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2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Aug 27, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 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

  • Visibility620.7%
  • Engine517.2%
  • Powertrain (other)413.8%
  • Electrical413.8%
  • Airbags310.3%
  • Brakes26.9%
  • Interior & seats13.4%
  • Exterior lighting13.4%
  • Driver assistance13.4%
  • Seat belts13.4%
  • Steering13.4%

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RAY BRANDT CHEVROLET, WESTBANK EXPY, HARVEY, LA 70058 (504)-229-6013). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V792000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID 11055317 · filed Dec 18, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V792000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DON WILLIAMSON NISSAN LOCATED AT 310 WESTERN BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546 WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11019084 · filed Aug 23, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

On Dec 8,2023 our mitsubishi outlander shut off while being driven. When this occurred multiple warning lights come on including, service engine immediately, engine overheating (which it was not) and multiple other lights. It was towed to the dealership where they told us the ECU is bad. Mitsubishi no longer makes the part. They have also told us this is the 3rd vehicle in the last month with the same issue. Car had no power/electrical /engine issues prior to this event. Mitsubishi is offering no solution to fix the issue. Luckily when the car shut down we were driving at a low speed in a neighborhood. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been very dangerous. We now have no car, no possibility of repair and no answers to why this happened without warning.

NHTSA ID 11560529 · filed Dec 17, 2023

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN AN ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS COUPLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY CAUSED MY CAR TO SEIZE UP MAKING ME MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS I REGAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RESIST ANY ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPMS WOULD FREQUENTLY SPIKE. I ALSO LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING. THROUGH MY MECHANIC I LATER FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS FORCING ITSELF INTO "LIMP MODE" BECAUSE THE ENGINE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GIVING A FAULTY READING. ALL OF THIS PUT MY CAR INTO CONDITIONS FOR A CRASH HAD I NOT ACTED QUICKLY TO AVOID IT. IT ALSO CREATED A REPAIR BILL THAT WAS UNNECESSARY AS THIS IS APPARENTLY PART OF A KNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-13-13-008. I FIND IT INAPPROPRIATE AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF MITSUBISHI TO NOT HAVE ALERTED ME TO THE DEFECT IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND FILTER BOX. IT CAUSED A NEEDLESS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND EXCESS REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 11395590 · filed Feb 10, 2021

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1) Transmission or power train 2) The vehicle may be inspected at request 3) The vehicle starts and may go for about a mile, and then it will buck and act like it's in neutral for all gears. I got stuck in the middle of an intersection turning left. I managed to get it back home, and then needed help pushing it into the driveway, where it sits. 4) I have seen several similar complaints for the years; 2012, and 2014 through 2021. 5) The vehicle has been worked on, and the valve body for the transmission was replaced about a month ago. 6) The warning message that popped up just before the issue was "Transmission service is required." It appeared on 9/27/2021, the day I was giving a ride to someone across town. I had recently replaced the valve body, because the solenoids were failing, and the transmission itself was serviced.

NHTSA ID 11434988 · filed Sep 30, 2021

AT 115,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. MY SUV NO LONGER GOES ABOVE 30MPH WITHOUT THE RPMS WILDLY JUMPING. BOTH THE 2014 AND 2015 MODELS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS VERY CVT ISSUE BUT THE 2013 DOES NOT.

NHTSA ID 11350223 · filed Aug 19, 2020

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My vehicle shut off on a state route when I had the vehicle towed to the dealership I was informed it was the ecu. I found out a year after my vehicle was purchased, there was a technical service bulletin out in this part. I am not sure why there was not a recall sent when they knew this part could be defective and my life was put at risk by it shutting off on the highway. How is a vehicle safe when it just shuts off. This should have been a recall and not a bulletin. Please reconsider making this a recall. I would hate to see people lose their lives because of this.

NHTSA ID 11683495 · filed Aug 27, 2025

On Dec 8,2023 our mitsubishi outlander shut off while being driven. When this occurred multiple warning lights come on including, service engine immediately, engine overheating (which it was not) and multiple other lights. It was towed to the dealership where they told us the ECU is bad. Mitsubishi no longer makes the part. They have also told us this is the 3rd vehicle in the last month with the same issue. Car had no power/electrical /engine issues prior to this event. Mitsubishi is offering no solution to fix the issue. Luckily when the car shut down we were driving at a low speed in a neighborhood. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been very dangerous. We now have no car, no possibility of repair and no answers to why this happened without warning.

NHTSA ID 11560529 · filed Dec 17, 2023

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS TOTALED A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HIT A DEAR AT 55MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MY FRONT END WAS DESTROYED MY RADIATOR WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. I WAS INFORMED MY AIR BAGS SHOULD OF DEPLOYED BUT THEY DID NOT

NHTSA ID 11090823 · filed Apr 28, 2018

STRUCK IN RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL BY PICKUP TRUCK GOING 70MPH WHICH TOTALLED MY VEHICLE AND CAUSED INJURIES TO MYSELF AND GRANDSON BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEPLOYMENT WOULD HAVE REDUCED OUR INJURIES.

NHTSA ID 11005483 · filed Jul 15, 2017

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN AN ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS COUPLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY CAUSED MY CAR TO SEIZE UP MAKING ME MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS I REGAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RESIST ANY ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPMS WOULD FREQUENTLY SPIKE. I ALSO LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING. THROUGH MY MECHANIC I LATER FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS FORCING ITSELF INTO "LIMP MODE" BECAUSE THE ENGINE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GIVING A FAULTY READING. ALL OF THIS PUT MY CAR INTO CONDITIONS FOR A CRASH HAD I NOT ACTED QUICKLY TO AVOID IT. IT ALSO CREATED A REPAIR BILL THAT WAS UNNECESSARY AS THIS IS APPARENTLY PART OF A KNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-13-13-008. I FIND IT INAPPROPRIATE AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF MITSUBISHI TO NOT HAVE ALERTED ME TO THE DEFECT IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND FILTER BOX. IT CAUSED A NEEDLESS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND EXCESS REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 11395590 · filed Feb 10, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. ALSO, THE ACS MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT BEING (7) JUMPSTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH PALM MITSUBISHI (572 NORTHLAKE BLVD, NORTH PALM BEACH, FL 33408, (561) 328-9121) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,300.*PM*JB

NHTSA ID 11282414 · filed Nov 26, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

3RD ROW SEAT BROKE THE FABRIC HAS GIVEN AWAY THERE IS NO SUPPORT OR ANY TYPE OF CUSHION FOR YOUR BUTT. ALL THERE IS , IS THE METAL FRAME STRUCTURE AND WHEN YOU FOLD THE SEAT BACK TO STORE IT, IT WONT STAY DOWN, DOESN'T LATCH SO WHEN YOUR DRIVING ANY BUMP YOU HIT OR ON THE FREEWAY THE SEAT RATTLES AND BOUNCES UP AND DOWN, I FEEL THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD, WE WILL NOT LET OUR KIDS SIT BACK THERE ANYMORE, ALSO IT HURTS THEM TO SIT ON THAT SEAT, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 5-2-2013 AND THEY TOLD US MITSUBISHI CONSIDERS IT TO BE TRIM AND WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, AS FAR AS THE LATCH TO HOLD THE SEAT DOWN WHEN IT IS FOLDED THEY SAID THAT'S THE WAY IT IS, IT WAS NEVER LIKE THAT UNTIL THE DAY MY 15 YR OLD DAUGHTER SAT BACK THERE AND THE FABRIC TORE UNDERNEATH AND SHE SAID THE SEAT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT, WHEN I LOOKED AT IT AND TRIED TO FOLD IT BACK DOWN THE SEAT FELT SLOPPY LIKE SOMETHING BROKE MECHANICAL WISE, IM UPSET CAUSE THAT'S WHY WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAS THREE ROWS OF SEATS, MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP SAID ITS A TEMPORARY SEAT NOT TO BE USED ALL THE TIME. THERE IS NOTHING THAT STATS ITS A TEMPORARY SEAT OR A WEIGHT LIMIT ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE OR IN THE VEHICLES MANUAL.....PLEASE HELP *TR

NHTSA ID 10512879 · filed May 20, 2013

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ARRIVED HOME AFTER PURCHASE AROUND 8PM. NOTICED WATER CONDENSATION INSIDE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER TWICE. FIRST TIME BACK NO ANSWERS, SECOND TIME BACK THEY SAY "IT IS DUE TO THE CAR SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT FOR A WHILE, NO REPAIRED NEEDED" DUE TO THE COLD TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE AND THE HOT TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE HEADLAMP THE WATER CONDENSATION BEGINS TO CLOULD THE VIEW OF ACTUAL LIGHT THUS DECREASING VISIBILITY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DUE TO THE BLOCKED LIGHT. BASICALLY DRIVING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT~ MUST BE A FAULTY SEALED HEADLAMP ENCLOSURE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESEALED,RECALLED, OR JUST REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10493807 · filed Jan 22, 2013

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN AN ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS COUPLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY CAUSED MY CAR TO SEIZE UP MAKING ME MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS I REGAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RESIST ANY ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPMS WOULD FREQUENTLY SPIKE. I ALSO LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING. THROUGH MY MECHANIC I LATER FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS FORCING ITSELF INTO "LIMP MODE" BECAUSE THE ENGINE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GIVING A FAULTY READING. ALL OF THIS PUT MY CAR INTO CONDITIONS FOR A CRASH HAD I NOT ACTED QUICKLY TO AVOID IT. IT ALSO CREATED A REPAIR BILL THAT WAS UNNECESSARY AS THIS IS APPARENTLY PART OF A KNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-13-13-008. I FIND IT INAPPROPRIATE AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF MITSUBISHI TO NOT HAVE ALERTED ME TO THE DEFECT IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND FILTER BOX. IT CAUSED A NEEDLESS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND EXCESS REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 11395590 · filed Feb 10, 2021

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE. THEREFORE I STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL TWICE, AND WHIPPED MY NECK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10633083 · filed Sep 14, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAD OWNED MY OUTLANDER FOR JUST OVER A WEEK AND WAS ATTEMPTING A NORMAL LEFT HAND TURN. MY LONG-SLEEVE, CUFFED SHIRT BECAME CAUGHT ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE RIGHT PADDLE SHIFTER. AS I ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR FROM THE TURN, THE WHEEL TURNED AND PULLED MY STUCK RIGHT ARM INTO AN OPENING ON THE STEERING WHEEL.CONSEQUENTLY, MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TURNING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS I BOTH TRIED TO STOP AND FREE MY ARM. LUCKILY, APPROACHING TRAFFIC SAW MY CAR IN ENOUGH TIME TO AVOID HITTING ME. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FREE MY HAND UNTIL I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP AND REPOSITIONED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PADDLE SHIFTERS ON THIS CAR ARE EACH OVER 4" LONG AND AWKWARDLY PLACED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. CLOTHING OR JEWELRY CAN EASILY BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE MECHANISM. I BELIEVE MY SAFETY AND THE POTENTIAL SAFETY OF OTHER OUTLANDER OWNERS IS IN QUESTION. I HAVE ASKED THE COMPANY TO REMOVE THEM FROM MY CAR TO WHICH MITSUBISHI CORPORATE REPLIED "WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY PROCEDURES OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE PADDLE SHIFTERS." MY DEALERSHIPS HANDS ARE TIED WITH MITSUBISHI HEADQUARTERS POSITION. I FEEL THAT THE COMPANY IS MAKING LIGHT OF MY CONCERN AND HAS NO INTEREST IN ACKNOWLEDGING OR SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10502217 · filed Mar 9, 2013

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

Data on this page last refreshed .