET ABOUT OUR 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR CAR. THE HEATER KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN FROM HOT TO COLD AND EVENTUALLY BROKE. I WENT IN TO VIVA MITSUBISHI AND THE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT ON THE OUTLANDERS AND LANCERS. THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE CARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THEY ALSO I…
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I AM HIGHLY UPSET ABOUT OUR 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR CAR. THE HEATER KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN FROM HOT TO COLD AND EVENTUALLY BROKE. I WENT IN TO VIVA MITSUBISHI AND THE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT ON THE OUTLANDERS AND LANCERS. THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE CARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THEY ALSO INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $1300 TO FIX IT. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. I HAVE TO LITTLE BOYS AND IT GETS COLD HERE AND MY BOYS HAVE TO FREEZE. ALSO, WHEN WE NEED TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS, WE CAN'T CHANGE THE TEMP AND IT DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD FOR US. I CAN'T BELIEVE MITSUBISHI IS WILLING TO PUT OUR LIVES, EVEN CHILDREN'S LIVES, IN DANGER ALL BECAUSE THEY WON'T RECALL THIS PART. *TR
THE CONSUMER MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE ENGINE HAD RUN AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. THE WIPERS DID NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS OR OPERATE ON HIGH SPEED, THE KEYLESS REMOTE SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE,…
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THE CONSUMER MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE ENGINE HAD RUN AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. THE WIPERS DID NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS OR OPERATE ON HIGH SPEED, THE KEYLESS REMOTE SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE FUEL CAP DID NOT LOCK. RECALL#03V0S8000-THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. MR SCC *JB
Official recalls
616V458000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.