68 of the
1,874 complaints filed about the Mitsubishi Outlander
are about the steering —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
This vehicle recieved the [XXX] recall treatment in 2019 but the crossmember snapped anyway in april 2026. It snapped all the way through on the driverside causing the wheel to go completely sideways pulling out the cv axle with it, smashing into the wheel well and fender making the driverside door inoperable, and causing the TOTAL loss of control and needed emergency towing off the roadway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was parked in a parking spot and when returned to my car and turned my car on a loud bang came from the front of the vehicle. Both of my front tires were facing inward. The drivers side front tie rod snapped with a clean break for no reason. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where after inspection there was no obvious reason for this to happen, no damage to the tire, aluminum wheel, or any other component under the car. There was no warning of any kind, the vehicle was driving perfectly smooth and not pulling to one side just before this happened. The vehicle and damaged tie rod are available for inspection. Needless to say If i were driving at highway speeds there could have been catastrophic injury. As of right now Mitsubishi only viewed pictures, I asked them to inspect the vehicle but they did not. I would prefer NHTSA inspect the tie rods because if this happened while parked the tie rod could be defective and dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11736172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Extremely heavy steering on highway. Steering wheel slow to return to center and sometimes will stay "locked" into turn, requiring to turn the wheel manually back to center.
NHTSA complaint #11716840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my vehicle, the roads were snowy so was traveling slowly. I attempted to slow down a little more, when I pushed on the brake there was absolutely no response, usually you can feel and even hear the brakes (abs) functioning, there was nothing. I also tried to steer, again, no response, the vehicle continued straight, we went into a ditch and rolled on our side. I tried to put down a window but all dash lights, etc were off and car was not running. I pushed the "start button" dash lights came on, could roll down windows, etc... and the car even starts and runs now. It seems as though there was no "control" of any kind, we were going slow and I even had time to tell my passenger, "be prepared, hold on"...
NHTSA complaint #11702513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car has severe rust on the frame to the point of the rust corroding a hole in the frame making it unsafe to drive. Black paint has been applied to conceal the extent of the rust, demonstrating clear intent to mislead and a disregard for human safety. The catalytic converter has been aftermarket welded into place and failing emissions. Other repairs needed cannot be done because the rust damage is to bad for mechanics to risk removing the bolts. Yes, the car is available for inspection. This dealership endangered my life, the lives of my loved ones and other drivers on the road with us by allowing us to drive a car with a damaged frame with could have caused a major accident. I took the car to my mechanic and the dealership's mechanic of choice and both said the car is unsafe to drive. The car was inspected by the Peachtree Mitsubishi Service Center and for whatever their reason may be, they told us the car was in great condition. After driving the car for a couple of weeks, we noticed the fumes and a knocking noise under the car. Also, the check engine light was on and the Peachtree Mitsubishi Service Center said it was the tire pressure. Despite my attempts to resolve this matter with the dealership directly, they have refused to take responsibility for their actions. I believe their practices violate consumer protection laws and pose a significant risk to public safety.
NHTSA complaint #11653563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The issue with the car involves a problem with the steering gear box. The grease between the rack and support yoke seat has thinned, leading to increased friction during steering. This causes the support yoke to drag along with the motion of the rack, resulting in contact with the rack housing. As a result, a clunk sound and vibration are felt when turning the steering wheel, especially after the car has been stationary for a while. This issue is causing a loss of power and control while driving, making the vehicle unsafe. The recommended fix involves replacing the steering gear box assembly and recalibrating the steering system. The service report ID is: TSB-24-37-001
NHTSA complaint #11609859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I took this car 2 times to the dealership about the same issue the steering wheel it has a lose parts inside keep giving a weird noise and the second issue the gas smell inside the cabin if you stop the vehicle on hot day and the ac running they are a very bad gas smell coming inside the cabin throw the ac vents i looked on this issue online alot of people have this issue dealership said can't smell nothing they don't want to put the work in to this issue i need help please even last night we smelled it its very bad alot they said On line other people that the gas tank vents on hot day the vent out the gas and its get in to the ac thats why we smell it but when you are driving you dont smell nothing but if you stop and keep the car running come back it will be inside the cabin full of gas smell coming from the vents i have a disabled son i can't keep going throw this issue and some people said that mitsubishi know about it and they are working on it to fix i can't breath no more gas
NHTSA complaint #11607670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the suspension. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was uncontrollable while driving. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel to the right, the front wheels shifted in the opposite direction. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled to be taken to the dealer within the next several days. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8.
NHTSA complaint #11592649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After this car sits for at least 10 minutes, upon first turn of the steering wheel, a “popping” is felt in the steering wheel, and a “clunk” noise is heard while turning the steering wheel to either the left or the right. A strut issue was advised for the 2022 outlander as a tech bulletin. However nothing as of yet for model year 2023.
NHTSA complaint #11589819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle drove over a rock or a manhole cover, the rear end of the vehicle was fishtailed, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. Additionally, during rainy weather, the vehicle would hydroplane. The vehicle was taken to a dealer several times however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11588082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rack and pinion broke in half. Several people on forums complain about this problem. Had it happened on the highway it would have caused a serious accident. Thank goodness it happened backing out of my driveway.
NHTSA complaint #11569004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was unstable and drifting to the left and right. The contact stated that the failure was more evident at faster speeds and during inclement weather. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
NHTSA complaint #11566899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The direction of the car where the wheel is when I turn it on sounds like a (crack)when I stop and start it sounds too, I called the Dealer and they know the problem but Mitsubishi still does not have a solution, they told me that they are investigating and they are not doing anything nothing to correct the problem. The technician told me that he would call in 3 months in case there is any recall.
NHTSA complaint #11554370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clonking sound was coming from the vehicle while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that the sound was heard while steering to the right while in drive. Additionally, the sound was heard while steering to the left with the vehicle in reverse. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and diagnosed; however, the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11530949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving speed limit, on a sunny day, when my car began to veer to the left. I eased back into the right lane and suddenly the car made a quick jerk to the left; then, another to the right. I slid on the bank and missed the ditch before becoming airborne and landing in a corn field. I was able to drive to a safe location when the traction control light appeared on the dashboard.
NHTSA complaint #11516984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 has a foul odor after the change of the filters. And that it smells like stagnant water or mildew and again I was told the same thing that it is common. Why would I want to ever purchase another Mitsubishi if they are saying all this is common among their brand. Seems to me the unit collecting the fluid that then gets drained from the unit when sitting still is just collecting and going stagnant and causing the smell. I have a warranty on the vehicle however everything is a normal thing people have going on with their vehicle. Seems they don't want to put in the work until say the warranty is expired. A warranty they offer along with the extended warranty to cover bumper to bumper items I purchased. Ac problem is what it is it's not a safety concern but the thump in the tire after reversing seems like it should be a recall of something to do with the suspension and I don't think it has been investigated as it should. Who is to say I'm on the interstate driving and get in an accident that not only effects myself but others.
NHTSA complaint #11510018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have been having problems with the wheel turning towards the left. Once I went to Firestone and got tires I was told the my suspension is very loose. It is getting more hard to control the steering.
NHTSA complaint #11498117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 15-20 MPH on a steep incline, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and felt firm. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact's wife engaged the electronic parking brake but the vehicle continued rolling onto a two-lane highway. The contact's wife turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact's wife then veered to the side of the road. The contact 's wife was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance chime would engage and the message "Crash Detection" would display erroneously while driving. The contact also stated that the hood of the vehicle would slightly open while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
NHTSA complaint #11483051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My outlander is not 1 year old yet, I have 3 thousand miles on my dash, and I hear noises in the steering wheel, in the dash, in the passenger seat, in the back seats, I hear air coming in the window behind the driver It's very sad for a new car.
NHTSA complaint #11480286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.