2003 Mitsubishi Outlander: headlights failing or too dim

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 Apr 8, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 104,000 miles · NC

I purchased my 2003 mitsubishi outlander in february, 2013 with 104,000 miles on it. At first everything seemed fine, but after 2 weeks the back end of the car on the passenger side squeaks and makes lots of noise. At first it would only do it a little but it got worse and worse within a couple weeks it constantly makes noise, which is very annoying. I think the dealership must have done a quick cheap fix on it so when I test drove it, it would not do it until it was purchased. I also have water seeping in in the floor next to the door on the driver side and water coming through the dash area on the passenger side when it rains or in a car wash. I read online that that can cause electrical problems which worry's me. My head lights also have cracks and fogged up and makes it hard to see at night, which I've seen to be a common problem with this car. I don't understand why this car was never recalled for all the problems it has, this is ridiculous!

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 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!!!!!

Filed Sep 22, 2009 · Lights · 35,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. Both front headlight in the vehicle are cracked which allows water to go inside. Due to this, the vehicle will not pass inspection. She did research on this defect and found numerous complaints on this problem. She also found a tsb on this problem and she spoke with the manufacture, they stated it was not a recall because it does not appear to be a safety concern. She believes this should be recalled and that the manufacture should be responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 35,000. The current mileage is 68,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2009 · Lights · 25,000 miles · WV

The headlights on my 2003 mitsubishi outlander have stress cracks eventually resulting in them fogging over and even taking in water and blowing bulbs. When I researched it online, it appears this is a common problem among this make/model of vehicle. Replacement assembly kits are only available through the dealer and this is not covered under any kind of warranty.