2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility814.5%
- Engine712.7%
- Exterior lighting59.1%
- Powertrain (other)59.1%
- Suspension59.1%
- Other / unspecified47.3%
- Airbags35.5%
- Electrical35.5%
- Seat belts35.5%
- Steering35.5%
- Brakes35.5%
- Driver assistance23.6%
- Body & structure23.6%
- Fuel system11.8%
- Tires & wheels11.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR THE ENGINE AND VISIBILITY; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE 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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TPMS VALVE STEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TPMS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
"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.
''TAKARA AIRBAGS' MOVING, ROADWAY-FRONT END COLLISION. CAR WAS TOTALED IN ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT COMES UNBUCKLED AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BACK SEATS WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN. STEERING WHEEL IS SO HARD TO OPERATE. IN MOTION CAR BRAKES SOMETIMES GET HARD TO PUSH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'VE CHECKED EVERYTHING THAT I COULD AND MY CAR STILL SHAKES A LOT WHEN I'M DRIVING AND WHEN I AM STOPPED IT SHAKES EVEN MORE. EVERY TIME I PRESS ON THE GAS IT JUMPS UP AND IT KIND OF FEELS LIKE IT SLIDES. I TOOK IT FOR A FREE INSPECTION AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK BUT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT I CAN FEEL IT WHEN I DRIVE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT ABNORMALLY WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT AND THEY WOULD OFTEN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE IN SPEED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO PREVENT DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION; HOWEVER, SHE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE UNWANTED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE HER INSURANCE COMPANY COMPLETE AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED TO PROCEED WITH AN INVESTIGATION AS WELL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 3,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 $2,000
THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT BROKE OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE FRAME FAILED AT THE LOWER A-FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE WHEEL/SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED DOWN TO THE FRAME AND SKIDDED ALONG THE ROAD TO STOP. THIS IS A 10 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE, ALWAYS PARKED ON PAVEMENT OR CONCRETE, AND HAS TYPICAL MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY IN CITY TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
IF U OPEN THE LEVER INSIDE THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR TO OPEN IT WOULDN'T OPEN. IT HAPPEN TWO TIMES WITH ME. I HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERS TO OPEN IT. I'M GLAD I JUST HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO GET THERE. TO ME THIS IS A NERVE BREAKING. U CAN GET STUCK IF YOU ARE FAR DRIVING AND U CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO PUT GAS. NOW I BRING IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE AGAIN THEY SAY THAT THE CABLE GOING TO OPEN IS WEAR OUT OR BROKE. IT'S A WEEK NOW THE CABLE IS NOT COMING YET. THEY OPEN THE DOOR FOR MY HAD TANK BUT I CANNOT CLOSE IT. OR ELSE I'M CANNOT OPEN IT OR I CAN GET STUCK SOMEWHERE IF I HAVE NO GAS .IF I CLOSED THE DOOR. 46$ 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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN DEC 2012 THE TIRE SENSOR INDICATOR SHOWED ONE OF THE TIRES WAS IN NEED OF AIR. I WENT TO FILL IT AND THE VALVE BLEW OFF AND THE TIRE DEFLATED IMMEDIATELY. HAD TO PUT ON THE SPARE AND HAVE THE SENSOR AND VALVE REPLACED, $200. IN MAY 2013 AGAIN THE INDICATOR SHOWED A TIRE WAS LOW. I FILLED IT AND LATER THAT DAY I TURNED A CORNER AND FOUND IT WAS TOTALLY FLAT AND THE TIRE WAS RUINED. AGAIN PUT ON THE SPARE AND TOOK IT TO TIRE WAREHOUSE (ON A SUNDAY MY DEALER WAS NOT OPEN). THEY INFORMED ME THE PIECE OF THE SENSOR/VALVE WAS MISSING CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT VERY QUICKLY. I HAD TO PURCHASE 2 NEW TIRES SINCE THAT ONE WAS RUINED. THEY ALSO NOTICED THAT THE SAME PART THAT WAS MISSING FROM THE FLAT TIRE, IS ALSO MISSING ON THE OTHER FRONT TIRE CAUSING THAT TO LOOSE AIR ALSO . WE ALSO CHECKED THE REMAINING REAR TIRE AND THAT SAME PART WAS CRACKED AND CORRODED AND READY TO ALSO COME OFF AND CAUSE ANOTHER FLAT. I IN TURN HAD THEM REPLACE EACH SENSOR WITH A REGULAR VALVE. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY WERE TOLD BY MITSUBISHI THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR AND MILEAGE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IN TURN WOULD COST ME APPROXIMATELY $600 FOR THE REMAINING 3 SENSORS TO BE REPLACED. OBVIOUSLY THE PART IS POOR QUALITY AND CORRODES EASILY. IT IS AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE WITH NO ALTERNATIVES WHEN THE LIFE OF THE PART IS SO SHORT. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 4 YEARS OLD. THE WAY THAT MITSUBISHI IS HANDLING THIS PROBLEM IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I WOULD NEVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN BECAUSE THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR INFERIOR PARTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .