2004 Mitsubishi Outlander — 2.4L

In the 2004 model year the Outlander recorded just 52 consumer complaints, 4 recalls, and 56 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), a sharp drop from the 129 complaints and 6 recalls seen in 2003 and the lowest complaint count until a modest rise in 2005 (18 complaints, 1 recall). Across the generation, complaints and recalls fluctuate dramatically, peaking again in 2007‑2009 and reaching a high of 233 complaints in 2015, while TSB activity generally climbs upward through the mid‑2010s before tapering off after 2020. The 2004 figures sit at the early trough of this volatility curve, suggesting the model benefited from relatively few reported issues and limited recall activity at that point. However, the top complaint areas—suspension, exterior lighting, airbags, and structure—indicate specific components that owners reported problems with, though the data does not specify root causes. With complaint and recall numbers well below the generation’s later spikes, 2004 is comparatively a lower‑risk year to purchase, provided the identified suspension and lighting items have been addressed in any subsequent service history.