The 2013 Outlander is a transitional-year crossover with serious powertrain reliability concerns, particularly catastrophic engine failures on the 2.4L I4 and CVT oil cooler failures that destroy transmissions if not caught early.
2.4L I4 Catastrophic Engine Failure (Piston Ring / Bore Scoring)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Rough idle and misfires, Check engine light with P0300-series misfire codes, Sudden loss of compression and total failure
Fix: Requires complete engine replacement or full rebuild with new pistons, rings, and cylinder bore work. 18-24 labor hours for short block swap, 25-35 hours for complete rebuild. Many techs recommend replacement over rebuild due to cylinder wall damage.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from radiator area, Coolant in transmission (strawberry milkshake fluid), Erratic shifting or CVT slipping, Overheating transmission, Complete transmission failure if contamination occurs
Fix: External cooler line or internal radiator-integrated cooler fails, causing cross-contamination. If caught before mixing, replace cooler and flush (4-6 hours). If contaminated, full CVT replacement required (10-14 hours). This is a known Mitsubishi weak point.
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps, Wandering steering or pull, Uneven tire wear on inside edge, Vibration during braking, Failed state inspection for excessive play
Fix: Factory bushings deteriorate prematurely. Control arms typically replaced as assemblies rather than pressing bushings (not available separately from Mitsubishi). 2.5-3.5 hours for both sides including alignment.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Windshield Wiper Linkage Corrosion/Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Wipers move slowly or stick mid-cycle, Wipers park in wrong position, Clicking or grinding noise from cowl area, One wiper moves while other is stuck, Complete wiper failure in rain
Fix: Linkage ball joints corrode and seize, especially in salt-belt states. Requires full wiper linkage assembly and sometimes motor. Subject to recall but many units corrode after recall period. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle in Drive, Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive, Visible engine rocking when accelerating, Increased NVH (noise/vibration/harshness)
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount collapses internally. Common wear item on this platform but exacerbated by CVT operation. Straightforward replacement, 1.5-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Power Steering Hose Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering fluid puddles under vehicle, Groaning noise when turning at low speed, Intermittent heavy steering, Low fluid warning (if equipped), Burning smell from fluid on hot exhaust
Fix: High-pressure hose or return line develops leaks at crimp points. Subject to recall but age-related failures continue. Hose replacement 1.5-2 hours; system flush and bleed adds another 0.5 hours.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Fuel Filter/Pump Clogging (3.0L V6)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Loss of power under load, Sputtering at highway speeds, Check engine light with lean codes (P0171/P0174), Stalling after refueling
Fix: In-tank fuel pump filter screens clog with sediment, especially if poor fuel quality history. Requires fuel pump module removal. 2.5-3 hours including tank drop on AWD models.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles on 2.4L models—excessive consumption is early warning of engine failure
Inspect transmission cooler lines and radiator for leaks every oil change; cross-contamination kills the CVT instantly
Insist on CVT fluid changes every 30,000 miles despite Mitsubishi's 'lifetime' claim—this extends transmission life significantly
Budget for control arm replacement as routine maintenance around 60k miles
Avoid 2.4L I4 models entirely if shopping used—the 3.0L V6 is substantially more reliable
Hard pass on 2.4L models due to epidemic engine failures; 3.0L V6 versions are tolerable if CVT has documented fluid service history and you can verify no oil consumption issues, but better alternatives exist in this segment.
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 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.
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
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.
Consequence: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.
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.
Consequence: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 16V458000
2016-06-23
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · 14V366000
2014-06-25
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid.
Consequence: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006.
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