Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Owners filed 32 complaints about the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA between Jun 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (12).

Complaints
32
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system12
  2. Forward collision avoidance7
  3. Air bags4
  4. Exterior lighting2
  5. Structure2
  6. Engine2
  7. Lane departure2
  8. Service brakes2
  9. Seats2
  10. Latches/locks/linkages1
  11. Wheels1
  12. Steering1
  13. Suspension1
  14. Power train1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20201
20216
20221
20232
20247
20257
20268

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

12 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Mitigation warning light illuminated, causing the vehicle to independently brake. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V620000 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that there was continuous chime during the failure and the vehicle accelerated or decelerated unexpectedly. The dealer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the front collision mitigation camera needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 134,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11772657

Forward collision avoidance

7 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11740553

Air bags

4 reports3 crashes
“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 ,CT scan and an MRI. The contact was treated for pain and stiffness to the left side of the back, neck, elbow, and shoulder. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to two separate independent mechanics; however, the contact was unaware if the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11565755

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11754050

Structure

2 reports2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2026StructureODI 11709853

Engine

2 reports
“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 dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 179,407.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2025Exterior lighting, Engine, Lane departureODI 11687943
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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