Check a VIN

2003 Mitsubishi Outlander lights problems

19 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
19
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
50,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Headlights
    4
  • Headlights: concealment devices
    2
  • Brake lights
    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 lights problems in other years

20032005201020152024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander lights

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

Headlights 17

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 16, 2018 · Airbags, Lights · 160,000 miles · GA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. While driving various speeds at night, the headlights intermittently illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, waited a while, and was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. In addition, the contact crashed into another vehicle while driving 30 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed May 24, 2014 · Lights · 140,000 miles · NC

Recently bought a used 2003 mitsubishi outlander and the headlight lens on both sides are cracked, extremely crazed and the whole thing is milky, which dulls the headlight at night, I have researched and mitsubishi will not replace after warranty, it would cost about $1000 to replace the entire headlight assemblies. With all the complaints on this issue, mitsubishi should do something about it.

Filed Jun 29, 2012 · Lights · FL

The headlights of this model get severely cracked to the point of rainwater accumulating inside them and burning the lights. Drivers are risking loosing their headlights when they need them most - in a bad rainstorm. Mitsubishi doesn't offer headlight covers as a separate part, so the whole assembly has to be changed every few years. No recall has been done even though the problem is rampant. I haven't been in an accident but mitsubishi has let all of their outlander'03 customers to fend for themselves even though it's something they are best equipped to fix.

Filed Sep 25, 2011 · Lights · FL

All headlights on 2003 -2006 outlanders crack severely besides besides bring expensive the headlights go out because of rain therfore become a safety hazard [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 8, 2011 · Lights · 50,000 miles · FL

2003 mitsubishi outlander head lamp assemblies have failed. They first became cloudy with small cracks. Eventually those cracks became larger and the head lamp assemblies have filled with water making them inoperable. This began in year five of owning the vehicle. This vehicle has never been in an accident and is parked in a garage overnight.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Lights · 60,000 miles · WA

Defective headlamp assemblies on 2003 mitsubishi outlander.. The headlamp lenses on this vehicle have totally failed. They are milky in color, not the clear they should be, and the lenses themselves are cracked and crazed, but show no impact damage, or damage of any other kind other than deterioration of the plastic itself. The vehicle is very unsafe to drive at night and I would estimate the light output at much less than 50% of what it should be. My local dealer will replace them for a grand total of $1,251.10 including tax and labor but it is my contention that these items are definitely safety related, and are definitely safety hazard. They should last the life of the vehicle, or at least much longer than they have. I have photographs of these available to email and there is an internet site in the mitsubishi forums that reports numerous other complaints described almost identically.

Filed Sep 7, 2010 · Lights · 69,000 miles · FL

I have a 2003 mitsubishi outlander which I purchased new. It has never been in an accident and has been kept in a garage when parked. Both of my headlights have severe cracks and now I have moisture inside the lights.

Filed May 9, 2010 · Lights · 30,000 miles · OK

I also have the cracking light problem which reduces vision at night. Whenever the car was much newer I had taken it in to the dealer for a service compliance and told them about the lights and was told there was nothing they could do except replace the assemblies at about 150-200 dollars per side.

Filed May 6, 2010 · Lights · 36,000 miles · FL

From the time of purchase the headlight assemblies are cracking from the inside out reducing the light, making it unsafe to drive at night.

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Lights · 15,000 miles · KY

My mitsubishi outlander headlights are cracked and hazed, this is not from normal use, this is defect in the manufacturing of the headlight assy. They have caused me to slam on my brakes 3 times due to poor illumination of the road. I believe that mitsubishi should offer to fix the headlights, or offer a discount, not $300 hundred dollars a piece to replace!!!!!

Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander lights

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have lights problems?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander lights?

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

What year does the Mitsubishi Outlander have the most lights problems?

The Mitsubishi Outlander model years with the most lights complaints are 2003 (19 complaints), 2016 (12 complaints) and 2007 (10 complaints).

Other 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Suspension 28Engine 16Steering 14Visibility 11Electrical 9Airbags 8Fuel system 6Seat belts 6Transmission 6Body 5Acceleration 4Brakes 2Locks 2Tires 1Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history