2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander logs 46 NHTSA complaints, 13 recall campaigns, and a Complaint Index of 58, ranking 9th worst out of 20 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Suspension, wheels and tires make up the top problem area at 20% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 58/100
- #9 of 20 Outlander years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 46
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (20%)
- Electrical System8 (17%)
- Engine8 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (13%)
- Other5 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (11%)
- Brakes4 (9%)
- Airbags3 (7%)
- Seat Belts3 (7%)
- Steering3 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sunroof glass cracking or shattering without warning, in one case at 3,265 miles and in another around 47,000 miles while driving 60 mph.
- Some drivers describe the transmission shifting abnormally at low speed and the vehicle slowing down without the brake pedal being pressed.
- Tire pressure monitoring valve stems reportedly corrode and fracture, causing tires to lose air, sometimes requiring repeated sensor replacement.
- Several owners involved in side or front-end collisions report the airbags failed to deploy, including crashes tied to the Takata airbag recall.
- One owner reported the brakes failed to engage at 45 mph, leading to a collision with another vehicle.
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V279000May 18, 2020Structure & Body141,200 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V071000Jan 26, 2018Visibility & Wipers56,641 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V069000Jan 26, 2018Engine141,053 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, 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-18-001.
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Outlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 46 complaints and 13 recall campaigns for the 2009 Outlander, with a Complaint Index of 58, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Outlander model years.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2009 Outlander?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 9 complaints, or 20% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 76,475.
- Does the 2009 Outlander have airbag recall issues?
- NHTSA lists 3 airbag-related complaints tied to crashes for this year, consistent with the Takata airbag recall that affected many vehicles from this era.
- How does the 2009 Outlander compare to other years?
- It ranks 9th worst out of 20 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 58, better than 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which all carry Avoid verdicts, but worse than years like 2012 and 2015, which are rated Best or Good.
- What recalls affect the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this year, covering areas including Structure & Body, Visibility & Wipers, Engine, Suspension, Electrical System, and HVAC.