Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 42 | 23% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 8% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Air bags | 11 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 4% |
| Visibility | 7 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
,am writing regarding a severe safety issue at the [XXX] Mitsubishi location. Over a month ago, I brought my 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor in for an open federal safety recall regarding a fuel leak (NHTSA Recall 10V065000). I
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
My key is stuck in the lock position, won't go all the way back to come out.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WE WERE ON VACATION AND ON SAT MAY 23,2020 WHEN WE GOT BACK TO OUR HOTEL THE KEY WOULDN'T RELEASE TO COME OUT OF IGNITION
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR FROM DRIVE TO NETURAL TO DRIVE WHILE BOTH LIGHTS ARE SHOWING THE CAR IS IN THAT GEAR . WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE WENT BACK INTO D
NHTSA complaint: Power train
FUEL FILLER NECK IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING CODE P0442. CAR VIN WAS NEVER PART OF RECALL. I SHOULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I HAD REPLACED THE WATER PUMPS GETTING READY TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AND WHEN IT WENT OUT THE POWER STEERING MESSED UP I'M ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIMING BELT IT WAS REPLACED AT 112,000 MILES AND IT WAS INSPECTED AT 121,
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER PUMPING FUEL IN - TOOK TO MECHANIC; HE SAID BATTERY FINE FEW DAYS LATER, CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER PUMPING FUEL IN - TOOK TO MECHANIC; HE SAID BATTERY BAD. I REPLACED BATTERY. FEW DAYS LATER,
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE NEUTRAL AND DRIVE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON, THE VEHICLE W
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DEALER-INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING OF THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS MODULE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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 MITSUB
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.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: 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 NATI
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FOOT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RISER MAY DEVELOP A CRACK, RESULTING IN REDUCED STRENGTH OF THE SEAT ANCHORAGE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT COULD BECOME DETACHED, INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE IT WITH A NEW, IMPROVED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS S
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 ENDEAVOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNS
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 63 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 30 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 42 of them (23%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.