MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER · model year

2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

34 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013MITSUBISHIOUTLANDER carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 OUTLANDER is visibility/wiper with 6 filings, followed by engine (5) and power train (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2013 OUTLANDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

34
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths
2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

34 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY/WIPER6
ENGINE5
POWER TRAIN4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
AIR BAGS3
SERVICE BRAKES2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
STEERING1
SEATS1
SEAT BELTS1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recalls (5)

16V79100031/10/2016

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

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 resul

14V36600025/06/2014

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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 serv

16V45800023/06/2016

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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,

17V46100020/07/2017

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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 po

20V27900018/05/2020

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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, M

Recent Complaints

20250827ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My vehicle shut off on a state route when I had the vehicle towed to the dealership I was informed it was the ecu. I found out a year after my vehicle was purchased, there was a technical service bulletin out in this part. I am not sure why there was not a recall sent when they knew this part could be defective and my life was put at risk by it shutting off on the highway. How is a vehicle safe when it just shuts off. This should have been a recall and not a bulletin. Please reconsider making this a recall. I would hate to see people lose their lives because of this.

20231217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On Dec 8,2023 our mitsubishi outlander shut off while being driven. When this occurred multiple warning lights come on including, service engine immediately, engine overheating (which it was not) and multiple other lights. It was towed to the dealership where they told us the ECU is bad. Mitsubishi no longer makes the part. They have also told us this is the 3rd vehicle in the last month with the same issue. Car had no power/electrical /engine issues prior to this event. Mitsubishi is offering no solution to fix the issue. Luckily when the car shut down we were driving at a low speed in a neighborhood. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been very dangerous. We now have no car, no possibility of repair and no answers to why this happened without warning.

20231217ENGINE

On Dec 8,2023 our mitsubishi outlander shut off while being driven. When this occurred multiple warning lights come on including, service engine immediately, engine overheating (which it was not) and multiple other lights. It was towed to the dealership where they told us the ECU is bad. Mitsubishi no longer makes the part. They have also told us this is the 3rd vehicle in the last month with the same issue. Car had no power/electrical /engine issues prior to this event. Mitsubishi is offering no solution to fix the issue. Luckily when the car shut down we were driving at a low speed in a neighborhood. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been very dangerous. We now have no car, no possibility of repair and no answers to why this happened without warning.

20231217UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On Dec 8,2023 our mitsubishi outlander shut off while being driven. When this occurred multiple warning lights come on including, service engine immediately, engine overheating (which it was not) and multiple other lights. It was towed to the dealership where they told us the ECU is bad. Mitsubishi no longer makes the part. They have also told us this is the 3rd vehicle in the last month with the same issue. Car had no power/electrical /engine issues prior to this event. Mitsubishi is offering no solution to fix the issue. Luckily when the car shut down we were driving at a low speed in a neighborhood. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been very dangerous. We now have no car, no possibility of repair and no answers to why this happened without warning.

20210930POWER TRAIN

1) Transmission or power train 2) The vehicle may be inspected at request 3) The vehicle starts and may go for about a mile, and then it will buck and act like it's in neutral for all gears. I got stuck in the middle of an intersection turning left. I managed to get it back home, and then needed help pushing it into the driveway, where it sits. 4) I have seen several similar complaints for the years; 2012, and 2014 through 2021. 5) The vehicle has been worked on, and the valve body for the transmission was replaced about a month ago. 6) The warning message that popped up just before the issue was "Transmission service is required." It appeared on 9/27/2021, the day I was giving a ride to someone across town. I had recently replaced the valve body, because the solenoids were failing, and the transmission itself was serviced.

20210909UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My catalytic converter just went in my vehicle. I was told by dealership that the warranty expired by months. I contacted Mitsubishi and a case was opened. I was called by them today and they wont make an exception even though my mieage is well under the 80000 miles (under by over 28,000 miles) When I asked to talk to a manager I was told no and no exception would be made. I just want them to pay for the defective part.

20210210SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN AN ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS COUPLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY CAUSED MY CAR TO SEIZE UP MAKING ME MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS I REGAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RESIST ANY ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPMS WOULD FREQUENTLY SPIKE. I ALSO LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING. THROUGH MY MECHANIC I LATER FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS FORCING ITSELF INTO "LIMP MODE" BECAUSE THE ENGINE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GIVING A FAULTY READING. ALL OF THIS PUT MY CAR INTO CONDITIONS FOR A CRASH HAD I NOT ACTED QUICKLY TO AVOID IT. IT ALSO CREATED A REPAIR BILL THAT WAS UNNECESSARY AS THIS IS APPARENTLY PART OF A KNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-13-13-008. I FIND IT INAPPROPRIATE AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF MITSUBISHI TO NOT HAVE ALERTED ME TO THE DEFECT IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND FILTER BOX. IT CAUSED A NEEDLESS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND EXCESS REPAIRS.

Mileage: 70,000

20210210ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN AN ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS COUPLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY CAUSED MY CAR TO SEIZE UP MAKING ME MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS I REGAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RESIST ANY ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPMS WOULD FREQUENTLY SPIKE. I ALSO LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING. THROUGH MY MECHANIC I LATER FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS FORCING ITSELF INTO "LIMP MODE" BECAUSE THE ENGINE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GIVING A FAULTY READING. ALL OF THIS PUT MY CAR INTO CONDITIONS FOR A CRASH HAD I NOT ACTED QUICKLY TO AVOID IT. IT ALSO CREATED A REPAIR BILL THAT WAS UNNECESSARY AS THIS IS APPARENTLY PART OF A KNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-13-13-008. I FIND IT INAPPROPRIATE AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF MITSUBISHI TO NOT HAVE ALERTED ME TO THE DEFECT IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND FILTER BOX. IT CAUSED A NEEDLESS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND EXCESS REPAIRS.

Mileage: 70,000

20210210VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN AN ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS COUPLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY CAUSED MY CAR TO SEIZE UP MAKING ME MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS I REGAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RESIST ANY ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPMS WOULD FREQUENTLY SPIKE. I ALSO LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING. THROUGH MY MECHANIC I LATER FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS FORCING ITSELF INTO "LIMP MODE" BECAUSE THE ENGINE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GIVING A FAULTY READING. ALL OF THIS PUT MY CAR INTO CONDITIONS FOR A CRASH HAD I NOT ACTED QUICKLY TO AVOID IT. IT ALSO CREATED A REPAIR BILL THAT WAS UNNECESSARY AS THIS IS APPARENTLY PART OF A KNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-13-13-008. I FIND IT INAPPROPRIATE AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF MITSUBISHI TO NOT HAVE ALERTED ME TO THE DEFECT IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND FILTER BOX. IT CAUSED A NEEDLESS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND EXCESS REPAIRS.

Mileage: 70,000

20200819POWER TRAIN

AT 115,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. MY SUV NO LONGER GOES ABOVE 30MPH WITHOUT THE RPMS WILDLY JUMPING. BOTH THE 2014 AND 2015 MODELS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS VERY CVT ISSUE BUT THE 2013 DOES NOT.

Mileage: 115,000

20191126ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. ALSO, THE ACS MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT BEING (7) JUMPSTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH PALM MITSUBISHI (572 NORTHLAKE BLVD, NORTH PALM BEACH, FL 33408, (561) 328-9121) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,300.*PM*JB

Mileage: 69,300

20191126SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. ALSO, THE ACS MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT BEING (7) JUMPSTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH PALM MITSUBISHI (572 NORTHLAKE BLVD, NORTH PALM BEACH, FL 33408, (561) 328-9121) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,300.*PM*JB

Mileage: 69,300

20181008POWER TRAIN

AFTER A LONG DRIVE, EVEN MORE SO UPHILLS, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING AND THE CAR HESITATES TO GO AFTER A STOP. A WARNING MESSAGE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS OVER HEATING APPEARS AND THE CAR RUNS AT HIGH RPMS AT ONLY 60 MPH. ERROR CODE P1778 HAS APPEARED TWICE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 71,000 MILES

Mileage: 71,000

20180428CrashAIR BAGS

MY CAR WAS TOTALED A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HIT A DEAR AT 55MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MY FRONT END WAS DESTROYED MY RADIATOR WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. I WAS INFORMED MY AIR BAGS SHOULD OF DEPLOYED BUT THEY DID NOT

Mileage: 96,000

20180415ENGINE

ON APRIL 12TH, THURSDAY NIGHT AROUND 8 PM, I WAS HEADING NEAR THE I-290/ I-90 INTERSECTION, RIDING ON I-90 WEST. I HEARD A SHARP CRACK IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I LOST POWER STEERING, CHECK BATTERY CHARGE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES, ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A STOP IN A SAFE AREA BETWEEN THE INTERSECTING HIGHWAYS. A HIGHWAY WORKER PROTECTED ME WITH HIS SAFETY TRUCK TILL AAA TOW TRUCK TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL SCHAUMBURG MITSUBISHI DEALER ANY STEPS YOU TOOK TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM, SUCH AS CHECKING FOR FLOOR MATS. BE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT YOU DID AND HOW YOU DID IT. THE DEALER/SERVICE PERSONNEL FOUND THAT THE BELT TENSIONER BEARING WAS PULLING OUT AND THE BELT WAS NOT RIDING ON THE PULLEY CORRECTLY. THE TENSIONER WAS REPLACED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FAULT WITH THE BELT TENSIONER/ BEARING AND SHOULD BE FIXED FOR THESE CARS. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM

Mileage: 92,166

20180316UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 99,000

20180316ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 99,000

20171223UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WITHOUT WARNING THE RPM WILL DROP TO ZERO. AT FIRST IT WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP WITHOUT HAVING TO RESTART IT. NOW WITHOUT WARNING IT WILL JUST DIE AND RPM GOES TO ZERO AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE STORED AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE STOPPED AS WELL AS DRIVING DON THE ROAD AT 50 MPH.

Mileage: 38,000

20171218VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RAY BRANDT CHEVROLET, WESTBANK EXPY, HARVEY, LA 70058 (504)-229-6013). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V792000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20171218VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RAY BRANDT CHEVROLET, WESTBANK EXPY, HARVEY, LA 70058 (504)-229-6013). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V792000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

Compare 2013MITSUBISHIOUTLANDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER have?
The 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has 34 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
Yes, the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The most-complained component for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER is VISIBILITY/WIPER with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.