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2003 Mitsubishi Outlander suspension problems

28 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 67,384.

owner complaints
28
of this car's complaints
24%
typical mileage
67,384
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Rear
    5
  • Front
    3
  • Front: control arm: upper arm
    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 suspension problems in other years

200320052010201520202024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander suspension

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

Ball joint 11

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported June 23, 2016 · 194,674 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

Recall number 16V458000 · Recall details

What 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Suspension · 188,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle came to an immediate stop and did not return to normal operation. The contact noticed that the front control arm had detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in the recall but already had been serviced under the recall; however, the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 188,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · NY

Rear control arms are rusted through, there was a recall for the front and had the repairs done. The front control arm recall was due to poor rust proofing during manufacturing. The rear has the same problem. Cannot realign rear wheels and rear sway bar bracket broke free entirely. Vehicle is now stationary as it cannot be driven.

Filed Nov 4, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 67,384 miles · MO

Car taken to dealership, anderson mitsubishi, 8162790354), january 2017, for the federal safety agency recall 16v458. Crossmember not replaced or rust treated. Crossmember failed 4-20-2019. Repaired at my expense $2161.70. Made claim for reimbursement through mitsubishi dealer and mitsubishi of north america. Have a mitsubishi file number [xxx]. Mitsubishi of na has verbally agreed to settle, but has not contacted me since august of 2019. I have not been able to get my calls returned since. The crossmember broke while my wife was driving on city streets which caused the car to veer into oncoming traffic lane, without accident. Car was towed and repaired at my expense. I need help getting my reimbursement paid. I am the original owner of the car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 1, 2017 · Suspension · 148,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000(suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Dorsett automotive in terre haute, in refused to perform the repair because the passenger side outer tie rod and lower control arm needed to be repaired before the recall repair could be completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the components had to be repaired before the remedy could be performed. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2017 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. While driving unknown speeds, the control arm, ball joint, cross members, and cv axle detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to savannah mitsubishi (8203 white bluff rd, savannah, ga 31406, phone number: (912) 226-6200) where it was diagnosed that the cross members were corroded through and caused the cv axle, ball joint, and control arm to detach. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2017 · Suspension · 193,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The contact stated that the recall should also cover the frame that held the rear axle, which the contact stated was more rusted than the front frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall did not cover the rear frame. The failure mileage was 193,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Dec 9, 2016 · Suspension · 190,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that the rear suspension and cross member were corroded. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that a travel-arm hubbering was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Suspension · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000(suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Suspension · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to be inspected for the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension), the technician informed that the front cross member was corroded and needed to be replaced however, the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Suspension · 220,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that the rear cross member fractured due to corrosion while the vehicle was parked at the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension); however, the recall only covered the front cross member. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and instructed that the repairs would not be performed per a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander suspension

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander, 24% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 67,384 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 16V458000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mitsubishi Outlander have bad suspension?

The Mitsubishi Outlander model years with the most suspension complaints are 2007 (58 complaints), 2003 (28 complaints) and 2004 (20 complaints).

Other 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Lights 19Engine 16Steering 14Visibility 11Electrical 9Airbags 8Fuel system 6Seat belts 6Transmission 6Body 5Acceleration 4Brakes 2Locks 2Tires 1Wheels 1

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