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KLUNK

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Verdict

89 Smooth Ride

The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (23 complaints) and electrical (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 89/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Mitsubishi Outlander, consider the 2025 model year which has 71% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 71% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander dashboard →

89

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

15V233000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manu...

Risk

Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

15V232000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles ...

Risk

Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduc...

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mit...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2003643302210
20042811391
2005120222
200682920
20078262638
2008265999
2009233884
201021610203
201126615365
2012152865
201322522127
20142021517
201532142158108
20163322263155
201717121282
201823417110
201977843
20201021421
20221311225346
20231541092
202492443
202571320

By Category

Body
23
Electrical
8
Engine
8
Transmission
4
Brakes
3

By Severity

1
18
2
23
4
5

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

I was driving home from work and I came upon a red light as I was slowing down the car started jilting as I went to take off I started jilting again but then smoothed out. The check engine light, ABS brake light and speed traction off light came on.They just all popped on. At the next light it did the same thing , it started to shutter and loss of power on taking off. It was sputtery at the same time which could have caused an accident! I finally make it home in about an hour later I had to run out to the store to get a couple things. I put it in reverse and it started to jitter again so I put it in park I checked all the fluids everything was fine Don't know why the lights were on. Again I put it in reverse Go to pull out of my driveway it starts to jitter. I put it in drive very slow getting up to movement. I slowed to stop at a light and it stalls out right in the middle of the intersection I try to start it back up , it does but now it just will not go anywhere!! there was no warning no loud bangs, pops, or squeals, no loud anything it just stopped. It will engage in each gear but refuses to go anywhere. it feels like it wants to go but it's just not going. This is very dangerous I could have gotten in a serious accident being in the middle of the intersection like that. this problem needs to be fixed upon looking on many forums and internet sites this seems to be a very common issue with the CVT or the 2009 or any outlander for that matter. My car was made in Japan I guess because the VIN starts with J I'm not sure of how to get any recalls from there or if that matters. I'm not sure the history on my vehicle neither or where it was registered last. I wish I knew when and where the repairs have been done for the recalls that my vehicle may have had. My car is doing exactly what the recalls were for; MMNS's number SR-15-002 in June 15th 2015 and also mmna's number SR-18-001 I did change both CVT filters and fluid also the oil and oil filter. Still nothing.

2mo ago
Electrical 2

The MMCS system has a known bug. As of October 2023 the date and time of the system has defaulted back to 2004. The defect has disabled features such as maintenance records that are logged since new. The defect has been reported to the dealer and they have acknowledged there is currently no fix. The dealer also noted that replacing the GPS receiver does not correct the problem and it is likely a head unit firmware issue. There are hundreds of complaints via Internet forums that Mitsubishi equipped MMCS models from approximately 2007 through 2014 are affected. The only way to retrieve any data in the system is to disconnect the GPS receiver and manually input the current date. That fix disables the navigation system in lieu of having all the data the system has stored since new which could be a safety issue for some owners. This is an unacceptable problem for most owners.

28mo ago
Transmission 1

EXACT PROBLEMS AS A RECALL ISSUED ON SELECT 09 OUTLANDER ON 6/25/14 FOR POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BUT MY VIN DOES NOT MATCH AS A VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY MY SELECT VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? I HAVE SEEN MANY MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS STATING THE SAME.

80mo ago
Body 1

FRONT CRADLE FRAME ASSEMBLY IS RUSTED TO THE POINT YOU CAN SEE THRU THE LARGE HOLES. TECHNICIANS RECOMMENDATION FRAME RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AT A COST OF $2,000

81mo ago
Body 2

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SE FRONT SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER CRADLE HAS CORRODED AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE CRADLE IS WHERE THE STEERING ATTACHES AND RAISES A SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD THE CRADLE BREAK DUE TO THE CORROSION. THERE ARE MANY MITSUBISHI VEHICLES THAT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS CONDITION, BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED.

87mo ago
Body 1

CORROSION AND MAJOR RUST ON THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION ESPECIALLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL. PARTS OF FRAME AND SUSPENSION JUST STARTED FALLING OFF. VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS SEEN ON THE OUTLANDER OF THE SAME YEAR BUT DIFFERENT SIZE ENGINE

87mo ago
Transmission 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,240.

88mo ago
Transmission 1

I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY SON'S 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER FOR DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER AND SUNROOF GLASS. I HAVE MADE 6 CALLS TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BRANDON, FL MITSUBISHI AND ALWAYS GET TOLD A SERVICE ADVISOR WILL CALL ME BACK AND I HAVE NOT RECIEVED A CALL BACK. I ALSO MADE 1 CALL TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I LEFT VOICEMAIL WITH THE INFORMATION AND TO CALL ME BACK. I HAVE RECIEVED NO CALLBACK. BRANDON MITSUBISHI 9915 E ADAMO DR BRANDON, FL 33619 813-285-7783

89mo ago
Electrical 2

THE HEATER FAN STOPPED WORKING THERE'S HEAT BUT BLOWERS DON'T WORK FIRST THERE'S A WEIRD WINDING NOISE THEN NOTHING NO WARNING JUST STOPPED WORKING

91mo ago
Body 1

THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT BROKE OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE FRAME FAILED AT THE LOWER A-FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE WHEEL/SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED DOWN TO THE FRAME AND SKIDDED ALONG THE ROAD TO STOP. THIS IS A 10 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE, ALWAYS PARKED ON PAVEMENT OR CONCRETE, AND HAS TYPICAL MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY IN CITY TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH.

93mo ago
Body 1

SEAT BELT COMES UNBUCKLED AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES.

93mo ago
Body 1

FRONT CROSSMEMBER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THROUGH LUCK/SKILL MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT BASICALLY THE CORE SUPPORT THAT HOLDS THE WHEELS EXPERIENCED RUST ROT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH MANY MITSUBISHI CARS FROM 2003-2013 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL.

94mo ago
Electrical 2

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE ETACS ECU. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THE DEFECT WAS CONFIRMED. MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING WITHOUT NHTSA INVOLVEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE BLOWER FAILED DUE TO THE ETACS ECU SO THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR.

96mo ago
Electrical 4

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH TOTALED MY CAR. THE FRONT WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED AND TORN APART. THE PROBLEM IS... MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED DURING THIS ACCIDENT AND WE WERE HIT WHILE DOING 35MPH. I WAS INFORMED THAT AIRBAGS DEPLOY IN CAR ACCIDENTS IF GOING MORE THEN 10MPH OR DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE HIT. I HAVE BOTH FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS AND SO I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY THESE DIDN'T HELP US DURING THIS ACCIDENT IN WHICH COULD HAVE PREVENTED MY INJURIES CAUSING ME TO LEAVE THE SCENE IN AN AMBULANCE.

99mo ago
Body 1

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILS TO LOCK. PER MITSUBISHI SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE AN UNLIMITED WARRANTY. SEAT BELTS SHOULD NOT FAIL. AS A MAJOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN A VEHICLE, SEAT BELTS SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY.

99mo ago
Electrical 4

''TAKARA AIRBAGS' MOVING, ROADWAY-FRONT END COLLISION. CAR WAS TOTALED IN ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

103mo ago
Engine 2

IF U OPEN THE LEVER INSIDE THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR TO OPEN IT WOULDN'T OPEN. IT HAPPEN TWO TIMES WITH ME. I HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERS TO OPEN IT. I'M GLAD I JUST HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO GET THERE. TO ME THIS IS A NERVE BREAKING. U CAN GET STUCK IF YOU ARE FAR DRIVING AND U CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO PUT GAS. NOW I BRING IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE AGAIN THEY SAY THAT THE CABLE GOING TO OPEN IS WEAR OUT OR BROKE. IT'S A WEEK NOW THE CABLE IS NOT COMING YET. THEY OPEN THE DOOR FOR MY HAD TANK BUT I CANNOT CLOSE IT. OR ELSE I'M CANNOT OPEN IT OR I CAN GET STUCK SOMEWHERE IF I HAVE NO GAS .IF I CLOSED THE DOOR. 46$ TO THE CABLE AND THEY SAID MAYBE 200$ OR MORE TO THE LABOR. THIS IS SCARY IF U ARE DRIVING FAR U TRYING TO PUT GAS U CANNOT OPEN THE DOOOR TO GET GET GAS U STUCK. IT'S TO EXPENSIVE FOR THE TOW TRUCK. U LUCKY IF U ARE CLOSED TO A DEALER. BUT U HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS. NOW I HAVE TO PUT A DUCK TAPE SO NOBODY CAN CLOSED IT OR IF I PUT GAS I CANNOT ACCIDENTALLY CLOSED IT OR ELSE I'M STUCK WITH NO GAS. I'M JUST LUCKY THAT I HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO THE DEALER WHEN I BRING THE CAR TO THEM.

106mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF UPDATED 10/13/2017*JS

111mo ago
Body 2

FRONT CROSS MEMBER CORROSION CAUSED DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO DETACH. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGHER SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND ALTHOUGH SYMPATHETIC, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT NO APPLICABLE RECALLS OR SAFETY NOTICES APPLY TO MY VIN, THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE. REPAIRS WILL BE COSTLY, PERHAPS MORE THAN IT IS WORTH.

112mo ago
Body 2

UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED THAT UNUSED COMPACT SPARE TIRE WHEEL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED AND SPARE TIRE DEFLATED & NOT HOLDING AIR PRESSURE AND UNUSABLE. BOLT HOLES AND MOUNTING SURFACES SO RUSTY THAT MOUNTING MAY BE UNSAFE. SPARE TIRE MOUNTS UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND IS SUBJECT TO RAIN, ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS.

112mo ago

46 total

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