2013 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls

WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN PARK, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL, THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE ENGINE THAT KEEP UP WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN IN PARK WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE SOUND WAS LIKE WHEN A CAR HAS LOW OIL IN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT I ASKED A NEIGHBOR AND HE SAYS THESE CARS DON'T USE OIL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL THAT THE NOISE WAS MOST LIKELY THE ALTERNATOR. AND IT HAS BEING GETTING LOUDER. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CAR MAY BREAK DOWN. ALSO IN THE FIRST MONTH OF BUYING THE CAR I NOTICED THE FRONT TRAIN SEEMED LOOSE BUT I WAS TOLD …

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10678422 at NHTSA ↗

UNLESS WE ARE WITHIN 12 INCHES OF THE CAR THE PANIC BUTTON DOES NOT WORK, THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, HOWEVER MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT WORK. WE HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND HAD ARBITRATION AND MITSUBISHI WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM. I WAS IN A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE AND I THOUGHT I WAS BEING FOLLOWED AND THE PANIC BUTTON DID NOT WORK (FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT BEING FOLLOWED).

Owner-reported narrative. 37 miles reported. Look up ODI 10717511 at NHTSA ↗

OVER NIGHT, MY BATTERY DIED. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON, THE WINDSHIELD WHISPERS WOULD GO CRAZY, RADIO WOULD TURN ON, BUT NOT THE CAR. PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY, CAR IS ONLY 3 YRS OLD. THE NEW BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED NOW. WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, THE RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF BY ITSELF, THE FOG LIGHTS STROBE, AND THERE IS A BEEPING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP TEASED EVERYTHING AND FOUND THAT IT IS THE ECU (ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNIT) WHICH IS ON RECALL FOR MY MAKE, YEAR, AND MODEL, BUT NOT FOR MY CAR BASED OFF THE VIN. IT IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING WRONG …

Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823818 at NHTSA ↗

TAILGATE IS RUSTING NEAR THE LIFT GATE HANDLE AND ALSO BOTH SIDES OF THE UPPER PART NEAR THE GLASS WHERE THE TAILGATE MEETS THE SPOILER. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MITSUBISHI THEY WILL NOT HONOR ANY RUST ISSUES UNLESS I AM ABLE TO POKE A HOLE THROUGH THE AFFECTED AREAS. MEANWHILE THE CAR IS CLEARLY RUSTING AND THE PLASTIC HANDLE WHICH IS AROUND THE RUSTED AREA ON THE TAILGATE IS COMING LOOSE DUE TO THE RUST. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME RUST ISSUE.

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10862444 at NHTSA ↗

-ELECTRIC LOCK BUTTON DID NOT RESPOND. -UNLOCK BUTTON ON KEY DID NOT RESPOND. -ON PUSHING START BUTTON, CONSOLE CYCLED THROUGH EVERY WARNING AVAILABLE, IN THIS ORDER: 'CLOSE FUEL CAP LID', 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED', 'BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED' , 'ACC SERVICE REQUIRED', 'RBS SERVICE REQUIRED', 'CLOSE HOOD', 'ENGINE OVERHEATING STOP SAFELY', 'LIMITED DRIVING MODE', 'ASC SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED', '4WD SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED', 'LDW SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED 'EV SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED STOP SAFELY THE POWER WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL …

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896797 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10924628 at NHTSA ↗

TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION IN MY 2013 OUTLANDER SPORT. ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH, AND THE IMPACT AREA OF MY VEHICLE WAS ALL FRONT END, NOT ONE SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND CHEST THAT I FEEL COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935470 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10938758 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-03-29 (March 29, 2013)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport AWD vehicles manufactured June 11, 2012, through December 11, 2012. These vehicles may have been built without a fuel sending unit harness for the sub-sending unit. This may result in a false fuel tank level reading.

Consequence: The vehicle operator may believe they have fuel when the tank is actually empty. This could cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will install the proper fuel sending harness, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign recall number is SR-13-005.

Reported: 2013-03-29 (March 29, 2013)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured June 11, 2012, through September 11, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection." The brake stop lamps may illuminate continuously or intermittently. The shift lever could also be moved out of Park without depressing the brake pedal.

Consequence: If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly other vehicles may not know when the vehicle is stopping. This could increase the risk of a crash. If the shift lever is moved from park without using the brake, the vehicle may roll causing personal injury.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The recall BEGAN ON April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign recall number is SR-13-004.

Reported: 2013-07-08 (July 8, 2013)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 17, 2013, through January 25, 2013. The stabilizer link bracket on the left front strut was improperly welded. As a result, the link may detach and cause damage to the tire and/or brake hose.

Consequence: If the stabilizer link bracket damages the tire and/or brake line, the driver may have more difficulty controlling the steering of the vehicle, or the vehicle may require a longer stopping distance to come to a complete and controlled stop. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the front left strut assembly free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2013. Owners may contact MMNA at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's recall number is SR-13-008.

Reported: 2014-02-04 (February 4, 2014)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured July 20, 2012, through May 29, 2013 and equipped with leather seats. In the affected vehicles, the driver side seat mounted air bag wiring may have been improperly routed during the leather seat cover installation process.

Consequence: If the wiring is routed incorrectly, using the seat height adjustment may damage the wiring resulting in illumination of the air bag warning light. Subsequently, in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the driver side seat mounted air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners and dealers will inspect the wiring of the driver side seat mounted air bag and re-route the wire if necessary, free of charge. If the wire is damaged, the seat mounted airbag will be replaced, free of chagre. The recall began on February 28, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-001.

Reported: 2014-11-21 (November 21, 2014)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured July 20, 2012, to July 23, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt lap end attachment fastener may not be torqued to specification, and the fastener may loosen with time.

Consequence: A loosened and weakened fastener may not be capable of withstanding the load forces associated with a vehicle crash, leaving the seat occupant insufficiently restrained and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt lap end attachment fastener, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-714-372-6000. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-011.

Reported: 2016-10-31 (October 31, 2016)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.

Consequence: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.

Reported: 2018-01-26 (January 26, 2018)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

Consequence: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-002.

Reported: 2018-02-09 (February 9, 2018)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

Consequence: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

Reported: 2020-05-18 (May 18, 2020)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.

Reported: 2021-03-05 (March 5, 2021)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure, such as from road salt use.

Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied, or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one, free of charge. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-21-001. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-279. Owners not previously notified under 20V-279 were notified on March 22, 2021.