VehicleVerdict

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander sits mid-pack among Outlander years: 79 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 64, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 25 reports (32% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

79

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Outlander years?

See all Outlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2532%
Engine1215%
Electrical System810%
Other68%
Speed Control68%
Brakes56%
Fuel System45%
Tires & Wheels45%
Airbags34%
Body & Structure23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%
Seat Belts11%
Steering11%

Does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V252000Body & StructureApril 20, 2026 · 108,046 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

25V507000Body & StructureAugust 7, 2025 · 121,529 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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

20V403000Seat BeltsJuly 13, 2020 · 177,000 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.

Consequence

An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.

18V070000BrakesJanuary 26, 2018 · 170,354 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

Consequence

If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed 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-18-002.

17V609000Electrical SystemSeptember 29, 2017 · 132,552 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

Consequence

If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THIS HAPPENS ALMOST ALL THE TIME - WHEN DRIVING AT CITY STREET SPEED OF 25 MPH AND UNDER MY CAR SHAKES SO MUCH AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. ON 3 OCCASIONS I WAS REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS AND ONE TIME WAS WITH A HUGE SANITATION TRUCK WITH MY CHILDREN INSIDE THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 10, 2019 · crash

DRIVER PROCEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A STOP AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. ACCORDING TO AN OF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER DIRECTLY BEHIND MY VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE LIT UP AS IF THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING BUT NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 27, 2015 · crash

DRIVER PROCEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A STOP AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. ACCORDING TO AN OF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER DIRECTLY BEHIND MY VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE LIT UP AS IF THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING BUT NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 27, 2015 · crash

THIS HAPPENS ALMOST ALL THE TIME - WHEN DRIVING AT CITY STREET SPEED OF 25 MPH AND UNDER MY CAR SHAKES SO MUCH AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. ON 3 OCCASIONS I WAS REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS AND ONE TIME WAS WITH A HUGE SANITATION TRUCK WITH MY CHILDREN INSIDE THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 10, 2019 · crash

HEAR STICK POPS OUT OF FEAR WITH SLIGHTEST TOUCH WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION DROPS TO LOWER FEAR WHILE DRIVING. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. ENGINE HAS 15,693 MILES, MECHANIC SAYS A ROD IS KNOCKING AND SHOULDN'T BE RUNNING THE FAN TO COOL AS MUCH AS IT DOES. ALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 31, 2015

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander — common questions

Is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

It is close to typical for the Outlander: 79 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 Outlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (25 complaints), engine (12 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints).

Does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outlander years to avoid are 2022, 2016, 2007, 2003. The cleanest record among Outlander years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.