2010 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls

I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL IN SNOWY WEATHER. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 29 YEARS SO I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER, HAVING DRIVEN THIS ROAD FOR ELEVEN YEARS...WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. MY NEIGHBOR WAS THE FIRST ONE TO COME TO ME AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND HE SAID IT LOOKED AS THOUGH MY BACK WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP. I KNOW NOT TO HOLD THE BRAKES...AND I IMAGINE THAT ALL FOUR BRAKES WOULD HAVE SLID HAD IT BEEN BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE BEING HELD. I WAS HEADED FOR THE DITCH..HOPING TO BE ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN WITHOUT CRASHING AND FOR SOME REASON THE V…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10372356 at NHTSA ↗

SNOWSTORM CONDITIONS. SEVERE VIBRATION OF ENTIRE CAR DRIVING OVER 40 MI/HR ON HIGHWAY. STOPPED TO SEE IF SNOW/ICE IS TRAPPED IN RIMS OR WHEELWELLS. NOTHING IS VISIBLE TO REMOVE. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES DURING A SNOWSTORM. WHEN SNOW/ICE MELTS PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED CLEANING RIMS BEFORE LEAVING, BUT IF YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING, HOW CAN YOU CLEAN IT. DEALER HAS SUGGESTED TAKING THE CAR TO A CARWASH AND SPRAYING THE RIMS WITH HOT WATER, BUT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO OR FROM WORK. THIS NOT ONLY SEE…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10380062 at NHTSA ↗

FAULTY BRAKES AND AIR BAGS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10422812 at NHTSA ↗

I TOOK MY 2010 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER IN FOR A NOISE IN THE REAR AND THEY FOUND THE THIRD ROW SEAT ANCHOR BROKEN. MITSUBISHI CLAIMS THAT THE ANCHOR IS BROKEN AND THAT IT IS NON WARRANTY. I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT A VEHICLE WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE WOULD NOT COVER A SAFETY ISSUE THAT INVOLVES THE SAFETY OF ITS PASSENGERS. ESPECIALLY CHILDREN WHO WOULD RIDE IN THIS SEAT. I GUESS MITSUBISHI DON'T CARE ABOUT KEEPING THEIR SEATS ANCHORED TO THE CAR FOR THE SAFETY OF ITS RIDERS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 23,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439650 at NHTSA ↗

HI, WHEN YOU HAVE THE A/C ON MAX AND YOUR HEAD LIGHTS ON THE LIGHTS DIM EVERY TIME THE A/C COMPRESSOR KICK ON AND STAYS DIM UNTIL THE COMPRESSOR KICKS OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE THEY HAD ME BRING IT BACK IN AND THEY KEPT IT FOR SEVEN HOUR AND CALLED ME TO COME PICK IT UP THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO DIMMING AND THE ALTERNATOR IS PUTTING OUT FINE WITH EVERYTHING TURNED ON. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM AND WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH T…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461159 at NHTSA ↗

MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL KEPT MAKING A NOISE. SO I PULLED OFF THE WHEEL TO SEE THE BRAKE PAD WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. I HAD THEM REPLACED AN THE MECHANIC SAID THE CALIPER WAS STICKING HE ALSO SAID IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE I HAD THE PADS CHANGED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OCCURRING BEFORE WITH THE ORIGINAL PADS. MITSUBISHI WARRANTY IS A JOKE! *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10471331 at NHTSA ↗

HIT STRAIGHT ON BY DRUNK DRIVER WHILE AT STOP LIGHT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, I WAS INJURED TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL OTHER DRIVER ARRESTED. TIME OF DAY AT NIGHT WELL LITE AREA. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN SHE HIT ME IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR TOTAL DAMAGE AND FRONT CRUMPED IN TO DRIVER ( ME). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562813 at NHTSA ↗

FIRST, ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW, THE FUSE BLEW ON THE AUX / CIG LIGHTER. APPROX. ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, I HAD TO TAKE IT IN, BECAUSE ALL THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES WOULD START FLASHING AND THE RADIO WOULD GO OFF. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED RUNNING, BUT IT WAS SCARY. ADDITIONALLY, THE DOOR SOMETIMES WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE FOB. THE DEALER CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, STARTING IN JUNE OF 2013, OR EARLIER, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTS FREQUENTLY DIM AND GET BRIGHTER, ESPECIALLY IF THE A/C IS ON.…

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574474 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2014-06-25 (June 25, 2014)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid.

Consequence: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006.

Reported: 2014-09-12 (September 12, 2014)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

Reported: 2015-04-20 (April 20, 2015)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.

Consequence: Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.

Reported: 2015-04-20 (April 20, 2015)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.

Consequence: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.

Reported: 2016-06-23 (June 23, 2016)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, 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 the loss of control of the vehicle, 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected 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 rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009.

Reported: 2017-07-20 (July 20, 2017)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. 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 recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.

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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, 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-18-001.

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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.

Consequence: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.

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.