YearToAvoid

2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor ranks worst of the 7 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 40 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and top problem areas in Structure & Body, Brakes, and Electrical System. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Endeavor years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 7 Endeavor years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
40
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2008
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17.5
15.5 city / 20.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body11 (28%)
  2. Brakes8 (20%)
  3. Electrical System8 (20%)
  4. Other6 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain6 (15%)
  6. Engine5 (13%)
  7. Airbags4 (10%)
  8. Fuel System2 (5%)
  9. Seat Belts2 (5%)
  10. Steering1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report the transmission surging or thumping and leaking fluid shortly after purchase.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during moderate-speed collisions despite visible front-end damage.
  • Owners describe the vehicle rolling backward after being shifted into park and the ignition removed.
  • A seat belt failure was reported during a highway collision after braking to avoid another vehicle.
  • Owners describe an electrical burning smell from under the glove compartment linked to a charred A/C and heater motor connector.
  • Owners report water leaking into the cabin under the driver-side carpet after driving in rain or snow.
2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2005Jan 2008Feb 2010Jul 2011Jun 2012Jan 2014Aug 2015Feb 2020
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2005 to Aug 2026; peak Jan 2008 (2).

2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V065000Feb 25, 2010Fuel System108,147 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap

    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, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and washington d.c. Cold states include north dakota, south dakota, nebraska, kansas, oklahoma, colorado, wyoming, montana, idaho, washington, oregon, and utah. Adjoining states include arkansas, tennessee, and north carolina. In severe corrosive environments where road salts are frequently used in winter vehicles may be exposed to road debris (mud) mixed with road salt. This material can become trapped between a reinforcing bracket and the fuel filler pipe, potentially causing corrosion. Over time, corrosion could create a leak in the fuel filler pipe that could result in a fuel leakage when fueling the vehicle.

    Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 08V454000Sep 9, 2008Fuel System45,988 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

    Mitsubishi is recalling 45,988 my 2005-2007 endeavor, galant, eclipse coupe, and my 2007 eclipse spyder vehicles. The bracket that is the attachment point for the left rear fuel tank mounting strap may have been improperly formed during a metal stamping process. The process may have caused the metal to have a split in the area where the bolt that holds one of the two fuel tank straps to the underside of the vehicle is located. In the event the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is subject to a severe collision, the bracket may break and allow the fuel tank to drop down, possibly causing a fuel leak.

    Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the left rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket has splitting beyond a specific limit. Vehicles with moderate to severe splitting will be repaired using a reinforcement cap, a special structural adhesive, and a rivet to reinforce the fuel tank mounting bracket. The recall began on september 20, 2008. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

  3. NHTSA 08V139000Mar 26, 2008Electrical System116,600 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    Mitsubishi is recalling 120,000 my 2004-2006 endeavor passenger vehicles. During vehicle use, the ignition key interlock cable (which is a component of the interlock system) may allow the interlocking cam to fall forward and allow the ignition key to be removed from the ignition switch when the gearshift mechanism is not in the park position.

    Risk: If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct these vehicles for the reported condition. The recall will begin on july 7, 2008. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.

See all 6 recalls for the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor →

2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15.5 MPG
Highway
20.5 MPG
Combined
17.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,575
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Endeavor years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102011
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid10040617.5
2006Caution6720517.5
2007Caution5021517.5

All Mitsubishi Endeavor years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2005 Endeavor is the highest-risk year in the lineup, with a complaint index of 100 (the highest among the 7 model years with data) and 6 recall campaigns.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor?
NHTSA data shows Structure & Body complaints make up 28% of reports, followed by Brakes and Electrical System, each at 20%, and Transmission & Powertrain at 15%.
Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Endeavor, covering the fuel system, electrical ignition interlock, and brake components including calipers, master cylinder, and parking brake cable.
How does the 2005 Endeavor compare to other model years?
The 2005 model ranks worst of 7 years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, compared to 67 for 2006, 50 for 2007, and as low as 0 for 2009.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor?
EPA rates the 2005 Endeavor at 17.5 mpg combined (15.5 city / 20.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,575.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.