Mitsubishi Outlander Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Recent Safety Incidents — Last 5 Model Years
Own a Mitsubishi Outlander? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mitsubishi Outlander — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026Best | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2025 | Excellent | — | 9 | 5 | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2024 | Good | — | 10 | 2 | 4 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2023 | Good | 1 | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2022Worst | Avoid | 3 | 140 | 3 | 1 | — | Structure | Full report → |
| 2021 | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2020 | Good | — | 24 | 8 | 11 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2019 | Good | 2 | 17 | 5 | 4 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2018 | Caution | 4 | 37 | 3 | 4 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2017 | Caution | 4 | 51 | 14 | 8 | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2016 | Avoid | 3 | 100 | 11 | 7 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2015 | Caution | 2 | 44 | 5 | 2 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2014 | Good | 1 | 27 | 5 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2013 | Good | 2 | 12 | 2 | 15 | — | Visibility/Wiper | Full report → |
| 2012 | Good | 3 | 19 | — | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2011 | Caution | 5 | 45 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2010 | Caution | 7 | 40 | 6 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2009 | Caution | 9 | 27 | 2 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2008 | Caution | 9 | 33 | — | — | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2007 | Avoid | 5 | 78 | 5 | 3 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2006 | Good | — | 15 | 2 | 1 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2005 | Good | — | 13 | 5 | 4 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2004 | Caution | 2 | 40 | 7 | 4 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2003 | Avoid | 5 | 87 | 8 | 9 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
24 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Mitsubishi Outlander Problems
Based on 886 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Recent Safety Recalls — Mitsubishi Outlander (2022–2026)
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2022 Outlander vehicles. The commutator and wires inside the fuel pump may be fused incorrectly, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 18, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-001.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2022 Outlander vehicles. The front and second-row passenger seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the right front seat belt assembly, and the right and left second-row seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 28, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-21-007.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling one 2022 Outlander vehicle. A software programming error with a welding robot may have caused the vehicle's center pillar to be welded incorrectly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and 216, "Roof Crush Resistance."
Remedy: MMNA will repurchase and replace the affected vehicle, free of charge. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-21-009.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2022 Outlander vehicles. The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) in the right front, second-row right, and second-row left seat belt assemblies may deactivate before the seat belts are fully retracted, which can result in an unsecured child restraint system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-88-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-002.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Outlander and 2023-2025 Outlander PHEV vehicles. Due to a software error in the in-vehicle infotainment system (A-IVI), the rearview camera image may freeze, or not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Dealers will update the A-IVI software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2025. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-25-001. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recall number 23V345. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V345 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Outlander and 2023 Outlander PHEV vehicles. Due to a software error in the in-vehicle infotainment system (A-IVI), the backup camera rearview image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Dealers will update the A-IVI software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2023. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-23-001. This recall was replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V369.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2022 Outlander vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 1, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-88-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-003. This recall was replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V369.
Showing 7 recalls from 2022–2026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.
Recent Owner Complaints
Direct reports filed with NHTSA by Mitsubishi Outlander owners — 2022–2026 model years.
Battery issues, car uses excessive power causing battery to fail. This has caused car to stop working completely while driving. I’ve seen several forums with the same complaints. This stalling out and loss of all electronics while driving is extremely dangerous. This has occurred multiple times since I’ve owned this vehicle.
The contact owned a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle wobbled and failed to respond. The contact stated that upon forcefully depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle responded as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure mostly occurred while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the braking system needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under the two-year warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond intermittently while attempting to drive from a complete stop on the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The electrical system in my 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander has repeatedly malfunctioned since September 2023. The primary failure involves the dashboard completely shutting down while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in the loss of critical driving information such as speed and system warnings. The issue is intermittent but ongoing and may be available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a serious safety risk because I am unable to see essential driving information while operating the vehicle, placing both myself and my family at risk. The vehicle has been taken to authorized Mitsubishi dealerships multiple times for these issues. Repairs have been performed during these visits; however, none have permanently resolved the problem. The issue temporarily stops after repairs but eventually returns and continues to recur. The problem has been reproduced multiple times. The vehicle has been inspected by authorized Mitsubishi service departments on multiple occasions, but the underlying issue has not been properly diagnosed or permanently repaired. Prior to failure, there have been repeated battery-related issues and sensor malfunctions. The vehicle has required at least three battery replacements since purchase. These symptoms often occur before the dashboard shuts down. In addition to the electrical issue, the vehicle has also experienced fuel pump concerns, which have persisted despite repair attempts. This ongoing and recurring defect makes the vehicle unsafe to operate and remains unresolved.
David the Mitsubishi technician drove with me today and witnessed the issues with the adaptive cruise control system. 1. Slow to gain speed on resume in any situation. 2. Car slamming on brakes when sensing a car at a red light, when a car leaves the lane that I am in and there is a stopped car at a red light or not stopping at all. 3. When making a turn into a left or right lane, car will not sense the other car or it will slam the brakes unsafely
The contact owns a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the hood fluttered abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, and the dealer test-drove the vehicle and recorded a video of the failure for the manufacturer. The contact was informed that there was no repair available at that time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the hood was reinforced. The failure mileage was approximately 39,065.
1. Driver side seat belt is not retracting as it should. 2. Causing a slower exit when getting out of the vehicle. 3. A compliant has been made to Glassman Southfield MI. Mitsubishi service department not only for the driver side seat belt but the passenger seat belt as well. 4. Just by Glassman Southfield MI. Mitsubishi service department. 5. No
The rear braking system failed due to a sticking/seizing brake caliper. An independent inspection confirmed a severe thickness discrepancy: the outer pad was worn down to 3mm, while the inner pad remained at 7mm. This occurred at only 7,343 miles. I have the physical brake pads provided by the dealer; however, I have photographic proof that the dealer provided fraudulent, evenly worn pads upon vehicle pickup to tamper with evidence. Both the fraudulent pads and the original photos of the defective pads are available for inspection. The sticking caliper causes uneven braking force, increased stopping distances, and premature brake failure. This is a severe safety risk that could lead to a loss of vehicle control or a collision, especially under emergency braking conditions. Furthermore, the dealership's attempt to conceal this defect by swapping parts prevents proper safety documentation and potential recall actions. An independent service center (certified technician) confirmed the 3mm/7mm wear delta on March 19, 2026. The dealer (Northstar Mitsubishi) also initially confirmed the defect and processed it as a $0.00 warranty repair (Invoice #6048308) before rescinding the coverage and demanding payment. The vehicle was inspected by the authorized dealer (Northstar Mitsubishi) and an independent repair facility. I am currently requesting a formal inspection by Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) corporate. There were no dashboard warning lamps. The primary symptom was an excessive amount of brake dust accumulating on the rear wheels compared to the front, and a noticeable physical thickness difference between the inner and outer brake pads. These symptoms were first observed around 7,000 miles during a routine inspection. The defect was confirmed by an independent technician's measurement of 3mm (outer) vs 7mm (inner).
The hood bounces and flutters. It is especially bad driving on the interstate. It is so much that I am scared to drive it.
I am reporting a safety defect involving my 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (VIN [XXX] ). On five separate occasions between December 2025 and February 2026, my vehicle ran completely out of fuel despite the dashboard displaying between 18 and 48 miles of remaining driving range. Four of these events occurred on active highways, resulting in sudden loss of engine power and creating immediate collision risk. The dealership diagnosed and replaced the fuel tank gauge unit, fuel level sensor, and sub sensor under warranty. Service documentation references Technical Information Notice TIN #XXX, indicating this is a known issue. This defect caused unexpected highway shutdowns and serious safety exposure. I am concerned other drivers may experience similar failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The seatbelt retraction system failed to retract fast enough, which caused the seatbelt to become jammed in the passenger door. This resulted in damage to the passenger front and back door and opening of the passenger door. Yes, the vehicle and the affected components (seatbelt assembly and passenger door) are available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The slow seatbelt retraction created a door jam condition, which could have prevented or delayed exit from the vehicle in an emergency situation. This posed a safety risk to the passenger, as the door could not open or close properly. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The issue has been observed by Glassman of Southfield Michigan the service men was not interested at all. In fact when I arrived to have the vehicle inspected the driver seatbelt did not retract back at all and the service guy stated, I should pay attention when unfasten my seatbelt. The guy at the collision shop stated that the seatbelt on the passenger side was not retracting back as it should. I have had two incidents with the passenger seatbelt becoming jammed in the door since I leased the vehicle in August of 2025. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. Just the service men at Glassman and Glassmen collision shop. 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
Sometimes when I am backing up, the rear backup camera will go dark, switch to something random (such as music screen) or freeze (I.e. it shows a clear path behind me while backing up but the screen is just frozen). This is a significant safety issue because if someone is relying on a backup camera to maneuver, and a kid walks behind the car, the driver would not notice the kid if the screen froze. If the backup camera fails, a driver is blind and must either continue blind (as mirrors may not be adjusted for backing up) or must switch gears to go forward (which could also cause an accident since there is a delay in doing this and a car may be exposed on the street).
If headlights are in auto position or were on prior to car starting (I.e. they were left in on position last time car was on), the headlights sometimes do not turn on even though the headlight icon is illuminated. Basically, headlights sometimes say they are on even though they are not.
262 total complaints retrieved from NHTSA for 2022–2026. For older model years, see individual year pages.
Outlander Years to Avoid
Best Outlander Years to Buy
Mitsubishi Outlander Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability
What year Outlander has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 140 complaints and 3 safety recalls. See the full 2022 report for specific defects.
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
The Mitsubishi Outlander has accumulated 886 owner-filed complaints and 67 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2026 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Outlander.
What are the most common Outlander problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Power Train (91 reports), Suspension (84 reports), Structure (83 reports), Unknown Or Other (72 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Outlander has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Mitsubishi Outlander VIN
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