Model year
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 116 complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION (20), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (12), STEERING (10). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 116 complaints
- 2004 52 complaints
- 2005 19 complaints
- 2006 21 complaints
- 2007 125 complaints
- 2008 58 complaints
- 2009 46 complaints
- 2010 60 complaints
- 2011 58 complaints
- 2012 22 complaints
- 2013 26 complaints
- 2014 45 complaints
- 2015 53 complaints
- 2016 145 complaints
- 2017 51 complaints
- 2018 57 complaints
- 2019 29 complaints
- 2020 31 complaints
- 2021 19 complaints
- 2022 217 complaints
- 2023 50 complaints
- 2024 26 complaints
- 2025 15 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
16V458000 · Jun 23, 2016
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,…
04V428000 · Sep 1, 2004
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…
04V197000 · Apr 26, 2004
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.
04V067000 · Feb 11, 2004
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
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…
03V194000 · May 20, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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…
03V028000 · Jan 30, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Complaints
116 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 10, fire flag on 2, injury field 8, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlander 2WD · 2.4L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Outlander 4WD · 2.4L · Automatic (S4) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 23 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.