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Mitsubishi Outlander 2007–2013
2nd generation · CW (Mitsubishi GS platform)
NHTSA data through 12 August 2026548 complaints, 333 with mileageMethod
On this generation, 19% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 3 times higher than during the rest of the car's life.
- First 12,000 miles — 19% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 6 complaints (1.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,600
- 25%
- 30,100
- Median
- 74,000
- 75%
- 120,500
- 90%
- 151,281
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 61 | 18.3% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 12 | 3.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 7 | 2.1% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 13 | 3.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 11 | 3.3% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 18 | 5.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 26 | 7.8% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 26 | 7.8% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 20 | 6.0% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 19 | 5.7% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 14 | 4.2% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 11 | 3.3% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 27 | 8.1% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 21 | 6.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 7 | 2.1% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 14 | 4.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 7 | 2.1% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 9 | 2.7% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.9% |
| 200,000+ | 6 | 1.8% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 548 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2013 Mitsubishi Outlander, and 333 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
19% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 3 times higher than during the rest of the car's life. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the suspension (15.3% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles), the engine (8.9% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles), visibility/wiper (8.6% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles).
12 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Suspension120,000median 120,250 miles, middle half 82,000 to 151,000
- Engine99,000median 99,000 miles, middle half 64,000 to 125,000
- Visibility/wiper69,000median 68,789 miles, middle half 60,000 to 84,000
- Transmission and driveline94,000median 94,000 miles, middle half 51,000 to 130,000
- Electrical system70,000median 69,650 miles, middle half 5,000 to 95,000
- Problems owners could not categorise84,000median 84,500 miles, middle half 54,000 to 137,000
- Body structure115,000median 115,000 miles, middle half 73,000 to 147,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 84 | 15.3% | 120,000 | 82,000–151,000 |
| Engine | 49 | 8.9% | 99,000 | 64,000–125,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 47 | 8.6% | 69,000 | 60,000–84,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 44 | 8.0% | 94,000 | 51,000–130,000 |
| Electrical system | 44 | 8.0% | 70,000 | 5,000–95,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 39 | 7.1% | 84,000 | 54,000–137,000 |
| Body structure | 29 | 5.3% | 115,000 | 73,000–147,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 29 | 5.3% | 70,000 | 12,000–137,000 |
| Airbag system | 27 | 4.9% | 40,000 | 14,000–96,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 23 | 4.2% | — | — |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 74,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The suspension accounts for 15.3% of complaints (84 reports, 52 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 120,250 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 82,400 and 151,281 miles.
The engine accounts for 8.9% of complaints (49 reports, 20 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 99,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 64,000 and 125,000 miles.
Visibility/wiper accounts for 8.6% of complaints (47 reports, 14 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,789 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 84,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.0% of complaints (44 reports, 33 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 94,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,000 and 130,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.0% of complaints (44 reports, 30 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 69,650 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,200 and 95,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.1% of complaints (39 reports, 16 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 84,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,872 and 137,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2007 model year drew the most — 175 complaints — while 2012 drew the fewest at 34. The median year sits at 76.
That makes 2007 an outlier: roughly 2.3 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around visibility equipment (4), the engine and its cooling system (2), body structure (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 548 complaints filed against this generation, 32 reported a crash; 7 reported a fire; 31 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 5.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 19% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the suspension and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 99,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
CVT (jatco Jf011e) 2008–2013 (2.4L CVT cars)
Belt and pulley wear leading to shudder, flare on takeoff and eventual loss of drive, aggravated by heat, towing and extended fluid intervals; the same Jatco unit used across several brands in this era.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 175 | 112 |
| 2008 | 80 | 57 |
| 2009 | 61 | 32 |
| 2010 | 76 | 46 |
| 2011 | 88 | 43 |
| 2012 | 34 | 17 |
| 2013 | 34 | 26 |
Recalls (12)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V279000 | 2020-08-07 | Structure:frame and Members |
| 18V069000 | 2018-03-27 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and Associated Pulleys |
| 18V071000 | 2018-02-27 | Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly |
| 17V461000 | 2017-07-28 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor |
| 16V791000 | 2017-07-28 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages |
| 16V458000 | 2016-09-14 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm |
| 15V233000 | 2015-06-15 | Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor |
| 15V232000 | 2015-06-15 | Electrical System |
| 14V564000 | 2014-10-15 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| 14V562000 | 2014-10-15 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and Associated Pulleys |
| 14V366000 | 2014-08-12 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, and Connections |
| 14V365000 | 2014-07-30 | Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) |
What owners reported
My mitsibishi SUV Outlander ls 2007 had failed to stop about between 20-30 ft. From the car ahead of me. When i tried to stop in a sudden move, the anti-skid and anti-lock plus ABS system failed. I hit the other vehicles rear bumper and my SUV bumper got hit and within few seconds the whole SUV caught in fire and…
2007 · 35 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Front suspension has a clunk everytime you turn and start from cero. Radio, backlight is to low and is impossible to read it with sunlight in cold weather the vents for the a/c cycles every 15 seconds and headlight, interior light dim every time. People think you are changing lights when driving at night because of…
2007 · 50 miles · Suspension
Built from 333 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page