This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak may result in replacement of absorbers unnecessarily when trace amounts of oil are noted to have adhered to the shock absorber.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Mitsubishi Outlander suspension problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 7 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 suspension 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 Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak may result in replacement of absorbers unnecessarily when trace amounts of oil are noted to have adhered to the shock absorber.
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 ↗SUSPENSION NOISES AFTER STRUT INSTALLATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The…
Dt: the contact complained about front suspension problems since purchasing the vehicle. . There was a strong noise in the front suspension besides the alignment problems. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer 8 times. At first they identified the problem as the spring coil front improper adjustment. But the noise persisted. Then , they relocated the spring front coil strut and…
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…
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while his mother owned the vehicle, she received notification of NHTSA 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…
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…
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
Had suspension trouble with your 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 156,000 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Mitsubishi/Outlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.