2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 27, 2025 · 26 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Outlander years
Fewer complaints than other years 17th of 23 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander. That ranks 17th out of 23 Outlander model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is visibility/wiper (6 complaints, 23%), typically at around 66,789 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 13 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Mitsubishi Outlander
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (fourth generation) in Leinfelden-Echterdingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Visibility/wiper6 · ~66,789 mi
Engine5 · ~81,083 mi
Electrical System4 · ~42,650 mi
Power Train4 · ~71,000 mi
Unknown or Other4 · ~68,500 mi
Air Bags3 · ~47,000 mi
Service Brakes2 · ~69,650 mi
Exterior Lighting1 · ~15 mi
Seat Belts1 · ~32,000 mi
Seats1 · ~2,854 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Visibility/wiper623%66,789——
Engine519%81,083——
Electrical System415%42,650——
Power Train415%71,000——
Unknown or Other415%68,500——
Air Bags312%47,000——
Service Brakes28%69,650——
Exterior Lighting14%15——
Seat Belts14%32,000——
Seats14%2,854——
Steering14%1,200——
Vehicle Speed Control14%70,000——
Visibility14%65,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 7 complaints
2013: 5201352014: 2201422016: 1201612017: 7201772018: 4201842019: 1201912020: 1202012021: 3202132023: 1202312025: 120251

n = 26 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Structure:frame and members; suspension:front:control arm:lower armMay 18, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motorJul 20, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V461000 · 100,082 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkagesOct 31, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V791000 · 100,082 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower armJun 23, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsJun 25, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V366000 · 203 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Electrical System · received Aug 27, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11683495

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…

Electrical System · received Dec 17, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11560529

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…

Power Train · received Sep 30, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11434988

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)…

Unknown or Other · received Sep 9, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11432371

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…

Service Brakes · received Feb 10, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11395590

Other Mitsubishi Outlander years

← 2012 Outlander · 2014 Outlander →

See all Mitsubishi Outlander problems by year, every Mitsubishi model, or the Mitsubishi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Owners most often report visibility/wiper, engine, electrical system problems. The top one, visibility/wiper, accounts for 6 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Outlander model years, the 2013 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.