Mitsubishi Outlander Common Problems and Solutions
Airbag Service Light Is On
Problem:
The airbag sensor light remains on.
Solution:
This needs to be addressed because an airbag fault often results in the safety system not working correctly in the case of a collision. There are a lot of reasons for the airbag warning light to be on, so you’ll have to do some testing. The first step is to check the passenger seat occupancy sensor because faulty ones are common and can be causing the airbag light issue. If it’s faulty, then you can order a replacement from us. If the sensor is fine, then you may have a faulty airbag or software issues that will need a specialist to solve.
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Whistling/Rattling From Engine
Problem:
There is a whistling or rattling sound coming from the engine while driving.
Solution:
In most cases, this will be the result of faulty pulley bearings in the gearbox. If you order replacements from our online store, then we will deliver them to you quickly so that you can replace them. However, you should also check the regulator valve, which may also be faulty and will need to be replaced.
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Seat Belt Malfunctioning
Problem:
The seatbelts aren’t performing as they should. Sometimes they won’t retract; on others, they won’t tighten. In some cases, you will find that they even get stuck, and you can’t unlock them.
Solution:
You’re going to need to replace the entire seat belt system. That includes the belt itself, the locks, and the pretensions. We have the entire seatbelt unit in stock for every seat in the Outlander, so you can get your replacements delivered straight to you.
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Loss of power/smoke from exhaust
Problem:
Common symptoms of turbo hose failure are: loss of power, smoke from the exhaust and loud whistling noise from top of engine. This happens as the hose was not tightened enough at the factory.
Solution:
You will need to properly tighten the turbo hose to sort the problem.
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Throttle body blocked
Problem:
The throttle body can get blocked on the first generation Outlander. If this part gets blocked you will notice either a lack of power, poor acceleration and/or bad engine idling.
Solution:
You will need to remove the throttle body and clear out the gunk. You will need to use carb cleaner or something similar. Once cleaned and refitted, the problem should be resolved. Watch the video below to see how to do this:
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DPF warning light
Problem:
The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) can get blocked up when you use the vehicle for short journeys around town etc. If you use the vehicle only for short journeys the DPF does not get hot enough and gets blocked up with particles. The DPF warning light will appear on the dashboard.
Solution:
You will need to take the vehicle onto an open road and drive at above 2500rpm for about 10-20 minutes to allow the DPF to get hot enough and burn off the unwanted particles. This should turn off the warning light on the dashboard and clear the DPF at the same time.
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Engine management warning light
Problem:
One of the front oxygen sensors is known to fail on this vehicle. The Outlander has a pair of oxygen sensors on the front of the engine and a pair on the rear. It will most likely be one of the front ones that fail. If this part has failed, the engine management warning light will appear on the dashboard and you may also be noticing a higher than usual fuel consumption.
Solution:
Run a diagnostic check so you can correctly identify which oxygen sensor is faulty. Once you have identified the faulty one, you will need to fit a replacement oxygen sensor to fix the problem. We can help you find a cheap replacement oxygen sensor.
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Bumpy Driving
Problem:
The car drives roughly over every bump in the road. This is often accompanied by a loud noise when driving in reverse and an unusual sound coming from the back of the car when driving forward.
Solution:
The 2004 Outlander has a weak suspension system compared to other generations. As a result, drivers that get to around 65,000 miles will find that they need to browse our parts list and order a replacement rear suspension system.
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Detached Sunroof
Problem:
The sunroof glass has become completely detached from the sunroof assembly.
Solution:
This has happened often enough for Mitsubishi to issue a recall on 2006-2012 models of the Outlander. To repair the problem, you will need to replace the sunroof glass, which you can find on our parts list. You will also need to ensure that you have a tough bonding material to ensure that the sunroof glass is safe and remains in place.
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Sagging Car
Problem:
The car is sagging when parked and when driving. You could also see excessive tyre wear and hear an unusual sound coming from the front of the car.
Solution:
Your coil springs have become worn out, degraded, or damaged. Find a replacement coil spring from our online store and install it. Although this can be a tricky job to do yourself, it’s not as hard as you might think, and there are plenty of guides available online.
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Tyre Warning Light
Problem:
Your tyre warning light is illuminated, and you don’t know why.
Solution:
This will be down to a broken valve stem on the tyre pressure sensors, a common issue with the 2007 Outlander. The good news is that we always have replacement sensors available to buy, and they are easy to replace yourself.
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Noise From Aircon
Problem:
The aircon unit is making a lot more noise than it should.
Solution:
This will be a problem with your AC pump, which will usually have reached its end of life at around 75,000 miles. Find a new AC pump on our parts list and replace the worn one, and the sound will disappear.
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Weak Brakes
Problem:
You need to apply more and more pressure to get the brakes to engage.
Solution:
One of the most consistent issues for owners of a 2018 Outlander is premature brake wear. It usually starts happening at roughly 23,000 miles and is simply a matter of replacing the brake pads. In some cases, you may also have to order replacement brake discs from our store as well.
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