Mitsubishi Outlander Structure Problems
Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Mitsubishi Outlander across 18 model years. The 2022 model year has the most (76). The words owners use most often: “hood flutters” (12% of reports).
- 157structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 57%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Hood flutters: mentioned in 19 of 157 complaints (12%)
- Fly open: mentioned in 10 of 157 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 58 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 157 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 3 an injury.
Mitsubishi Outlander structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Outlander | 1 | 4% | 4,000 |
| 2022 Outlander | 76 | 35% | 250 |
| 2020 Outlander | 2 | 6% | 53,000 |
| 2019 Outlander | 3 | 10% | 200 |
| 2018 Outlander | 8 | 14% | 120,000 |
| 2017 Outlander | 2 | 4% | 110,747 |
| 2016 Outlander | 12 | 8% | 36,499 |
| 2015 Outlander | 3 | 6% | 85,000 |
| 2014 Outlander | 4 | 9% | 3,500 |
| 2011 Outlander | 3 | 5% | 64,000 |
| 2010 Outlander | 2 | 3% | 75,000 |
| 2009 Outlander | 2 | 4% | 112,500 |
| 2008 Outlander | 5 | 9% | 115,000 |
| 2007 Outlander | 16 | 13% | 124,750 |
| 2006 Outlander | 2 | 10% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Outlander | 3 | 16% | 20,000 |
| 2004 Outlander | 8 | 15% | 169,214 |
| 2003 Outlander | 5 | 4% | 82,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Model years: 2022
Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling one 2022 Outlander vehicle. A software programming error with a welding robot may have caused the vehicle's center pillar to be welded incorrectly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and 216, "Roof Crush Resistance."
Risk: In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: MMNA will repurchase and replace the affected vehicle, free of charge. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-21-009.
Structure:frame and members; suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The front subframe crossmember on my vehicle is severely rusted out. There is currently a hole measuring about 2"x1". I previously had two other holes on the bottom welded as a temporary fix, but the rust just kept eating through the metal and it's now beyond saving. Because of this structural…
The hood on my 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has visibly fluttered, shaken and bounced while driving since I purchased the vehicle used on March 15, 2024, with approximately 80,000 miles. This has been an ongoing condition throughout my ownership, not a single isolated incident. The movement is…
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V252000 (Structure). The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that…
When i drive on the interstate i noticed my hood shaking and seems like its going to fly open.
The seat belts are much slower to retract than with other cars, including our 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander we also own. My wife has had the front passenger seat belt get stuck in the door at least 3 times (likely more) which has required us to make multiple stops at the dealership to fix it. This is…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mitsubishi Outlanders have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 157 owner complaints about structure for the Mitsubishi Outlander. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mitsubishi Outlander structure?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Mitsubishi Outlander?
The most frequent phrase is “hood flutters”, in 19 of 157 complaints, followed by “fly open” (10).
Other Mitsubishi Outlander problems
- Power Train problems (183)
- Suspension problems (173)
- Electrical System problems (165)
- Engine problems (139)
- Air Bags problems (110)
See all Mitsubishi Outlander problems.