2023 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 2023 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
- Electrical1118.0%
- Fuel system813.1%
- Engine711.5%
- Driver assistance69.8%
- Steering58.2%
- Brakes58.2%
- Airbags58.2%
- Powertrain (other)46.6%
- Suspension46.6%
- Tires & wheels23.3%
- Other / unspecified23.3%
- Seat belts11.6%
- Interior & seats11.6%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The camera does not activate when the car is put into reverse. It also doesn't activate when you are parking the car. The parking camera doesn't show on the screen at all. The recall on this item was repaired on my car but didn't fix the issue and the dealer refused to service it further without significant cost. This is a fundamental safety issue that should be addressed by recall and repaired without cost to the owner. The dealership that serviced a previous recall was Doug Smith Mitsubishi in American Fork Utah, however this didn't fix the issue. I also paid money for a diagnostic service and the service center could not determine why the camera is not triggering. The warning sounds/alerts still work. Please help. Thanks
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Our vehicles gas door would not open to get gas. During the 2nd and 3rd repair they damaged our vehicle. Worst of all on the last repair they modified our gas tank. They said they took it off another vehicle. Mine was a locking door now it isn’t. Since this was done the vehicle smells of gas when you fill it up and the miles to empty is off about 100 miles.
You ca. have gas in the car and it still just cut off and say no gas and it be gas in their
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle experienced an apparent engine failure involving the engine cooling system and possible head gasket and/or engine damage. Prior to failure, the vehicle had a strong sweet coolant smell and was later diagnosed by the servicing dealership as having a coolant leak and possible engine-related damage requiring engine replacement. The vehicle is currently located and available for inspection at Don Herring Mitsubishi. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving after leaving the dealership, the vehicle began jerking, hesitating during acceleration, and losing power unexpectedly. A flashing check engine light briefly appeared and disappeared. The sudden loss of normal engine performance created a serious safety hazard because the vehicle could have stalled in traffic, increasing the risk of an accident or collision. I also have eight children, including [XXX] twins, and the loss of transportation has prevented me from reliably getting my children to school, medical appointments, and obtaining necessities. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Don Herring Mitsubishi inspected the vehicle and identified a coolant leak and possible major engine damage. The dealership advised that the engine may need replacement. The warranty company, CNA Extended Warranty, stated the dealership’s submitted notes referenced a blown head gasket and requested further teardown and inspection before approving repairs. The vehicle remains unrepaired while awaiting further action and/or engine replacement. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by Don Herring Mitsubishi and reviewed through CNA Extended Warranty as part of the repair claim process. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was also inspected on Marc INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF
The EV portion of the PHEV is often not providing power to the motors, even though, there are still plenty of battery power available. The vehicle sometimes gave "Power Reduced" warning that usually went away after 30 minutes, and the vehicle cannot go into EV mode. When in EV mode and just cruising on the highway, it barely has power to keep up with traffic and sometimes it is losing speed just on a slight incline on the road causing me to move over or take it out of EV mode just to get power from the gas engine. In one occasion, I driving in EV mode and merging onto the highway. I stepped on the gas and the car was barely, if at all, accelerating. Fortunately, there wasn't vehicle coming from the highway.
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
Recall repair did not solve the camera problem. Rear camera and parking assist camera's do not come on. When car is shifted into reverse, camera does not appear. This issue was already reported and I have completed the recall maintenance for this issue and the problem still persists. This is a massive safety liability. I took the car into the dealership and they confirmed the recall maintenance has already been completed. They then charged me $100 to do a diagnostic test, but they couldn't determine why the cameras were failing. I paid $100 and left with nothing fixed.
The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while reversing, the camera went blank for several seconds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V369000 (Back Over Prevention) and 23V345000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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
Extremely heavy steering on highway. Steering wheel slow to return to center and sometimes will stay "locked" into turn, requiring to turn the wheel manually back to center.
I took this car 2 times to the dealership about the same issue the steering wheel it has a lose parts inside keep giving a weird noise and the second issue the gas smell inside the cabin if you stop the vehicle on hot day and the ac running they are a very bad gas smell coming inside the cabin throw the ac vents i looked on this issue online alot of people have this issue dealership said can't smell nothing they don't want to put the work in to this issue i need help please even last night we smelled it its very bad alot they said On line other people that the gas tank vents on hot day the vent out the gas and its get in to the ac thats why we smell it but when you are driving you dont smell nothing but if you stop and keep the car running come back it will be inside the cabin full of gas smell coming from the vents i have a disabled son i can't keep going throw this issue and some people said that mitsubishi know about it and they are working on it to fix i can't breath no more gas
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
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).
“Since April, I’ve had an issue with the caliper in my car, and as of today, October 16, Victory Mitsubishi still hasn’t resolved it. I went back on July 4, and they told me they ordered the parts, but they’ve been on backorder since then. I’m still waiting, and my car’s brakes feel rough, plus the noise is really annoying.”
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
Hey I run over a pothole and. My tire went flat and then the air bag just came out that’s not supposed to happen just from a flat tire that’s a safety hazard
During operation in wet and rainy conditions, a warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle encountered a roadway pothole, at which point the airbags deployed unexpectedly. Simultaneously, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power, resulting in contact with a curb and minor damage to the wheel rim. The malfunction has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. To date, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. The affected components remain available for inspection upon request. No advance warning symptoms were observed other than the dashboard indicator that illuminated immediately prior to the incident. It is noted that the selling dealership did not disclose prior repairs performed on the vehicle, which may be relevant to the cause of this failure.
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
The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear of the vehicle would move independently. The contact stated that it felt as if the vehicle were going to slide and eventually would lose control. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown rear chip had failed. The shock absorbers had water, the rear brake pads were worn down to zero, and the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted and was worsening. In addition, the contact stated an abnormal grinding sound could be heard coming from the rear differential. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the differential gauge had failed to function as intended. The warning light for the 4-wheel drive was illuminated. The brakes and calipers were replaced. The rear differential was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the pole where the breather pipe is inserted on the rear differential carrier is off spec, allowing water intrusion. And that the new rear tires were badly worn on the inside and had high spots on the center. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Vehicle does not operate at temperatures below approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit due to manufacture failure to install a battery heater. Was inexplicably deleted from 2023 model year of vehicle. The heat pump system also does not work at low temperatures therefore an electrical resistance heating system is needed. Also, vehicles will not accept charge at low temperatures. The problem can only be confirmed at temperatures below 10 degrees. Vehicle warning lights confirm the problem is due to low temperature conditions. Research indicates numerous complaints that manufacturers are aware of and refuse to address. Could leave owner stranded if leaving vehicle in a cold location.
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
The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear of the vehicle would move independently. The contact stated that it felt as if the vehicle were going to slide and eventually would lose control. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown rear chip had failed. The shock absorbers had water, the rear brake pads were worn down to zero, and the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted and was worsening. In addition, the contact stated an abnormal grinding sound could be heard coming from the rear differential. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the differential gauge had failed to function as intended. The warning light for the 4-wheel drive was illuminated. The brakes and calipers were replaced. The rear differential was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the pole where the breather pipe is inserted on the rear differential carrier is off spec, allowing water intrusion. And that the new rear tires were badly worn on the inside and had high spots on the center. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Clunking/Rattling noise coming from passenger rear of vehicle when hitting bumps and rear of vehicle swaying/swerving. Can hear noise while shaking the car side to side while parked. Only 35000 miles. Rear suspension of vehicle seems soft. Took to the dealer rear was misaligned didn't find any other problems. Continue to have the problem swaying/swerving is still there but not as bad. This could possibly cause driver to loose control.
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
While I was driving on 77 south in Charlotte nc rt before exit 11 I heard a scraping and rattling sound then a loud pop. My air pressure immediately came on and dropped to zero for the passenger rear tire. I got off and pulled to the side of the road until road side assistance was able to tow my vehicle. My tire is p255/45 r20
Bridgestone Ecopia P255/45R22. Safety Concern for these tires, all 4 on my vehicle. Unable to control my vehicle at any speed above 25mph with these tires due to hydroplaning in any precipitation on roadway such as rain. Currently own a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SE and a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL both equipped with these tires and absolutely cannot safely drive these vehicles when it rains in any form of precipitation. The vehicle cannot keep traction on the roadway over 25mph and is sliding/hydroplaning from lane to lane and off the roadway.
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
Hey I run over a pothole and. My tire went flat and then the air bag just came out that’s not supposed to happen just from a flat tire that’s a safety hazard
My tire went flat, went to pull over and when my tire went blow , the driver seat airbag came out that’s not right because it’s no wreck no accident no nothing. I just don’t understand what could’ve went wrong with just a tire going flat on the passenger sideand then the driver seat airbag went off no collision no damage no nothing to vehicle my screen go out in the car I lose power when driving it’ll just lose power and now you have to pull over and turn the car off and start it back up. I have taken it in one time before they changed the battery since the battery is not the battery is something electrical.
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
Hey I run over a pothole and. My tire went flat and then the air bag just came out that’s not supposed to happen just from a flat tire that’s a safety hazard
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
On two instances,the plug under the driver seat controlling the seat functions became detached. On both occasions the seat pushed forward pushing the driver into the steering wheel making it nearly impossible to steer. Fortunately, I was stopped both times. This could have been catastrophic had I been going down the road. The dealer has temporarily wire tied the plug so it will not happen again and the have ordered a new wiring harness, which is on back order.
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 .