Problems · NHTSA complaints
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Owners filed 16 complaints about the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA between Jul 2025 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (3).
Complaints
16
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Forward collision avoidance3
- Electrical system3
- Seat belts2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Power train1
- Tires1
- Back over prevention1
- Steering1
- Air bags1
- Engine1
- Service brakes1
- Other / unknown2
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 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
10
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 10 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Fuel/propulsion system
3 reports
“Strong Coolant smell outside the vehicle while driving or idling, starting in Jan 2026. Strong fuel vapors smell inside and outside cabin noticed in Mar 2026. The strong fuel smell inside the cabin is causing passengers to have physical symptoms including headaches, sore throat, sinus irritation, and burning eyes. Clothing and hair is saturated with fuel smell after being in the car, even after short trips. It is significantly worse when temps are high. The coolant smell outside the car is very strong while driving and after driving. Neighbors and friends have witnessed both these smells on multiple occasions over the last 7mths. The dealer admits they smell the vapors and insists it is within normal limits. Two sales people at the dealer admitted to us it was a bigger problem and others had complained too. This takes it from a lemon to a recall but they are refusing to work with us further. It been in the dealer service twice for over 3wks for this, and we are told they have exhausted their options and will not accept it for these issues again.”
Forward collision avoidance
3 reports1 crash
“When driving with the adaptive cruise control on, the cruise will shut off without notice at random times. The forward collision warning light then comes on. After driving for some time the light will go out and the adaptive cruise will work again. This repeats many times on a trip randomly. This also leaves the vehicle without forward collision protection and automatic emergency braking. This is very dangerous at highway speed when you lose power driving with traffic. When reported to the dealer, they said it was a known issue without a solution and to not use the adaptive cruise and drive carefully without the forward collision protection active. This has been an issue since the car was new in November of 2024.”
Electrical system
3 reports1 crash
“I rented this vehicle from Alamo/Enterprise at Denver Airport on 9/7/2025, and that day, while enroute to Casper WY hit a large deer on I-24 N in Wyoming where the posted speed limit is 80 mph, which was exactly the speed I was travelling. The deer was struck by the drivers side front of vehicle, causing extensive damage , loss of headlight and many small parts and electronic sensors as there were a number of dangling wires. The deer was killed instantly. My safety concern is that the air bags failed to deploy, which was surprising given the speed and over $17,000 damage estimate from: Enterprise, case # 23039354, contact person [XXX] can be reached at [XXX] at extension [XXX] . The car was drivable, after tying down all of the loose parts and wires and front grill. I feel that hitting a large deer at 80 mph should have set off air bags, but I could be wrong, since the radiator did not leak and the vehicle remained drivable- but I thought it was worth alerting you and being put in your data To see if other Mitsubishi Outlanders from 2025 have same problem.”
Seat belts
2 reports
“1. Driver side seat belt is not retracting as it should. 2. Causing a slower exit when getting out of the vehicle. 3. A compliant has been made to Glassman Southfield MI. Mitsubishi service department not only for the driver side seat belt but the passenger seat belt as well. 4. Just by Glassman Southfield MI. Mitsubishi service department. 5. No”
Vehicle speed control
2 reports1 crash
“I had the car for less than a month. It had about 850 miles on it. I was driving on a flat service going between 25-30 mph. I was NOT using the Adaptive Cruise Control. Without any warning, the car suddenly accelerated and I immediately felt like I had no control. I do not know how fast the car was going at that point. I tried to brake - I was practically standing on the brake pedal. It all happened very quickly but knew that I had no control over the car. The Forward Collision Warning system did not activate and I hit the car in front of me, which in turn, hit the car in front of her. The airbags on the driver's side deployed. The car was deemed a total loss by the insurance adjuster. I informed the dealer. It is also mentioned in the police report.”
Power train
1 report
“My 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has experienced recurring, severe powertrain failures causing a dangerous 'PHEV System Fault / Power Reduced' limp mode at highway speeds, dropping instantly from 60+ MPH to severely restricted speeds. This creates an immediate risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. The vehicle is currently fully dismantled at Jidd Motors Mitsubishi while technicians execute an extensive internal mechanical teardown of the engine's valve cover and cylinder valvetrain assembly to look for top-end structural damage. The vehicle has been non-functional and out of service for 38 days with no fix in site and at this point no communication from Mitsubishi.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.