2003 Mitsubishi Outlander AWD LS
All photo credits
- Photo: 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE Automatic 2.4 Front by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander LS, front right, 09-24-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mitsubishi Outlander Generation 2003 - 2005 by Charles01, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE Automatic 2.4 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mitsubishi Outlander I (2003-2006) rear by M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander AWD LS is a 140-hp 2.4-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed automatic. It starts at $19,877 MSRP.
It makes 140 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 157 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.
The Outlander measures 179.1 inches long on a 103.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,461 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $19,877 ($35,109 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Gas I4 |
| Displacement | 2.4 L |
| Horsepower | 140 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 157 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | All Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
| 1st Gear | 2.84 |
| 2nd Gear | 1.53 |
| 3rd Gear | 1 |
| 4th Gear | 0.71 |
| Reverse | 2.48 |
| Final Drive | 4.63 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular Unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 15 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Turning Diameter | 37.4 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 10.9 x 1.02 in |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 in |
| Wheels Rear | 16 in |
| Tires Front | P225/60R16 |
| Tires Rear | P225/60R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 179.1 in |
| Width | 68.9 in |
| Height | 63.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.3 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,461 lbs |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander AWD LS with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
Recalls
6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jun 23, 2016 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V458000
Sep 1, 2004 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
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.
NHTSA campaign 04V428000
Apr 26, 2004 · TRAILER HITCHES
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign 04V197000
Feb 11, 2004 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 04V067000
May 20, 2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 03V194000
Jan 30, 2003 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
NHTSA campaign 03V028000
129 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER
Owner Complaints
129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER (12 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Suspension | 28 |
| Exterior Lighting | 19 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.