Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2015 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 238 owner complaints for the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve power train (143) and engine (48). The EPA rates it 23–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2026
Owner complaints
238
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

StructureReported Apr 21, 2026NHTSA 26V252000

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

StructureReported Aug 8, 2025NHTSA 25V507000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.

Seat beltsReported Jul 13, 2020NHTSA 20V403000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

238 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2014 – Nov 2026
  1. Power train143
  2. Engine48
  3. Vehicle speed control31
  4. Electrical system25
  5. Fuel/propulsion system18
  6. Service brakes15
  7. Air bags10
  8. Visibility/wiper9
  9. Suspension7

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
7
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
5
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

Power train

143 reports1 crash1 fire
“Ive had the car for about a year, the problem I've been noticing is a hesitation when pulling up to a redlight and it changes to green before you come to a stop, and when you press the gas pedal down right there when your rpms go up my car is like missing a beat if that makes sense, also it does it when hard acceleration from a complete stop as well, seems like it might stall out at redlights. I ran a diagnostic test and fault p1609 is popping”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11775323

Engine

48 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Engine and yes available for inspection. I had been driving then all of a sudden the Service Engine Immediately light started rapidly flashing and the car would hardly go. Turned around parked at home, towed to dealership where they said the engine compressor was not working and I would need a rebuilt engine for over $5000. Towed it back home and now looking for a new car. There were no warning lights or any other symptoms prior to this happening. It was an all of a sudden warning. If I had been on the freeway, my safety would have been at risk as it just died without warning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2025EngineCrash reportedODI 11696348

Vehicle speed control

31 reports1 crash
“Purchased used car in July 2024 and was able to drive it maybe 2 months and the transmission would not shift and would come to a complete stop. Not a safe feeling driving in 3 lanes of traffic on a busy highway at rush hour. Transmission light on and took to mechanic and was told this make and model is notorious for transmission failure and it needs replacing. The odometer is 86316 and car has been sitting now for two years. Of course we went exactly 100 miles over the warranty and now have to pay 5000-9000 dollars for a replacement with no guarantee warranty. So now we have the car paid off and can’t drive it because it’s out of budget to replace. Thanks a lot Mitsubishi for nothing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11747268
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 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
253027$2,300328
Outlander 4WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
242926$2,400343
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350383
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    24 city · 29 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    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
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9718Vehicle 9717
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

2015 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2015 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 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 238 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (143), engine (48), vehicle speed control (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026