2003 Mitsubishi Outlander Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 12%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander, 12% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“11/08/07 my husband was driving our family to my sons football practice when he noticed that the entire steering wheel was shifting left to right in the dash board. 11/09/07 my husband looked at the steering wheel and it was literally flopping around in the dash board, when he removed the dash the steering column fell in the driver's seat. The entire steering column broke free from were it is bolted to the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10208572, filed 2007-11, 113,000 miles“Drifts to right-been back 4 times for this- now last time they say nothing is wrong and it no longer drifts-as I drove out of dealer I let go of wheel and off it goes to the right...again..”
NHTSA complaint #10058876, filed 2004-02, 1 miles“Vehicle in for second repair of steering rack. First time the rack was replaced. Requested replacement again. Very rare failure, yet twice within 30 k miles? There is a variable pulsing and unequal pressure within the steering rack hydraulics. First instance 16000, second 31k miles. Additionally failed tie rod in this second instance. Being repaired at university mit. In bloomington, indiana, as in the first instance. Called mit. Cust svc and requested new rack and repair of tie rod as well as alignment. …”
NHTSA complaint #10095972, filed 2004-10, 32,000 miles“Vehicle pulls to the right. The dealer says numerous complaints of this vehicle doing same and the repairs the factory suggested to the dealer are not working.”
NHTSA complaint #10013549, filed 2003-03, 3,500 miles“Vehicle pulls to the right from the day I received it, returned for service several times, still pulls to the right. Front tires are worn after 29,000 miles. Last visit tires were rotated and now the vehicle pulls very hard to the left. Now I am bringing it back to rotate the tires back so now it will continue to pull to the right again I'm sure. I don't feel safe driving this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10064077, filed 2004-03Related service bulletins
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10026795Oct 1, 2008Mitsubishi: a tie rod free play check has been added to the applicable service manuals.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 7% |
| 2024 | 2 | 8% |
| 2023 | 5 | 10% |
| 2022 | 9 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 5 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 7% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 11 | 9% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 14 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
28 complaintsExterior lighting
19 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology