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2003 MITSUBISHI Outlander

6 recalls Risk Grade: D- Most severe issue: High Priority

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

High Priority #16V458000 Plain English
Component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
What Happened
Your vehicle's front lower control arm helps connect the suspension to the frame, keeping your car stable on the road. It's located near the front wheels and can be damaged by salt water exposure.
Risk if Unfixed
If the control arm detaches, you could lose control of your vehicle, which could lead to a crash and potentially cause injury or damage.
Free Fix
Don't worry, this repair is free! You'll need to take your vehicle to a Mitsubishi dealership, where they'll inspect the front cross member and apply a special sealant or replace it with a new one that's resistant to corrosion. They'll take care of it for you at no cost.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #03V194000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
What Happened
Water may enter your vehicle through openings in the side sill or upper dash area, potentially causing electrical corrosion in the wiring under your front seat.
Risk if Unfixed
If not fixed, this could lead to malfunctioning seat belt pre-tensioner, non-deployment of side air bags, or brake lamps that may not work or give false signals.
Free Fix
Dealers will inspect and seal any openings, inspect wiring connectors for corrosion, and replace the floor harness if damaged. This is a free service, and you should contact the dealership to schedule an appointment.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER COULD ENTER THE FRONT FLOORBOARD AREA FROM OPENINGS IN THE SIDE SILL OR UPPER DASH AREA. THIS WATER COULD COLLECT UNDER THE SEAT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL CORROSION TO OCCUR IN THE HARNESS CONNECTORS THAT CONTAIN THE WIRING FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER, SIDE AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR, AND STOP LAMPS.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
ELECTRICAL CORROSION OF THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER TO MALFUNCTION, THE SIDE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY AND/OR THE BRAKE LAMPS NOT TO ILLUMINATE OR TO FALSELY ILLUMINATE.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SIDE SILLS AND DASH PANEL FOR OPENINGS THAT MAY ALLOW WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. IN ADDITION TO SEALING ANY OPENINGS THAT MAY BE FOUND, THE WIRING CONNECTORS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF ELECTRICAL CORROSION. THE FLOOR HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED IF IT HAS ANY SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE OR ELECTRICAL CORROSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Low Priority #04V428000 Plain English
Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN
What Happened
Your vehicle's warning labels on the dashboard and sun visor don't meet safety standards, which could affect how well you understand the airbag system.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're in a crash, you might not be fully aware of the airbag's status, which could increase the risk of injury.
Free Fix
Mitsubishi will send you a notification with a new label description and a replacement airbag warning label for the sun visor, and you should contact them at 1-787-251-8715 to confirm.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Original — Remedy
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #04V197000 Plain English
Component

TRAILER HITCHES

Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
Your vehicle may have a faulty trailer hitch wiring harness and control module installed by a dealer, which can overheat.
Risk if Unfixed
If this harness overheats, it could cause a fire.
Free Fix
Do not use the trailer hitch until a new, improved harness is installed by the dealership, free of charge.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Original — Remedy
OWNERS ARE BEING REQUESTED TO STOP USING THE HARNESS UNTIL A NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT IS PROVIDED AND CAN BE INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #04V067000 Plain English
Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
Your vehicle's owner's manual doesn't have clear instructions on how to properly adjust the headrest when installing a car seat.
Risk if Unfixed
If the car seat is not installed correctly, your child could be injured in the event of a crash.
Free Fix
You'll receive a letter with a sticker that explains the correct steps for adjusting the headrest, and where to put the sticker in your owner's manual. This service is free and will be done at no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION FOR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM (CRS) TETHER STRAP.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THE TETHER STRAP IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TO THE TETHER ANCHOR, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINED. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED.
Original — Remedy
A LETTER OUTLINING THE PROBLEM WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ALONG WITH A STICKER CONTAINING THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO AFFIX THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #03V028000 Plain English
Component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
What Happened
Ice can build up inside your vehicle's engine throttle valve, causing the accelerator pedal to stick or not return to idle when it gets extremely cold.
Risk if Unfixed
If your vehicle doesn't return to idle, you could lose control and crash without any warning.
Free Fix
We'll reprogram your engine control computer to prevent this issue, and it's completely free - just schedule an appointment with your authorized dealer.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, ICE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE THROTTLE VALVE. THIS ICE BUILD-UP COULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK OR NOT TO RETURN TO IDLE AFTER ACCELERATING.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER TO ELIMINATE THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

EQUIPMENT
2 recalls
SUSPENSION
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall
TRAILER HITCHES
1 recall
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 recall

Other MITSUBISHI Outlander Years

2019
5 recalls
2018
6 recalls
2017
6 recalls
2016
8 recalls
2015
5 recalls
2014
4 recalls
2013
5 recalls
2012
6 recalls
2011
8 recalls
2010
10 recalls
2009
13 recalls
2008
12 recalls
2007
9 recalls
2006
1 recall
2005
1 recall
2004
4 recalls

Related Pages

2002 MITSUBISHI Outlander Recalls 2004 MITSUBISHI Outlander Recalls All MITSUBISHI Recalls MITSUBISHI Outlander Recall History