This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor powertrain problems
severe 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
When does it fail?
Of the 6 powertrain complaints filed for the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
1. My 2005 endeavor has 11,000 kms, covered by the warranty (it has less than a year since I bought it. Lst friday I was driving normally to my work when I felt thumps and if it were pulling back and forth. I don't know how but I managed to park, and when I did something under it ripped off and a huge spot of oil appeared. It leaked all the transmission fluid on the pavement. This could have been…
2005 Mitsubishi endeavor, I bought the car brand new, I have had the car for a year. On 12 oct 07, I went to get into my car and it wouldn't start, apparently the weld on the torque converter did not hold. The shop I took it to said that it had to be a defect, especially since the car wasn't that old. *jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Mitsubishi endeavor. While driving 40 MPH, the transmission suddenly locked. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the dashboard shift indicator light would flash whenever the vehicle was placed into drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 70,000.
I was pulling into an apartment parking lot at 3 miles per hour or less applied brake and car surged forward. I applied more pressure to brake and the car surged again and would not stop. This caused me to crash into a unoccupied parked car which banged another unoccupied car parked next to it. All 3 cars were damage. My car and the car I hit sustained front end damage. The third car was…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 61,103 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.