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2003 Mitsubishi Outlander engine problems

16 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 67,500.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
67,500
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Cooling system
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Cooling system: fan
    2
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Cooling system: radiator assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mitsubishi Outlander engine problems in other years

200320052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 6Overheating 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Engine · 112,000 miles · PA

Car has been owned for 10+ years and has been maintained very well. Gas mileage has dropped since 2014. Car threw a p420 code in the years after. Catalytic converter has been replaced four times in a year. Oxygen sensor has been replaced and new exhaust has been installed. We have now seen the exhaust manifold has a crack in it. This appears to be a manufacturer issue.

Filed Apr 19, 2016 · Engine · 20,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. While driving at various speeds and also while in park, the vehicle began to overheat and the air conditioner blew hot air. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fan control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer multiple times where it was diagnosed that the fan control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired numerous times. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

When I bought my car some time last year everything seemed fine but after a few months things started to go wrong on the car. It began with me constantly having to get the oil changed the tires were bad the car started making noises that I couldn't explain and the tires in the tires in the back were constantly busting. The engine is now going bad and I have bought at least 10 sets of tires for the back in this year alone. I don't have the money to keep putting in this car and continue to pay the lease off for it as well. Its getting absolutely ridiculous.

Filed Oct 13, 2009 · Engine · 67,500 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. One year after purchasing the vehicle she had to replace the engine, radiator, gaskets, and water pump. She is currently unable to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer advised her that the coolant fan was replaced twice per the recall with the previous owner. They also stated that since the warranty expired she could not receive a free remedy. None of the repairs have remedied the failure. The failure mileage was 67,500.

Filed Jun 25, 2009 · Engine · 57,000 miles · NY

There have been no repair issues with this 2003 outlander. There have been no coolant or any fluid leaks with this car. The car suddenly filled with smoke on the passenger's side; smoke poured from the engine; prior to that - five minutes earlier the check engine light went on and acceleration was difficult; there was an odd odor as well as a metal on metal type sound. 911 was called as the smoke was heavy. The dealership was asked by mitsubishi corp. To pull the engine to determine if it was the engine - warrantied or our fault- a radiator issue. This was a 400$ cost to us unless they found in our favor..this was in addition to the 80$ diagnostic fee to begin the process. They are saying that there is a crack in the radiator where the engine connects by a hose to the radiator and that it is "normal" wear. There is nothing normal about this. It was immediate and catastrophic. They want to charge us $3600 to replace the engine. I am arguing that this is obviously a defect - we have 100,000/7 year warranty on the drivetrain. My car only has 57,000 miles and has run perfectly fine up to last week. I have asked mitsubishi to reconsider and have been promised an answer by a case manager by close of business tomorrow -6/25. I hold little hope that they will cover the cost of an engine yet I feel that the way in which the engine overheated and then died is not all normal for a car with such low mileage and one which has no history of repairs. We never received a recall notice on a radiator fan control part and wonder if that is what caused this series of events to occur. If so, are they not responsible for the repair? I currently have only four payments left on the car for a total of a bit under 2000$. The dealership told me that without replacing the engine, they could only give me 500$ toward a trade! I would appreciate your intervention and help.

Filed Jun 12, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 5,000 miles · CA

I had the cooling fan controller replaced two times/fans coming on immediately when starting the car/ I had to replace the third one on my dime/ now its cutting out @ certain speeds/ I have replaced the mass air flow meter/both coils /spark plugs/ plug wires still the problem continues.

Filed May 16, 2008 · Engine · 150,000 miles · NY

I was stuck in traffic for 45 minutes and my vehicle (2003 mitsubishi outlander) overheated. As a result of this I blew the seal in the radiator. I was never notified that there was a recall on the cooling fans but the dealership had my address and did not notify me. When I contacted the dealership, they stated that the notices are mailed from mitsubishi and not their dealership.

Filed Apr 28, 2008 · Engine · 134,000 miles · CA

I purchased a mitshbishi outlander in 2003. It recently overheated and I took to my regular auto shop. He changed the radiator because of the heating damage however, when he checked the fan system , he realized that the power motor was burnt out. He looked the vehicle up and notified me that there was a dealer recal l on the 2003-2006, cooling fan system. Because he had already worked on the car, I paid him ~$400 (I can't recall the exact amount at this time). I took the car to mitsubishi and they did inform me of the recall however, stated that they needed headquarters approval for the repair. Several days I was contacted and the repairs were not approved because, they stated that I was sent a recall notice in 2007. I explained that I never received such notice but they still refused to assist with any repairs, or any reimbursement for repairs. I think this is unfair and would greatly appreciate your assistance.

Filed Feb 21, 2008 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CT

On 12/21/07 I had my car serviced for the 75,000 mile service at the dealer. Then on 2/14/08 I was driving home from work when all of a sudden my mitsubishi outlander starting shaking and the service engine light came on. I immediately telephoned the dealer to see what they recommend I was asked to bring the car first thing in the morning. The very next day I barely made it to dealer which is only 7minutes away from my home (in the same town). As soon as I pulled into the dealership the car turned off. I was told that the heating coil burned out which caused my spark plugs to burn out and the car to misfire. I am being told that I may need to replace the engine if any of the pistons were damaged if not then I only have to replace the parts which were damaged. What I don't understand is how can this happen to a vehicle which has had every recommended service performed to it on or before the recommended mileage?!

Filed Jan 9, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 70,200 miles · VA

This is for a mitsubishi outlander 2003. There was a lot of water under the seats, don't know how, and the service engine light is on due to bad oxygen sensor and there might be corrosion in the electrical system, this can cause a fire, rear stop light stop working, the seat belt tensioner can go bad. Took the car to the dealership, and the manufacturer said that I only have 1 recall when the federal safety agency says that there's a recall for this,=the federal safety agency campaign number 03v194000.

Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander engine

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have engine problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 67,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Mitsubishi Outlander have bad engine?

The Mitsubishi Outlander model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (24 complaints), 2016 (20 complaints) and 2010 (19 complaints).

Other 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Suspension 28Lights 19Steering 14Visibility 11Electrical 9Airbags 8Fuel system 6Seat belts 6Transmission 6Body 5Acceleration 4Brakes 2Locks 2Tires 1Wheels 1

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