ProblemsMitsubishi › 2020 Outlander

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems & Owner Complaints

31 NHTSA owner complaints
5 crash 7 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~4.4 complaints per year on the road — ranking 10 of 14 Mitsubishi Outlander years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

Thinking about buying a specific Mitsubishi Outlander?

This page shows problems reported across all 2020 Mitsubishi Outlanders. Before you buy that one car, enter its VIN: get a free open-recall check, then unlock the full $19 safety report: every complaint, safety ratings & a downloadable PDF for that exact vehicle.

Checking a specific 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander? Enter its VIN

Free recall check · optional $19 full safety report before you buy

What owners report

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area on the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, cited in 11 of 31 filed complaints (35%).

Forward Collision Avoidance is next (6 complaints, 19%), followed by Air Bags (4), Engine (2), Exterior Lighting (2).

Across all complaints, 5 report a crash, 7 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 3 crash, 6 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 31.

Electrical System 11

“Multiple times I have been driving at a safe speed with no other vehicles or people around and the dashboard will beep and light up brake! Brake!”
NHTSA complaint #11726071, 2026

“I believe the locks should be recalled my Lock Actuatora on my 2020 Mitsubishi outlander keeps going out……both my passenger front and back are out for a second time. And driver side doesn’t always unlock and lock with the key fob. All have been fixed before and it has been less than a year after being fixed. This is a safety issue and I think they need to put a recall out!”
NHTSA complaint #11706154, 2025

“The driver's seat goes forward but doesn't life up. It is stuck in a reclined position. The motor doesn't work to lift the sit up but does for the forward movement,. When you revlind seat it does not incline. Chair motor is not sold separately but was told the whole drivers seat have to be replaced”
NHTSA complaint #11666672, 2024

Unknown Or Other 8 2 crash 5 injury

“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 ROUTE TO TURN WHEN STRUCK. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11328690, 2020 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“I was at a 24 hr storage unit. It was dim & I needed to unload from the rear hatch door so I backed to the open storage unit door in its upright position as high as I could get it & stopped at a safe distance from the doorway so the car door would not catch the storage unit door. I put the vehicle in PARK to have some lighting & double checked before I got out- gear shift securely in PARK. I opened the car's rear door & started unloading without overly disturbing the vehicle or causing any unnecessary movement. I had just turned my back to the car door to put down some boxes in the unit. As…”
NHTSA complaint #11430374, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I made an appt for a recall on my touchscreen at Hayward mitsubishi on may 27th 2025. I was left in the waiting room for two hours even with an appt. I was told mona would come get me but never did. I was very upset. Eventually my information was taken and said the part would come in, in approximately 9 months. The time has passed and they dis not return my calls and blocked my number on the text messages. They also did not return any calls to the BBB and I also submitted a complaint to the BAR. They are refusing to help me and other dealerships are also ignoring me. Thank you for your attenti…”
NHTSA complaint #11731656, 2025

Forward Collision Avoidance 6 1 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)”
NHTSA complaint #11626314, 2024 · crash

“Multiple times I have been driving at a safe speed with no other vehicles or people around and the dashboard will beep and light up brake! Brake!”
NHTSA complaint #11726071, 2026

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at 25 MPH, a "be careful due to icy roads" message appeared, but it was the middle of May and there was no ice or cold weather in sight. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11740553, 2025

Air Bags 4 3 crash 6 injury

“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 ROUTE TO TURN WHEN STRUCK. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11328690, 2020 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while crossing an intersection at 35 MPH; another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the contact's front driver-side door. The contact was knocked across the two-lane road and hit a telephone pole on the passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The authorities arrived on the scene and assisted the contact out of the vehicle through the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact was treated at the scene and was later taken to the emergency room for treatment. The contact was given an X-ray…”
NHTSA complaint #11565755, 2023 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ANOTHER DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE AT THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…”
NHTSA complaint #11391077, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Engine 2

“WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED FLASHING WARNINGS OF "EV SYSTEM REQUIRED STOP SAFELY", "RBS SERVICE REQUIRED!", AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, I WASN'T ABLE TO ACCELERATE OVER 20MPH. I QUICKLY EXITED THE FREEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE CAR SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY AS FAR AS THE ACCELERATION, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON LIGHT REMAINED AND THE "BRAKE!" FORWARD COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM STARTED TO RANDOMLY KICK IN. INTERESTINGLY, IN THE WEEK LEADING UP TO THE SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN THE FORWARD COLLISION MITIGA…”
NHTSA complaint #11405790, 2021

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. While the contact’s wife was driving in a school zone, several unknown error codes became displayed. The Lane Departure warning light illuminated, and the automatic high beam headlights malfunctioned. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the driver shifted to neutral(N) and back to drive(D) and was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local…”
NHTSA complaint #11687943, 2020

Exterior Lighting 2

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low beam headlights were significantly dim and progressively worsened and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times, where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11754050, 2024

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. While the contact’s wife was driving in a school zone, several unknown error codes became displayed. The Lane Departure warning light illuminated, and the automatic high beam headlights malfunctioned. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the driver shifted to neutral(N) and back to drive(D) and was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local…”
NHTSA complaint #11687943, 2020

Before you buy this car, see its exact open recalls + full $19 report Enter the VIN of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander you're looking at, free recall check first

Lane Departure 2

“Got in my car to go to work and blind spot service required light came on”
NHTSA complaint #11590695, 2024

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. While the contact’s wife was driving in a school zone, several unknown error codes became displayed. The Lane Departure warning light illuminated, and the automatic high beam headlights malfunctioned. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the driver shifted to neutral(N) and back to drive(D) and was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local…”
NHTSA complaint #11687943, 2020

Seats 2

“The driver's seat goes forward but doesn't life up. It is stuck in a reclined position. The motor doesn't work to lift the sit up but does for the forward movement,. When you revlind seat it does not incline. Chair motor is not sold separately but was told the whole drivers seat have to be replaced”
NHTSA complaint #11666672, 2024

“The left back seat on the 2nd row rocks. I’m expecting twins and it’s not safe for the babies.”
NHTSA complaint #11493095, 2022

Service Brakes 2 1 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)”
NHTSA complaint #11626314, 2024 · crash

“I was making a turn out of a driveway across a three-lane streets into the left turn lane on the street in front of my children's School, while pulling out of the driveway and crossing the lanes, having clear distance to cross the lanes and visual confirmation from the oncoming drivers as they were waiting for me to proceed, my car abruptly stopped, it breaks on its own and left me across the three lanes sideways exposed to be t-boned. It would not start or move out of the stopped position. I tried to put the car in park and again in drive to no avail the car still would not budge. I had to co…”
NHTSA complaint #11680254, 2025

Structure 2

“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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11709853, 2026

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving on the interstate at an undisclosed speed, there was wind underneath the hood, and the hood was vibrating. The contact was concerned about the hood becoming ajar. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was associated with TSB: 21-42A-001. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was test-driven, and the dealer was able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 95,730.”
NHTSA complaint #11749592, 2026

Power Train 1

“MY CAR IS 4 MONTHS OLD WITH 5500 MILES ON IT. DRIVING AT 70MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, CAR STARTED TO KNOCK AND BUCK. I REDUCED SPEED. THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE D FOR GEAR SELECTION STARTED TO BLINK. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I RESTARTED AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I DROVE HOME AT A REDUCED SPEED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. 5500 MILES!”
NHTSA complaint #11390090, 2021

Steering 1

“After reversing out of say the drive way or parking spot there is a thump noise after putting the car into drive and proceeding to go. I have taken it to the dealer and they state multiple people are experiencing the same thing and that they have been in contact with Mitsubishi about it and they say it is normal. I have never had this happen in any vehicle I have ever owned before and for it to be told to me that multiple people are experiencing this is not very satisfactory. And should be something they look into. Another issue I recently brought to the dealers service department is the ac ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11510018, 2023

Suspension 1

“After reversing out of say the drive way or parking spot there is a thump noise after putting the car into drive and proceeding to go. I have taken it to the dealer and they state multiple people are experiencing the same thing and that they have been in contact with Mitsubishi about it and they say it is normal. I have never had this happen in any vehicle I have ever owned before and for it to be told to me that multiple people are experiencing this is not very satisfactory. And should be something they look into. Another issue I recently brought to the dealers service department is the ac ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11510018, 2023

Wheels 1 1 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)”
NHTSA complaint #11626314, 2024 · crash

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander draws about 4.4 complaints per year on the road, ranking 10 of 14 among the Mitsubishi Outlander model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

Before you buy this Mitsubishi Outlander

Don't buy on the strength of a problems page alone. Check the exact VIN of the car you're looking at. The open recalls are free, and the full $19 safety report pulls every complaint, safety rating and a downloadable PDF for that one vehicle.

Related

Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

SaveVIN

Free vehicle recall & safety reports using public U.S. NHTSA data.

Uses public U.S. NHTSA data SaveVIN is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to NHTSA, the U.S. government, or any vehicle manufacturer.
For official recall notices, check nhtsa.gov/recalls and register your vehicle with its manufacturer. SaveVIN alerts are best-effort and do not replace official notices.