The 2015 Outlander is a budget-friendly crossover with significant CVT reliability concerns and catastrophic engine failure risks on the 2.4L I4. The 3.0L V6 is more reliable but harder to find used.
CVT Transmission Failure (2.4L models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially from stops, Whining or grinding noises from transmission, Sudden loss of power or inability to accelerate, Check engine light with P0841 or P1778 codes
Fix: CVT replacement or rebuild required. Mitsubishi extended warranty to 10yr/100k on some units, but many fail just outside coverage. Fluid changes every 30k can delay but not prevent failure. 8-12 hours labor for replacement.
Symptoms: Severe knocking or rattling from engine block, Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000 miles or worse), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Complete loss of oil pressure leading to seizure
Fix: Piston ring failure leads to bearing damage and requires short block replacement or full rebuild. Often metal contamination throughout means complete engine replacement is safer. 18-24 hours labor for engine swap.
Estimated cost: $5,500-9,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Red fluid puddles under vehicle near front driver side, Transmission overheating warnings on dash, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Low fluid levels on dipstick check
Fix: Rubber lines crack and steel lines corrode where they connect to radiator. Replace both cooler lines and flush system. 2-3 hours labor. Critical to address before CVT overheats and fails.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Liftgate Strut Failure and Latch Problems
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Liftgate falls rapidly or won't stay open, Liftgate won't latch closed properly, Power liftgate operates intermittently or not at all, Rattling from rear when driving over bumps
Fix: Struts wear out and latch mechanisms bind or break. Struts are straightforward replacement (1 hour), latch issues may need actuator and striker adjustment (2-3 hours).
Estimated cost: $250-600
Starter Relay and Starting System Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: No crank condition with good battery, Clicking noise from under hood when attempting to start, Intermittent starting problems in hot or cold weather, Dashboard lights work but engine won't turn over
Fix: Relay in ETACS module fails or starter contacts wear. Recall 16V-734 addressed some units but not all. Relay replacement 1 hour, starter replacement 2-3 hours depending on access.
Estimated cost: $300-900
Engine Mount and Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle or during acceleration, Clunking when shifting from park to drive, Engine rocks visibly when revving, Harsh engagement into gear
Fix: Hydraulic mounts leak and rubber mounts separate. Front engine mount and transmission mount most common. Replace as a pair for best results. 2-4 hours labor depending on which mounts.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Fuel Filter Clogging (2.4L models)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting or extended cranking, Loss of power under load or acceleration, Engine stalling or stumbling, Check engine light with lean codes
Fix: In-tank fuel filter clogs prematurely on some units. Requires fuel pump module removal. Often discovered during diagnosis of rough running. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Owner tips
Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles with Mitsubishi Diaqueen fluid only - this may extend CVT life but won't prevent eventual failure
Check oil consumption every fill-up on 2.4L engines; catch bearing wear before catastrophic failure
Avoid 2.4L models if possible; seek out 3.0L V6 or consider the plug-in hybrid if you need this platform
Hard pass on used 2.4L models due to CVT and engine failure risks; 3.0L V6 is acceptable if priced accordingly and shows good maintenance history.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.
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.
Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002
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.
Consequence: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.
PARKING BRAKE · 18V070000
2018-01-26
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.
Consequence: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-002.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.
Consequence: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.
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