The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander2003
20041st generation
About average · most complaints: suspension
39 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Toyota RAV4 352003 Honda CR-V 1302003 Ford Escape 106
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
- Headlights15 complaintsmostly at 35,000–75,000 miles (56,000–121,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion12 complaintsmostly at 70,000–190,000 miles (113,000–306,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm9 complaintsmostly at 64,000–148,000 miles (103,000–238,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V458000 (suspension), 04V428000 (equipment) and 04V197000 (trailer hitches) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 62 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Suspension noises after strut installation”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 39 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 32K miles (0K to 51K km) on the car (19 of all 39 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
When driving vehicle pulled to the right. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for a wheel alignment on three occassions, but problem recurred.
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander owner · NHTSA complaint 10073984
More owner reports
Car bushing had to be replaced with only 6000 miles.. Why? Dealer couldnt explain. Also, twice car has accelerated when coasting on flat road.
NHTSA complaint 10058913
Outland continues to pull very hard to the right. It has been serviced three times and problem still occurs. Dealership says there is no problem and the pulling is normal.
NHTSA complaint 10039043
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 62 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Suspension noises after strut installation
- Suspension noises
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross me.
- Equipment · recall issued 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 …
- Trailer hitches · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE.
Show all 6 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 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 HEAD…
- Electrical · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER COULD ENTER THE FRONT FLOORBOARD AREA FROM OPENINGS IN THE SIDE SILL OR UPPER DASH AREA.
- Speed control · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, ICE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE THROTTLE VALVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Outlander recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/?y=2003" title="Mitsubishi Outlander reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 105; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mitsubishi Outlander year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2020.
What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (26%), steering (23%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
6 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Mitsubishi Outlander year than the 2003?
Not nearby: the 2003 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mitsubishi Outlander years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works