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Mitsubishi Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Mitsubishi owners report most, model by model, drawn from 1,933 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2010 to 2026 model years

Quick facts

Mitsubishi

Origin
Japanese
Status
Sold new in the U.S.
Most complaints
Outlander (886)
Most-reported area
Powertrain
Busiest model year
2015 (300 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
1,933
models with at least one complaint
18
of complaints mention powertrain
24%
recall campaigns covering the Outlander
30

01Common problems by model

Mitsubishi Common Problems by Model

The 8 Mitsubishi models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Mitsubishi models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2010 to 2026 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
Outlander886Powertrain and engine2022 (216)30
Outlander Sport476Powertrain and engine2015 (182)26
Lancer184Powertrain and engine2010 (51)8
Mirage122Airbags and brakes2014 (44)4
Eclipse Cross60Electrical system and airbags2018 (19)2
Lancer Evolution55Powertrain and stability control2010 (28)8
Mirage G445Airbags and electrical system2017 (13)1
Galant21Airbags and engine2010 (9)1
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The Outlander leads with 886 complaints, most of them about powertrain and engine. That does not make it the worst Mitsubishi. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Mitsubishi Problems Concentrate

Every Mitsubishi complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 18 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Powertrain461 · 24%
  2. Engine325 · 17%
  3. Electrical system290 · 15%
  4. Airbags233 · 12%
  5. Brakes216 · 11%
  6. Body structure168 · 9%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 2010169
  2. 2011149
  3. 201292
  4. 201380
  5. 2014153
  6. 2015300
  7. 2016202
  8. 2017113
  9. 2018133
  10. 201975
  11. 202067
  12. 202123
  13. 2022240
  14. 202367
  15. 202443
  16. 202522
  17. 20265

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Mitsubishi Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 886 complaints

    Mitsubishi Outlander

    1. 2022216 complaints
      7 recalls
    2. 2016145 complaints
      8 recalls
    3. 201060 complaints
      10 recalls

    Mostly about powertrain and engine.

  • 476 complaints

    Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

    1. 2015182 complaints
      9 recalls
    2. 201342 complaints
      10 recalls
    3. 201441 complaints
      6 recalls

    Mostly about powertrain and engine.

  • 184 complaints

    Mitsubishi Lancer

    1. 201051 complaints
      6 recalls
    2. 201134 complaints
      3 recalls
    3. 201630 complaints
      2 recalls

    Mostly about powertrain and engine.

  • 122 complaints

    Mitsubishi Mirage

    1. 201444 complaints
      3 recalls
    2. 201539 complaints
      2 recalls
    3. 201715 complaints
      2 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and brakes.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Mitsubishi, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Mitsubishi Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Mitsubishi Outlander recalls

    30

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2026 model years

    1. Aug 25, 2026Backup camera system: software26V549000
    2. Apr 20, 2026Body structure: body26V252000
    3. Aug 7, 2025Body structure: body25V507000
    4. Jun 2, 2025Backup camera system: software25V369000
    5. Jun 6, 2023Backup camera system: display function23V345000

  • Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls

    26

    recall campaigns, 2011 to 2026 model years

    1. Aug 2, 2022Powertrain: automatic transmission22V563000
    2. Mar 5, 2021Suspension: front21V144000
    3. Nov 30, 2020Parking brake20V741000
    4. May 18, 2020Body structure: frame and members20V279000
    5. Sep 14, 2018Electrical system: software18V620000

  • Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

    8

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2017 model years

    1. May 18, 2020Body structure: frame and members20V279000
    2. Jan 26, 2018Engine and cooling: engine18V069000
    3. Jan 26, 2018Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly18V071000
    4. Sep 29, 2017Electrical system: starter assembly17V609000
    5. Jul 28, 2016Powertrain: automatic transmission16V563000

  • Mitsubishi Mirage recalls

    4

    recall campaigns, 2014 to 2024 model years

    1. Oct 30, 2017Airbags17V686000
    2. Sep 19, 2016Exterior lighting: headlights16V675000
    3. Dec 4, 2015Electrical system: wiring15V815000
    4. Sep 23, 2015Airbags15V594000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a Mitsubishi dealer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Mitsubishi Maintenance Schedule

Typical service intervals for a gasoline Mitsubishi. Your owner’s manual has the exact figures for your engine.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Mitsubishi
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Engine oil and filter5,000 to 10,000 milesFull synthetic sits at the long end. Short trips and towing shorten it.
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Engine air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesInspect at every oil change and replace when dirty.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Transmission fluid30,000 to 60,000 milesVaries widely, and some manuals allow longer. Use only the specified fluid.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Drive belt inspection60,000 to 100,000 milesReplace at the first cracks, fraying or squeal.
Timing belt, if fitted60,000 to 100,000 milesEngines with a timing chain do not have this service.
Spark plugs30,000 to 100,000 milesCopper plugs wear fastest. Iridium and platinum last longest.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Mitsubishi's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageOil change calculatorWhat each service costs

06Manufacturer OBD2 codes

Mitsubishi OBD2 Codes

How to read the codes a Mitsubishi stores, and why some of them mean something different on another make.

A Mitsubishi stores two kinds of trouble code. Generic codes, which have 0 as their second character, mean the same thing on every make: P0420 is a catalyst efficiency fault on a Mitsubishi exactly as it is on any other car. Manufacturer-specific codes, which have 1 as their second character, are defined by Mitsubishi and can mean something different elsewhere.

We do not publish a list of Mitsubishi’s own P1 codes, because we could not verify one against Mitsubishi’s service information. For a P1 code, use a scanner that reads Mitsubishi codes, or ask a Mitsubishi dealer to look it up.

Free toolLook up a generic codeMeaning, common causes and whether it is safe to keep driving.
How OBD2 code types work

07Related guides and tools

Next steps for Mitsubishi owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

08Questions

Mitsubishi: common questions.

What are the most common Mitsubishi problems?

Among 2010 to 2026 model-year Mitsubishi vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are powertrain (24% of complaints), engine (17% of complaints) and electrical system (15% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Mitsubishi model has the most complaints?

The Outlander, with 886 complaints on file for 2010 to 2026 model years. Its 2022 model year has the most, at 216. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Mitsubishi for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

How often does a Mitsubishi need servicing?

Most gasoline cars need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and brake fluid every two years. Your Mitsubishi owner's manual gives the exact schedule for your engine.

09About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2010 to 2026 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.