VehicleVerdict

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander sits mid-pack among Outlander years: 44 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 64, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (25% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

44

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Outlander years?

Outlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted312 complaints2003: 149 complaints2004: 73 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 25 complaints2007: 175 complaints2008: 80 complaints2009: 61 complaints2010: 76 complaints2011: 88 complaints2012: 34 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 58 complaints2015: 79 complaints2016: 202 complaints2017: 81 complaints2018: 80 complaints2019: 46 complaints2020: 44 complaints2022: 312 complaints2023: 64 complaints2024: 37 complaints2025: 19 complaints2026: 6 complaints
Outlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1125%
Other818%
Driver Assistance818%
Airbags49%
Body & Structure25%
Seats25%
Brakes25%
Engine25%
Tires & Wheels12%
Transmission12%
Lighting12%
Steering12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

3 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

20V280000Seat BeltsMay 18, 2020 · 3,241 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Outlander and 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The seat belt for the right side second-row seat may have been assembled incorrectly.

Consequence

An incorrectly assembled seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right side second-row seat belt and replace it as necessary, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-002.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ The touchscreen does not work. This impairs use of the hands free telephone usage, volume levels, and altering of settings. This is a known problem, and Mitsubishi has recalled it in Australia. It is unsafe for any driver to not have ready access to hands free phone usage as it is well known how…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2024

“2020 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR END AND SLAMMED AGAINST A SOLID FOUNDATION IN THE FRONT THAT CAUSE THE DASHBOARD TO BREAK AND ALL THE SEATS TO BREAK FROM THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEVERE INJURIES RESULTED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON THE HIGHWAY IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 9, 2020 · crash

“The brakes keep giving out, this is the second Mitsubishi and the brakes gave out [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 19, 2024 · crash

“2020 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR END AND SLAMMED AGAINST A SOLID FOUNDATION IN THE FRONT THAT CAUSE THE DASHBOARD TO BREAK AND ALL THE SEATS TO BREAK FROM THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEVERE INJURIES RESULTED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON THE HIGHWAY IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 9, 2020 · crash

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V507000 (Structure) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 9, 2026

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander — common questions

Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 44 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Outlander year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2020 Outlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), other (8 complaints), driver assistance (8 complaints).

Does the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 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 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander earned an overall rating of 5 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.