Mitsubishi

Outlander (2004)

2004 · Compact SUV · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.0)
52 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
10 Crash Reports
View all 7 generations of the Mitsubishi Outlander → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Mitsubishi Outlander Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (3.0)
50 complaints 50.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension
20
body
8
engine
8
safety systems
6
exterior
6

Known Issues

Suspension Issues (20 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (8 complaints)
Engine Issues (8 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.6)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
1
safety systems
1

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (1 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mitsubishi Outlander regardless of engine variant.

Suspension Issues (20 complaints)
suspension critical
Body/Trim Issues (8 complaints)
body critical
Engine Issues (8 complaints)
engine critical

Recalls (4)

16V458000Jun 22, 2016serious
Suspension

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.

04V197000Apr 25, 2004serious
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.

04V428000Jan 8, 2004cosmetic
Equipment

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.

03V429000Mar 10, 2003serious
Visibility

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

The 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander has accumulated 52 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Suspension, Body/Trim, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander engine is most reliable?

The 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander a good used car?

The 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 52 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

The 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander has 52 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander?

There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2004-2004 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander?

Before buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Suspension, Body/Trim, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Outlander have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 52 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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