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2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander is suspension, typically around 136,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Outlander model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
83/100
Owner complaints
19
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
49
Worst area
Suspension
Fuel economy
20-22mpg

The worst 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Suspension
    9
  • Body
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Suspension
    9
  • Body
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 1

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

See all 1 recalls for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander 49

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 49 bulletins for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander

2005 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD1924-2521-22
2.4L 4‑cyl4WD1823-2520-21

What 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · MN

This vehicle recieved the [XXX] recall treatment in 2019 but the crossmember snapped anyway in april 2026. It snapped all the way through on the driverside causing the wheel to go completely sideways pulling out the cv axle with it, smashing into the wheel well and fender making the driverside door inoperable, and causing the TOTAL loss of control and needed emergency towing off the roadway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 7, 2022 · Suspension · 91,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while his mother owned the vehicle, she received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). She took the vehicle to a dealer and upon inspection of the vehicle, the dealer found no defect with the lower control arm and sprayed an anti-rust agent on the part to prevent corrosion. Recently, the contact stated that while his daughter was at a stoplight, she heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that his daughter and Police Officers attempted to move the vehicle off to the shoulder however, the vehicle failed to move. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where he discovered that the lower control arm had collapsed due to severe corrosion. The front driver’s side tire had also detached from the vehicle due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000. Consumer did not have a blow out. Consumer just exited the highway came to a stop and the previously recalled crossmember collapsed.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 198,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, there was an abnormal loud clunking sound coming from the front of the vehicle near the driver's feet. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact attempted to move the vehicle and noticed that the left wheel had seized. The contact stated that the tire was cambered in and resting on the front fender. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the control arm detached from extreme corrosion. The contact was also informed that the subframe was also corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000.*dt*bf*jb the consumer stated that the vheicle is now repaired.

Filed Jul 4, 2018 · Suspension · 205,000 miles · VA

While driving along a paved rural road in a moderate left turn at approximately 25 MPH the lower left rear control arm detached from the rear cross member. This noticeably affected the handling of the vehicle and caused the tire to contact the body of the vehicle. The rear cross member was found severely rusted.

Filed Mar 2, 2018 · Suspension · 136,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. While driving approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn, the steering malfunctioned and the vehicle would not turn. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the two front wheels were positioned in opposite directions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front cross member had fractured due to rusting. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 136,000. *tt

Filed Jan 7, 2018 · Suspension · 5 miles · OH

My front crossmember and control arms were rusted out I pay cash to get it fixed now it's under a recall now my rear cross member in control arms are rusted in mitsubishi won't fix the car I tried too pay cash and they turn me down the front crossmember was under a recall so the rear crossmember should be under a recall as well the rear is rusty just like how the front was rusty

Filed Jan 28, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 110,000 miles · IA · crash

My car is part of a safety recall due to corrosion of the cross members of my vehicle. Prior to the recall my vehicle failed due to the cross members failing. At the time of the failure I was going 65 MPH on the interstate when the frame snapped in 2. There was a lot of damage to my vehicle due to the impact of the frame splitting and many other parts of the vehicle were affected. Now mitsubishi is expecting me to pay for some of the alternative damage caused by this accident. They are asking me to pay for damage that was done to the power steering pump and hose for a total of $1,700. I have had several discussions with the corporate office and local dealer with no success. The car was in perfectly fine working condition prior to the failure and I am just asking for the vehicle to be fixed and returned to me in the same condition it was before the failure. I have not had the car for 6 months while waiting for them to finish the repairs. I am very frustrated with them. I am hoping you can help.

Filed Dec 14, 2016 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · CT · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 mitsubishi outlander. While driving 20 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering wheel and crashed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a scrap yard. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 60,000 miles · AZ

Tail lights work sporadically. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. The motor fan is on all the time. Problem is a an electrical switch board. They had a recall on it in australia.

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · 99,000 miles · AZ

The control knob for the A/C to heat freezes so that it cannot be turned. Repairs cost around $900.

Compare the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander

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Other model years

20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020222023202420252026

Questions about the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander, fewer than a typical Outlander model year.

What is the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander year score?

The 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander scores 83 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Suspension, with 9 complaints, typically around 136,000 miles. Next is body (3).

How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

1 recall, covering suspension.

Was there a recall on the 2005 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).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 24-25 highway.

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