2008-2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems & Issues

Recall 20V403000 (SR-20-004) covers certain 2014–2019 Outlanders and 2018–2019 Outlander PHEVs. If the owner's manual folding sequence is not followed, the center buckle can contact the right-side buckle when the seat backs are folded. The right-side buckle cover may come off, preventing engagement with the belt tongue and reducing occupant restraint in a crash.

Mitsubishi recalled 2017-2018 Outlander models built with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and/or the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) system because the Hydraulic Unit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been loaded with incorrect software. On an affected Outlander, that faulty ECU software can stop a safety system from intervening when it should — automatic emergency braking, Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), or the Brake Auto Hold (BAH) function. NHTSA lists 58,916 vehicles for the campaign as a whole, which also covers other 2018 Mitsubishi models; that number is campaign-wide and is not a count of Outlanders. Because the brake and stability systems are the ones affected, NHTSA states the defect increases the risk of a crash.

Mitsubishi recalled 2017-2018 Outlander models built with the pedestrian-detecting Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system because of incorrect software in the FCM electronic control unit (ECU). On affected Outlanders, the FCM-ECU can keep applying the brakes for longer than the situation calls for, continuing to brake even after the pedestrian it detected is no longer there. NHTSA lists 9,166 units for the campaign as a whole, which also covers other Mitsubishi models; that figure is campaign-wide and is not a count of Outlanders. Mitsubishi's internal number for the recall is SR-18-007, and the remedy became available October 16, 2018.

NHTSA recall 21V596000 covers 3,735 model-year 2022 Outlander vehicles whose right-front and both second-row passenger automatic locking retractors may deactivate before the webbing is fully retracted, potentially leaving a child restraint unsecured. Recall 22V335000 covers an additional 2,865-vehicle 2022 population with the same ALR behavior. Both are FMVSS 208 noncompliance recalls and use VIN-controlled inspection and seat-belt-assembly replacement as necessary.

NHTSA campaign 20V280 covers 3,241 2019-2020 Outlander and 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles whose right-side second-row seat belt may have been assembled at the supplier with the guide piece (part of the belt anchorage) intended for the left-side belt. Mitsubishi found that a belt with the wrong guide piece could jam in specification tests, reducing its restraint efficiency in a crash. Mitsubishi reports no warning sign for this condition.

Multiple NHTSA complaints describe the Outlander's Forward Collision Mitigation system warning and applying automatic braking with no obstacle present, including a 2022 owner whose car braked on its own in rain with nothing ahead and another whose system braked when a pickup in the adjacent lane was passing. Other owners report the FCM warning flashing or the system switching itself off. Unexpected braking on the road creates rear-end collision risk.

Certain 2016 Outlanders built May 11, 2015–March 14, 2016 have door-latch components made outside dimensional specification. In high temperatures, a latch may not secure the door, which can then open while driving and cause injury. Recall 17V233 / SR-17-002 lists 35,674 vehicles across Outlander and Outlander Sport; eligibility is VIN-specific.

Mitsubishi's bulletin says the hoods of certain 2022 Outlanders flutter and bounce while driving, caused by insufficient hood reinforcement. A non-reinforced hood shows no bolt heads on its underside. Applies to: 2022 Outlander produced February 8, 2021 to November 12, 2021, within the bulletin's VIN ranges.

The steel cylinder of each tailgate gas spring is protected only by a heat-shrink resin sleeve. Salt water works its way under the spring's dust cap, sits against the bare cylinder wall and corrodes it. Because the cylinder holds high-pressure gas, a corroded wall can either lose pressure — so the liftgate no longer holds itself up and falls on whoever is loading the cargo area — or rupture outright. Mitsubishi first recalled 121,529 vehicles sold or registered in 27 salt-belt states plus DC in 2025 (25V507 / SR-25-002), then in April 2026 extended the recall to the rest of the US with a second campaign (26V252 / SR-26-001) covering another 108,046 vehicles after finding corrosion outside the salt belt. The recalls cover 2014-2020 Outlanders and 2018-2022 Outlander PHEVs.

The panoramic/power sunroof tray is not sealed — it is designed to catch water and route it out through four drain hoses, two down the A-pillars and two down the rear quarter panels. The front hoses exit behind the front inner fender liners, where road spray packs them with grit, and the tray corners collect pollen and tree debris. Once a hose blocks, the tray overflows at the corner and the water goes where it wants: down the A-pillar trim onto the front carpet, out through the headliner leaving brown stains, or into the B-pillar. Owners frequently discover it after a touch-free car wash or the first heavy rain. Because the water lands on floor-mounted electrical connectors and modules, a neglected drain turns into a much larger electrical bill.

Owners report the windshield cracking within weeks or months of ownership; one owner reports repeated cracks in the same central spot with no chip or stone impact. Applies to: Fourth-generation Outlander (2022 on); one owner report is for a 2022 Outlander and the other is a review listed on the 2022-2025 Outlander pages.

If your 2008-2011 Outlander has a 4B1-series engine, it is part of Mitsubishi recall 14V562000. On these engines a single belt-and-pulley arrangement turns the alternator, the cooling fan and — on vehicles so equipped — the power steering pump. Mitsubishi found the pulleys can wear unusually, letting the belt detach. Once the belt is gone the alternator no longer charges the battery, the battery drains, and the engine can stall, which is the crash risk NHTSA cites. The recall population of 165,923 vehicles is the total for the entire campaign across all the Mitsubishi models it names, not an Outlander-specific count; the 2011 Outlander Sport was covered as well.

The Outlander 3.0L V6 drives its camshafts with a timing belt, not a timing chain: Mitsubishi's 2009-2012 Outlander 3.0L service-manual special-tool list includes a tool for rotating the crankshaft when installing the timing belt. Because the belt is a replacement item, its service history matters when buying or keeping a V6 Outlander. Applies to: 2009-2012 Outlander with the 3.0L V6. Four-cylinder models do not have this engine.

On 2008-2012 Outlanders fitted with the 4B12 2.4L four-cylinder engine, the flange of the automatic drive belt tensioner may crack. A cracked flange lets the accessory drive belt detach from the engine. For the driver, the sequence is what matters: with the belt off, the battery begins to discharge and the engine eventually stalls, which NHTSA identifies as an increased risk of a crash — losing the engine on a highway ramp or in an intersection is the scenario behind the high severity rating. Coverage depends on the engine, not just the year, so V6 Outlanders and other engine variants are outside this campaign. Mitsubishi's filing counts 141,053 vehicles, but that figure is campaign-wide across every model in the recall, not an Outlander-only number.

Mitsubishi TSB-22-13-001 covers 2022 Outlander vehicles built before December 16, 2021. The check-engine light or an Engine Malfunction / Power Reduced Service Now warning may appear while idling or driving, with P0401, P0404 or other codes, because the engine ECU requires countermeasure software. The bulletin directs technicians to save and erase codes, diagnose hard codes that will not clear, perform the reflash first for the applicable population and diagnose further only if codes persist.

Mitsubishi recalled certain 2016 Outlander vehicles because the rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts may have been peeled off during assembly. With that protection gone, water that gets past the rear brake caliper boot can reach the parking brake operating shafts and corrode them. A corroded shaft can bind, leaving the parking brake unable to engage or release fully. NHTSA lists 21,758 vehicles for the campaign as a whole, which also covers the Outlander Sport; the figure is campaign-wide and is not a count of Outlanders. Mitsubishi's internal number for the recall is SR-20-005, and owner notification letters went out May 4, 2021.

Mitsubishi recalled 2014-2016 Outlander models because water can get into the rear brake calipers. Once inside, the parking brake actuator shaft corrodes and can bind. On an Outlander with a bound actuator shaft, the parking brake may not engage or release fully — so a vehicle parked on a slope can roll away unexpectedly, which is why NHTSA treats this as a crash risk. The campaign (NHTSA ID 18V070000, Mitsubishi's own number SR-18-002) covers 170,354 vehicles in total across every model and year included in the recall.

The PHEV blends friction braking with motor regeneration through the RBS control unit, which cross-checks wheel speed sensors, the brake stroke sensor, the motor controllers and the traction battery's ability to accept regenerated charge. In owner reports the fault most often appears during heavy regeneration and has traced to the traction battery (high cell-voltage codes such as P1A31, or a water-damaged pack replaced by the dealer); a failing wheel speed sensor or dragging caliper is also suggested. Owners on the PHEV forum describe the RBS warning appearing on a long descent, followed immediately by 'safe mode' with no acceleration available, sometimes accompanied by an 'EV system service required' message after running on the engine. The car still stops (friction brakes remain), but the sudden loss of drive on a grade or in traffic is the safety concern.

When braking or turning, noise may be heard from the front brake caliper. Mitsubishi says the front brake pad retainers have low rigidity and move with the pads, so a retainer can deform and touch the brake disc, and a scratched rotor may need resurfacing or replacement. Applies to: 2022-2024 Outlander and 2023-2024 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid.

On 2018 Outlander PHEVs built September 14, 2017 through August 7, 2018, inappropriate programming in the sub-Battery Management Unit lets electrical noise from the drive selector, brake application or air-conditioner operation be misread as a high-voltage isolation (leak) fault. The car then lights Engine Malfunction, EV System Service Required and RBS warnings together, stores P0AA7, P0AA8 and/or P0AA9 (Leak Sensor Detection Circuit), cuts power and restricts speed to 37 mph (60 km/h). Mitsubishi issued Customer Satisfaction Campaign SC-18-001 in October 2018 rather than a safety recall, so it does not appear in a NHTSA VIN recall search.

A relay supplier used an improper maintenance procedure on its welding machine, so internal welds inside several relays used in the Outlander's engine-bay relay box were made incorrectly and can lose proper electrical conduction. Depending on which relay is affected, the result differs: failure of the engine control unit relay kills the engine while driving and the vehicle cannot be restarted; failure of the relay feeding the MIVEC variable valve lift assembly triggers a check engine light and reduced power; failure of the radiator fan relay stops the cooling fan and lets the engine overheat. Because it is a manufacturing defect in a specific production batch rather than a wear item, failures show up suddenly and at low mileage.

Mitsubishi tells dealers it is aware of discharged 12V auxiliary batteries on the 2023-2024 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, and that a completely discharged 12V battery can cause other issues that may leave the vehicle unable to go into Ready mode. Applies to: 2023-2024 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid; the charging-logic update is called out for vehicles built before February 8, 2024. The notice does not cover gasoline 2.5L Outlanders.

Because of improper software programming, the Alliance In-Vehicle Infotainment (A-IVI) unit may freeze or display a black screen. If that happens while backing up, the rearview camera image can be lost, which fails Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 and increases the risk of a crash or injury to a person behind the vehicle. Applies to: 2022-2024 Outlander (produced February 8, 2021 to December 20, 2024) and 2023-2025 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (produced September 27, 2022 to April 21, 2025) with the 8-inch or 9-inch A-IVI unit. The campaign bulletin covers all 2022-2024 Outlanders, including those in the earlier recall 23V345 (2022-2023 Outlander and 2023 Outlander PHEV). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

The PHEV isolates its CHAdeMO fast-charge port from the traction pack with quick-charge contactors. An abnormal-current event during a DC fast charge session — a station that drops or spikes current, or a handshake that aborts mid-session — can weld the negative quick-charge contactor closed. Once welded, the EV-ECU can no longer prove the fast-charge circuit is isolated, so it sets P101C and throws 'EV system service required'; owners on the PHEV forum report the fault appearing immediately after a fast charge, sometimes with the charging station itself reporting 'failure to communicate with vehicle'. AC (Type 1/Type 2) charging often still works, which is what makes people mis-blame the charge point rather than the car.

Mitsubishi's bulletin describes a clicking noise, along with whining or humming, heard in the cabin and directly related to vehicle speed: the clicking speeds up as the vehicle speeds up, engine speed has no effect, and it typically cannot be heard above about 40 mph. The repair replaces CVT pulley shaft bearings. Applies to: 2008-2010 Outlander with the CVT, built before October 1, 2010 (the bulletin also covers some Lancer, Lancer Sportback and 2011 Outlander Sport models built before that date).

Mitsubishi's bulletin says CVT-8 transmissions may shudder or surge, possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit. With continued driving the CVT belt may slip repeatedly when accelerating and abrasion powder may enter the hydraulic circuit, turning on a warning light with P0776, P0730, P0741, P084A, P0969 or P2719; owners may describe it as engine flare, lack of acceleration or car shake. Applies to: 2022-2024 Outlander with the 2.5L engine and 2016-2020 Outlander with the 2.4L engine, with F1CJC/W1CJC (CVT-8) transmissions. It excludes every Outlander Plug-in Hybrid.

On 2016 Outlanders with the 2.4L 4J12 and the Jatco CVT-8 (F1CJC/W1CJC), built May 11, 2015 to April 26, 2016, the CVT control unit software can misread a momentary loss of the inhibitor (range) switch signal. The result is a delay or hesitation when accelerating from a standstill, or when getting back on the throttle after cruising or coasting. NHTSA campaign 16V563 also covers 2015-2016 Outlander Sport and 2016 Lancer. The later shudder/surge TSB (TSB-20-23-001) requires this recall to be completed first.

On 2016–2018 Outlanders with the 2.4-litre four-cylinder and the CVT8 transmission (F1CJC/W1CJC), engine coolant runs through water hoses to the CVT fluid cooler. The hose connections at that cooler can leak coolant. In February 2018 Mitsubishi asked dealers to collect the cooler, hose and clamp sets so it could investigate the leak (TIN-18-23-001). The July 2018 notice TIN-18-23-003 said enough parts had been collected. Its photos show coolant residue on the Outlander's CVT8 cooler. Mitsubishi later issued TSB-20-14-002 (August 2020), which covers 2016–2020 Outlanders and explains the cause. Heat breaks down the CVT water hose where the clamp presses on it. Over time the hose's seal gets weaker than the coolant pressure, and coolant leaks out.

Long exposure to snowmelt water and anti-freezing agents can corrode the front cross member, because its rust protection is insufficient. If significant corrosion builds up over time, a front lower control arm could detach, causing loss of vehicle control and a potential crash. Applies to: 2008-2013 Outlander with the four-cylinder engine, produced October 23, 2007 to March 28, 2013, and currently or ever registered in 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 or Washington D.C. V6 Outlanders of 2007-2013 were covered instead by the earlier cross member recall 16V458 (SR-16-003). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

On 2022-2024 Outlanders, the front strut bearing support can be deformed by the loaded coil spring, causing a creaking or popping noise from the front strut when the steering wheel is turned. Mitsubishi bulletin TSB-23-33-002REV3 covers 2022-2024 Outlanders up to VIN JA4J3WA83RZ090153 (October 21, 2024). The bulletin does not list the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid.

NHTSA recall 22V027000 and Mitsubishi campaign SR-22-001 cover certain 2022 Outlander vehicles. The commutator and wires inside the fuel pump may have been fused incorrectly, which can cause the pump to fail; fuel-pump failure can stall the engine and increase crash risk. NHTSA lists 16,616 potentially affected vehicles. This is a VIN-controlled safety recall, not a diagnosis that every 2022 Outlander fuel pump is defective.

MMNA Tech Talk 266 (February 2022) reports some US-market PHEVs with reduced or absent cabin heat and material blocking an inline filter. The bulletin lists no model years, and it does not identify the material as crystallized coolant, prescribe a failure mileage, or establish valve/pump failure from the symptom.

Mitsubishi's May 2023 TIN-22-31-001REV4 investigates incorrect wheel balance found during pre-delivery inspection or shortly after delivery on 2022–2023 Outlanders and 2023 Outlander PHEVs. Dealers were asked to document balancing results, wheel condition, tire details and when vibration occurred. This investigation does not establish that every vibration has the same cause.

Water containing anti-icing agents may splash onto the exhaust manifold heat protector and corrode it, which can create a rattling noise. Applies to: third-generation Outlander (model code GF0W, 2014-2020 in the US), including the 2018 Outlander PHEV.