2009 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
92,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 46 complaints (10.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 13.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Exterior Lighting: 5; Power Train: 5; Suspension: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Wheels: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 5; 2016: 6; 2017: 7; 2018: 7; 2019: 7; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10322838 · 2010-03-30 (March 30, 2010)
WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. IT WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2009. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT BY MAIL MARCH 17, 2010. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AT EDISON MOTORS, BRAD BENSON DEALER IN MONMOUTH, N.J. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. IT WAS SENT TO ALMATY, KAZAHKSTAN TO MY SON WHO WORKS FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND LIVES THERE WITH HIS WIFE AND TWO VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. THE RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER VALVE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT HAD BEEN DONE. TO DOUBLE CHECK, I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAY IT HA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10322838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10325903 · 2010-04-15 (April 15, 2010)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10913641 · 2016-10-04 (October 4, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PRIOR TO EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION SHAFT BEARING FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10913641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11287676 · 2019-12-07 (December 7, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 195,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11287676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10955040 · 2017-02-16 (February 16, 2017)
BACK SEATS WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN. STEERING WHEEL IS SO HARD TO OPERATE. IN MOTION CAR BRAKES SOMETIMES GET HARD TO PUSH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10955040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11736094 · 2026-05-06 (May 6, 2026)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11736094 at NHTSA ↗