2009 Mitsubishi OutlanderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 46 owner complaints about the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander, most often about the power train. It is covered by 13 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-458 the manufacturer reports only 17% of affected cars repaired.

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander has problems

46 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train50
Suspension50
Exterior lighting50
Visibility/wiper40
Visibility40
Engine40
Wheels40
Air bags33
Electrical system30
10 other systems182

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

13 recalls

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

39%repaired · 2022 Q2

Structure: frame and members

Recall 20V-279 · May 18, 2020 · 141,200 vehicles · 55,415 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

26%repaired · 2019 Q2

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 18V-071 · Jan 26, 2018 · 56,641 vehicles · 14,525 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

37%repaired · 2019 Q2

Gasoline: belts and associated pulleys

Recall 18V-069 · Jan 26, 2018 · 141,053 vehicles · 52,415 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

35%repaired · 2018 Q4

Windshield wiper/washer: motor

Recall 17V-461 · Jul 20, 2017 · 100,082 vehicles · 35,221 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 9 more recalls
35%repaired · 2018 Q4

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 16V-791 · Oct 31, 2016 · 100,082 vehicles · 35,192 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

17%repaired · 2018 Q2

Control arm: lower arm

Recall 16V-458 · Jun 23, 2016 · 194,674 vehicles · 32,605 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

55%repaired · 2016 Q3

Defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor

Recall 15V-233 · Apr 20, 2015 · 76,958 vehicles · 42,706 repaired

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

53%repaired · 2016 Q3

Electrical system

Recall 15V-232 · Apr 20, 2015 · 53,396 vehicles · 28,538 repaired

Risk. Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

41%repaired · 2016 Q1

Brake lights: switch

Recall 14V-564 · Sep 12, 2014 · 37,145 vehicles · 15,112 repaired

Risk. Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

45%repaired · 2016 Q1

Gasoline: belts and associated pulleys

Recall 14V-562 · Sep 12, 2014 · 165,923 vehicles · 75,468 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

74%repaired · 2015 Q4

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Recall 14V-366 · Jun 25, 2014 · 203 vehicles · 150 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

80%repaired · 2015 Q4

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 14V-365 · Jun 25, 2014 · 5 vehicles · 4 repaired

Risk. If the oil seal dislodges, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) may enter the transfer case assembly, reducing the ATF pressure in the transmission, resulting in…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Supply: check valve

Recall 09V-077 · Mar 10, 2009 · 39,711 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other Outlander year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Outlander median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander safety ratings

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Outlander owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11287676 · Dec 7, 2019 · 195,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,240.
Complaint 11193915 · Apr 4, 2019 · 171,240 miles
I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY SON'S 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER FOR DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER AND SUNROOF GLASS. I HAVE MADE 6 CALLS TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BRANDON, FL MITSUBISHI AND ALWAYS GET TOLD A SERVICE ADVISOR WILL CALL ME BACK AND I HAVE NOT RECIEVED A CALL BACK. I ALSO MADE 1 CALL TO THE…
Complaint 11186392 · Mar 13, 2019

Own a 2009 Outlander?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.