YearToAvoid

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander has a complaint index of 42 with 60 complaints and 10 recall campaigns, ranking 12th worst of 20 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, capped by its 10 recalls despite a moderate complaint level.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
42/100
#12 of 20 Outlander years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
60
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
10
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2012
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21.5
20 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine21 (35%)
  2. Electrical System7 (12%)
  3. Other7 (12%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (12%)
  5. Brakes6 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain6 (10%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers6 (10%)
  8. Airbags5 (8%)
  9. Structure & Body4 (7%)
  10. Fuel System1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in front-end and stop-light collisions, including one crash at over 60 mph.
  • Owners describe severe whole-car vibration at highway speeds during snowy conditions, with no visible cause found on the wheels.
  • A third-row seat anchor broke at low mileage and was denied warranty coverage by the dealer.
  • Headlights reportedly dim when the A/C compressor cycles on, a problem that persisted after battery replacement.
  • Interior lights, gauges, and the radio have flashed or shut off intermittently, and door fobs sometimes failed to unlock the doors.
  • Tire pressure monitoring sensors reportedly detached and fell into the tire, causing air loss.
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander complaints: complaints filed per month9Dec 2010Feb 2014Jan 2015Jan 2017Aug 2017Feb 2019Aug 2021
60 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2010 to Jun 2024; peak Nov 2014 (9).

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 10 recalls for the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander →

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,375
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.

2010 compared with other Outlander years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Caution16581221
2009Caution58461321
2010Caution42601021.5
2011Caution2158823
2012Best522623

All Mitsubishi Outlander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
NHTSA lists 60 complaints and a complaint index of 42 for the 2010 Outlander, ranking 12th worst among 20 model years of the Outlander. It carries a Caution verdict.
Why is the 2010 Outlander rated Caution instead of a lower complaint index score?
Its verdict is capped to Caution because it has 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index of 42 alone would not necessarily put it there.
What are the most common problems on the 2010 Outlander?
Engine issues account for 35% of complaints (21 of 60), the largest share, followed by electrical system and suspension/wheels/tires problems, each at 12%.
Does the 2010 Outlander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 Outlander, covering areas including structure/body corrosion, sunroof glass detachment, engine belt tensioners, and wiper motor water intrusion.
What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2010 Outlander?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 111,668 miles at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2010 Outlander.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.