2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Owner Complaints

I was driving home from work and I came upon a red light as I was slowing down the car started jilting as I went to take off I started jilting again but then smoothed out. The check engine light, ABS brake light and speed traction off light came on.They just all popped on. At the next light it did the same thing , it started to shutter and loss of power on taking off. It was sputtery at the same time which could have caused an accident! I finally make it home in about an hour later I had to run out to the store to get a couple things. I put it in reverse and it started to jitter again so I put it in park I checked all the fluids everything was fine Don't know why the lights were on. Again I put it in reverse Go to pull out of my driveway it starts to jitter. I put it in drive very slow getting up to movement. I slowed to stop at a light and it stalls out right in the middle of the intersection I try to start it back up , it does but now it just will not go anywhere!! there was no warning no loud bangs, pops, or squeals, no loud anything it just stopped. It will engage in each gear but refuses to go anywhere. it feels like it wants to go but it's just not going. This is very dangerous I could have gotten in a serious accident being in the middle of the intersection like that. this problem needs to be fixed upon looking on many forums and internet sites this seems to be a very common issue with the CVT or the 2009 or any outlander for that matter. My car was made in Japan I guess because the VIN starts with J I'm not sure of how to get any recalls from there or if that matters. I'm not sure the history on my vehicle neither or where it was registered last. I wish I knew when and where the repairs have been done for the recalls that my vehicle may have had. My car is doing exactly what the recalls were for; MMNS's number SR-15-002 in June 15th 2015 and also mmna's number SR-18-001 I did change both CVT filters and fluid also the oil and oil filter. Still nothing.

NHTSA ID

11736094

Incident

May 4, 2026

The MMCS system has a known bug. As of October 2023 the date and time of the system has defaulted back to 2004. The defect has disabled features such as maintenance records that are logged since new. The defect has been reported to the dealer and they have acknowledged there is currently no fix. The dealer also noted that replacing the GPS receiver does not correct the problem and it is likely a head unit firmware issue. There are hundreds of complaints via Internet forums that Mitsubishi equipped MMCS models from approximately 2007 through 2014 are affected. The only way to retrieve any data in the system is to disconnect the GPS receiver and manually input the current date. That fix disables the navigation system in lieu of having all the data the system has stored since new which could be a safety issue for some owners. This is an unacceptable problem for most owners.

NHTSA ID

11577857

Incident

Oct 31, 2023

EXACT PROBLEMS AS A RECALL ISSUED ON SELECT 09 OUTLANDER ON 6/25/14 FOR POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BUT MY VIN DOES NOT MATCH AS A VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY MY SELECT VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? I HAVE SEEN MANY MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS STATING THE SAME.

NHTSA ID

11287676

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

195,000 mi

FRONT CRADLE FRAME ASSEMBLY IS RUSTED TO THE POINT YOU CAN SEE THRU THE LARGE HOLES. TECHNICIANS RECOMMENDATION FRAME RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AT A COST OF $2,000

NHTSA ID

11270924

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

103,000 mi

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SE FRONT SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER CRADLE HAS CORRODED AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE CRADLE IS WHERE THE STEERING ATTACHES AND RAISES A SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD THE CRADLE BREAK DUE TO THE CORROSION. THERE ARE MANY MITSUBISHI VEHICLES THAT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS CONDITION, BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA ID

11207811

Incident

May 15, 2019

Mileage

82,400 mi

CORROSION AND MAJOR RUST ON THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION ESPECIALLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL. PARTS OF FRAME AND SUSPENSION JUST STARTED FALLING OFF. VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS SEEN ON THE OUTLANDER OF THE SAME YEAR BUT DIFFERENT SIZE ENGINE

NHTSA ID

11204258

Incident

Apr 24, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,240.

NHTSA ID

11193915

Incident

Apr 4, 2019

Mileage

171,240 mi

I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY SON'S 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER FOR DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER AND SUNROOF GLASS. I HAVE MADE 6 CALLS TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BRANDON, FL MITSUBISHI AND ALWAYS GET TOLD A SERVICE ADVISOR WILL CALL ME BACK AND I HAVE NOT RECIEVED A CALL BACK. I ALSO MADE 1 CALL TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I LEFT VOICEMAIL WITH THE INFORMATION AND TO CALL ME BACK. I HAVE RECIEVED NO CALLBACK. BRANDON MITSUBISHI 9915 E ADAMO DR BRANDON, FL 33619 813-285-7783

NHTSA ID

11186392

Incident

Mar 7, 2019

THE HEATER FAN STOPPED WORKING THERE'S HEAT BUT BLOWERS DON'T WORK FIRST THERE'S A WEIRD WINDING NOISE THEN NOTHING NO WARNING JUST STOPPED WORKING

NHTSA ID

11165278

Incident

Jan 4, 2019

THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT BROKE OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE FRAME FAILED AT THE LOWER A-FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE WHEEL/SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED DOWN TO THE FRAME AND SKIDDED ALONG THE ROAD TO STOP. THIS IS A 10 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE, ALWAYS PARKED ON PAVEMENT OR CONCRETE, AND HAS TYPICAL MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY IN CITY TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH.

NHTSA ID

11150043

Incident

Nov 7, 2018

Mileage

122,000 mi

SEAT BELT COMES UNBUCKLED AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11144769

Incident

Oct 31, 2018

Mileage

85,000 mi

FRONT CROSSMEMBER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THROUGH LUCK/SKILL MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT BASICALLY THE CORE SUPPORT THAT HOLDS THE WHEELS EXPERIENCED RUST ROT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH MANY MITSUBISHI CARS FROM 2003-2013 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11142338

Incident

Oct 21, 2018

Mileage

69,000 mi

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE ETACS ECU. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THE DEFECT WAS CONFIRMED. MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING WITHOUT NHTSA INVOLVEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE BLOWER FAILED DUE TO THE ETACS ECU SO THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR.

NHTSA ID

11118195

Incident

Jul 27, 2018

Mileage

139,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH TOTALED MY CAR. THE FRONT WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED AND TORN APART. THE PROBLEM IS... MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED DURING THIS ACCIDENT AND WE WERE HIT WHILE DOING 35MPH. I WAS INFORMED THAT AIRBAGS DEPLOY IN CAR ACCIDENTS IF GOING MORE THEN 10MPH OR DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE HIT. I HAVE BOTH FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS AND SO I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY THESE DIDN'T HELP US DURING THIS ACCIDENT IN WHICH COULD HAVE PREVENTED MY INJURIES CAUSING ME TO LEAVE THE SCENE IN AN AMBULANCE.

NHTSA ID

11097630

Incident

May 21, 2018

Mileage

101,000 mi

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILS TO LOCK. PER MITSUBISHI SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE AN UNLIMITED WARRANTY. SEAT BELTS SHOULD NOT FAIL. AS A MAJOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN A VEHICLE, SEAT BELTS SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11092799

Incident

Apr 30, 2018

''TAKARA AIRBAGS' MOVING, ROADWAY-FRONT END COLLISION. CAR WAS TOTALED IN ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

11061220

Incident

Dec 29, 2017

Mileage

102,000 mi

IF U OPEN THE LEVER INSIDE THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR TO OPEN IT WOULDN'T OPEN. IT HAPPEN TWO TIMES WITH ME. I HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERS TO OPEN IT. I'M GLAD I JUST HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO GET THERE. TO ME THIS IS A NERVE BREAKING. U CAN GET STUCK IF YOU ARE FAR DRIVING AND U CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO PUT GAS. NOW I BRING IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE AGAIN THEY SAY THAT THE CABLE GOING TO OPEN IS WEAR OUT OR BROKE. IT'S A WEEK NOW THE CABLE IS NOT COMING YET. THEY OPEN THE DOOR FOR MY HAD TANK BUT I CANNOT CLOSE IT. OR ELSE I'M CANNOT OPEN IT OR I CAN GET STUCK SOMEWHERE IF I HAVE NO GAS .IF I CLOSED THE DOOR. 46$ TO THE CABLE AND THEY SAID MAYBE 200$ OR MORE TO THE LABOR. THIS IS SCARY IF U ARE DRIVING FAR U TRYING TO PUT GAS U CANNOT OPEN THE DOOOR TO GET GET GAS U STUCK. IT'S TO EXPENSIVE FOR THE TOW TRUCK. U LUCKY IF U ARE CLOSED TO A DEALER. BUT U HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS. NOW I HAVE TO PUT A DUCK TAPE SO NOBODY CAN CLOSED IT OR IF I PUT GAS I CANNOT ACCIDENTALLY CLOSED IT OR ELSE I'M STUCK WITH NO GAS. I'M JUST LUCKY THAT I HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO THE DEALER WHEN I BRING THE CAR TO THEM.

NHTSA ID

11042556

Incident

Oct 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF UPDATED 10/13/2017*JS

NHTSA ID

10984469

Incident

Dec 2, 2016

FRONT CROSS MEMBER CORROSION CAUSED DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO DETACH. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGHER SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND ALTHOUGH SYMPATHETIC, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT NO APPLICABLE RECALLS OR SAFETY NOTICES APPLY TO MY VIN, THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE. REPAIRS WILL BE COSTLY, PERHAPS MORE THAN IT IS WORTH.

NHTSA ID

10979031

Incident

Apr 14, 2017

Mileage

190,000 mi

UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED THAT UNUSED COMPACT SPARE TIRE WHEEL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED AND SPARE TIRE DEFLATED & NOT HOLDING AIR PRESSURE AND UNUSABLE. BOLT HOLES AND MOUNTING SURFACES SO RUSTY THAT MOUNTING MAY BE UNSAFE. SPARE TIRE MOUNTS UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND IS SUBJECT TO RAIN, ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS.

NHTSA ID

10978738

Incident

Apr 15, 2017

Mileage

180,226 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPERS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE SUSPENSION REPAIR WAS RECEIVED IN AUGUST OF 2016. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10958382

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

BACK SEATS WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN. STEERING WHEEL IS SO HARD TO OPERATE. IN MOTION CAR BRAKES SOMETIMES GET HARD TO PUSH.

NHTSA ID

10955040

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10953650

Incident

Oct 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10938759

Incident

Dec 22, 2016

Mileage

106,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING BOTH OF MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT. I CHECKED FUSES AND THE NEXT TIME I USED THE CAR THE LIGHTS WORKED. MY WIFE USED THE CAR ONE NIGHT AND WAS DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD AND THE LIGHTS ONCE AGAIN WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS VERY UPSET AND RETURNED HOME IMMEDIATELY. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM HOME. I FOUND A RECALL FOR THE 2009 OUTLANDER THAT SOUNDED JUST LIKE OF MY PROBLEM (SR-15-002; ETACS ECU). I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY VERIFIED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ETACS ECU. THEY SAID MY CAR WAS MADE 4 MONTHS OUTSIDE THE RECALL WINDOW BUT THEY CONTACTED MITSUBISHI TO SEE IF THEY WOULD AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. MITSUBISHI DECLINED TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI FOR A WRITTEN REASON WHY , BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO DATE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10927643

Incident

Nov 21, 2016

Mileage

109,000 mi