The 2007 Outlander is a budget-friendly crossover with serious reliability concerns, particularly catastrophic engine failures on the 2.4L I4 and transfer case issues on AWD models that can leave you stranded.
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), metallic knocking from engine block, white/blue smoke from exhaust, sudden loss of power, check engine light with misfire codes
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or replacement required — pistons, rings, bearings, often head gaskets. We're talking 18-25 labor hours for rebuild, 12-16 hours for used engine swap. Root cause is inadequate piston ring tension and oil control design flaw.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
Transfer Case Failure (AWD Models)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: grinding or whining noise from center of vehicle, binding sensation in tight turns, AWD warning light illuminated, complete loss of AWD or vehicle won't move
Fix: Transfer case replacement or rebuild. Internal gears strip or bearings seize, often from lack of fluid changes (many owners don't know it needs service). 6-9 hours labor, used units hard to find.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (CVT Models)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid leaking near radiator, transmission overheating warning, harsh shifting or slipping, transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake appearance)
Fix: Replace external CVT oil cooler and flush both transmission and cooling system if cross-contamination occurred. If caught early, 3-4 hours labor. If contaminated, CVT rebuild adds $3,000+.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Brake Light Switch Failure
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: brake lights stay on constantly, brake lights don't work at all, can't shift out of park, cruise control won't engage
Fix: Replace brake light switch above brake pedal. Simple fix but affects safety and drivability. 0.5 hours labor, cheap part. Subject to recall but many not repaired.
Estimated cost: $80-150
Power Steering Hose Leaks
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: power steering fluid puddles under vehicle, whining noise from pump, heavy steering at low speeds, burning smell from fluid on hot exhaust
Fix: High-pressure hose fails at crimped fittings. Replace hose and flush system. 1.5-2 hours labor. Recall issued but check if yours was completed.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Windshield Wiper Linkage/Motor Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: wipers move slowly or erratically, wipers park in wrong position, one wiper works, other doesn't, wiper motor noise but no blade movement
Fix: Linkage bushings wear out or motor fails. Replace linkage assembly and/or motor. 2-3 hours labor including cowl removal. Recall exists for some VINs.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Lower Control Arm Bushing Deterioration
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking over bumps, steering wander or pulling, uneven tire wear, vibration at highway speeds
Fix: Front lower control arm bushings fail prematurely. Replace control arms or press in new bushings. 2-3 hours per side plus alignment. Recall issued for some production dates.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Owner tips
Check oil level religiously on 2.4L engines — top off every 500-1,000 miles if consumption starts
Change transfer case fluid every 30,000 miles on AWD models (not in manual but critical)
Inspect CVT oil cooler lines at every service — catching leaks early prevents $4,000+ CVT replacement
Verify all recalls completed before purchase, especially brake switch and transfer case updates
Hard pass unless under $3,000 and you budget for engine replacement — the 2.4L engine failures alone make this generation a money pit.
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 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Consequence: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 14V564000
2014-09-12
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Outlander vehicles manufactured December 15, 2006, to October 31, 2007, and April 16, 2008, to August 22, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction causing the brake lights to not illuminate during brake application.
Consequence: Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began in mid-October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-010. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 08V-680 and does not include any vehicles that were previously recalled.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) · 14V365000
2014-06-25
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2009 Outlander vehicles. During servicing, the affected vehicles were repaired with replacement transfer case assemblies whose oil seal may come out of position.
Consequence: If the oil seal dislodges, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) may enter the transfer case assembly, reducing the ATF pressure in the transmission, resulting in poor transmission shifting or the inability of the vehicle to be driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-005.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 08V680000
2008-12-19
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 21,493 MY 2007-2008 OUTLANDER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LED TYPE STOP LAMPS AND DISTRIBUTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE THE STOP LAMPS TO NOT ILLUMINATE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
Consequence: THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WILL NOT PROVIDE WARNING TO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
SEATS · 08V094000
2008-02-28
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 5,400 MY 2007-2008 OUTLANDER PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF 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. FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT AN ELECTRIC POWER SEAT, THE FLOOR HARNESS CONNECTOR FOR THE POWER SEAT IS PLACED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOORBOARD UNDERNEATH THE CARPETING (VEHICLES WITH POWER SEATS ALREADY HAVE THE HARNESS ELEVATED). IF A VEHICLE OCCUPANT ENTERS THE VEHICLE WITH A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF SNOW ON THEIR FEET CONTAINING ROAD SALT, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE MELTED SNOW MIXTURE TO SOAK THE CARPET AND ALLOW THE SALT-WATER SOLUTION TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE UNUSED POWER SEAT HARNESS CONNECTOR.
Consequence: THE CONNECTOR TERMINAL MAY CORRODE AND ALLOW CURRENT TO FLOW, RESULTING IN THE GRADUAL HEATING AND MELTING OF THE CONNECTOR AND MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE FLOOR HARNESS FROM BENEATH BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS TO ABOVE THE CARPET AND AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOORBOARD TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH ANY FUTURE MELT SOLUTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
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