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2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “AC condensate drain leak flooding driver floor.” Mitsubishi publishes short, conservative intervals: oil every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe, and — unlike many rivals — an explicit CVT fluid replacement schedule rather than a 'lifetime fill' claim. Read the severe-service column honestly: stop-and-go city trips, short hops, and hot climates all qualify, and they describe how most Mirages actually live. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays intact only with documented on-schedule service.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor.

Reported to NHTSA

AC condensate drain leak flooding driver floor

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2018-08

“WATER LEAKING INTO DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD DUE TO FAULTY A/C CONDENSATION SEAL AT FIREWALL ON 2005 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10361892
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT WATER HAD LEAKED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE AIR CONDITIONER LINE WAS FLUSHED ON EVERY VISIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10171076
“AIR CONDITIONING WATER DRAINS INTO THE VEHICLE CAUSING CLOGGING AND FLOODING OF THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR THE MILEAGE IS ONLY115K. THIS CAUSES BAD ODOR,GROWTH OF MICROORGANISMS AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BECOMES SLIPPERY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10462797

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Body component fracture: handles, latches, subframe

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2017-11

“AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND AND AS I SPED UP THE VEHICLE KEPT FISH TAILING IT FELT LIKE IT WAS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE . SO I WENT STRAIGHT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME THE RUST OF THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE CAR AND IT WAS DETACHED AND BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11042714
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED FROM ALL FOUR DOORS, AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE DOOR HANDLES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10454150
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW DROPPED AND SHATTERED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOOR KNOB WAS FRACTURED IN HALF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10448142

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake caliper detachment and failure to stop

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2015-07

“THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEPLOYED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE VEHICLE CALIPER WAS DETACHED UNDER THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430799
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE ROTOR WAS CORRODED AND HAD BECOME FRACTURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10554405
“WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EXTEND TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10277144

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure or unexpected power loss

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2005-11 → 2020-02

“I WAS USING AN EXIT TO MERGE INTO THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I MERGED, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE WORKING BUT NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308058
“WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOCKED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10242245
“ON 12 OCT 07, I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START, APPARENTLY THE WELD ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER DID NOT HOLD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10206007

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical fire from HVAC blower motor connector

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2013-09 → 2014-01

“I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY, I SMELLED WHAT SEEMS TO BE BURNING PLASTIC, I SAW SMOKE FROM UNDER MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT, SUDDENLY MY A/C STOP WORKING. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICE THAT THE ELECTRICAL PLUG TO THE FAN MOTOR LOOKED CHARRED/BURNT. I REMOVED IT FOR SAFETY REASONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10558575
“I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK WHEN I SMELLED ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING THROUGH OUT THE CAR. IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. THE CONNECTOR TO THE A/C & HEATER MOTOR WAS CHARRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10543965

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal collision

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2010-06

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED TO HIS VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10215213
“THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF MY VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10214877
“MY 17 YEAR OLD SON'S SEATBELT FAILED TO WORK, CAUSING HIM TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER HE HIT THE WINDSHIELD, HIS AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATE THROWING HIM UP AND BACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10334169

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe. Mirage's 1.2L three-cylinder holds barely over 3 quarts — small sumps punish stretched intervals. 0W-20 on most recent models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

CVT Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Mitsubishi schedules CVT fluid replacement — commonly every 60,000 miles normal / 30,000 severe (check your year's table). Use only the specified CVT fluid (J4/CVTF-J4 family); generic ATF destroys the belt-and-pulley unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Light Mirages are easy on tires but the economy-focused OEM rubber wears fast when neglected.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors/drums, and lines at each service — Mirage G4 retains rear drums, which need periodic adjustment checks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 2-3 years per the schedule. Cheap job, big ABS-unit insurance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs commonly every 60,000 miles on the Mirage's 3A92 and Lancer's 4B11 — verify your year's table, as some engines list up to 105,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Mitsubishi's schedule replaces the engine air filter every 15,000 miles — shorter than most brands, and a 5-minute DIY on the Mirage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on cracking. The Mirage's single serpentine belt also drives the A/C — a failure strands the car's accessories at once.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace every 15,000 miles, behind the glovebox. Often skipped at quick-lube visits — worth checking if airflow feels weak.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

First change around 60,000 miles, then roughly every 30,000-45,000 per the schedule. Mitsubishi long-life coolant or equivalent OAT for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Small-battery economy cars have little reserve — the first cold snap finds a weak one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

23 crashes 1990–2024

How the 23 occupant deaths break down

20

driver deaths

3

passenger deaths

23

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor reflects Mitsubishi's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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