Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 68 owner complaints for the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve electrical system (15) and air bags (14). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
68
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

StructureReported May 18, 2020NHTSA 20V279000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.

VisibilityReported Jul 20, 2017NHTSA 17V461000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected vehicles, water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

VisibilityReported Oct 31, 2016NHTSA 16V791000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

68 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2013 – Aug 2025
  1. Electrical system15
  2. Air bags14
  3. Engine9
  4. Visibility/wiper8
  5. Power train7
  6. Service brakes6
  7. Structure5
  8. Suspension4
  9. Steering4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Outlander model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003129
200452
200519
200621
2007125
200858
200946
201060
201188
201236
201368
201445
2015238
2016171
201751
201857
201929
202032
2022219
202350
202426
202516
20263
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

15 reports
“My vehicle shut off on a state route when I had the vehicle towed to the dealership I was informed it was the ecu. I found out a year after my vehicle was purchased, there was a technical service bulletin out in this part. I am not sure why there was not a recall sent when they knew this part could be defective and my life was put at risk by it shutting off on the highway. How is a vehicle safe when it just shuts off. This should have been a recall and not a bulletin. Please reconsider making this a recall. I would hate to see people lose their lives because of this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2025Electrical systemODI 11683495

Air bags

14 reports5 crashes
“AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED message appears on dash. Occurred on 09/20/2018 and again on 09/29/2023. Both times required service to fix. Has now happened again on 10/14/2024. Secondary issue was reported by another driver for same vehicle for NHTSA ID Number: 11339357 and NHTSA ID Number: 11567379”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2024Air bagsODI 11619740

Engine

9 reports1 crash
“In 2020 I got a recall for engine support from Mitsubishi. We took it in and told me that the support was find that I didn’t need to be replace even tho the recall called for it. They ended up putting rust paint on the support. 4 weeks ago that part broke on my wife when she was driving down the road. The steering wheel was taken out of my wife’s hand while driving. She was able to get the off the road safely. But sprained her wrist. When I found the broken part on the car. I call Mitsubishi themself. When I reported these issue, I was told that someone would be coming to my house to look at the car. I signed a form for them to do that. And for the to read the computer on my car. That was 4 weeks ago. I have emailed them and called them. And no one knows what I’m talking about our replying to my email. And on top of it all we are missing work, at least one day a week because of this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2024Steering, Suspension, EngineCrash reportedODI 11580181
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outlander 2WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222825$2,500361
Outlander 4WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
222724$2,600374
Outlander 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$3,500409
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192421$3,700423
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 27 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Overall
4 / 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7200Vehicle 7199
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (15), air bags (14), engine (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026