YearToAvoid

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

43/100

#9 most-complained of 15 Outlander years

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander ranks 9th worst out of 15 model years, with a complaint index of 43 and a 'Good' verdict relative to other Outlander years. NHTSA lists 26 complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 crashes for this year, led by visibility/wiper issues.

Complaints
26
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
20.5 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers6 (23%)
  2. Electrical System5 (19%)
  3. Engine5 (19%)
  4. Other4 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain4 (15%)
  6. Airbags3 (12%)
  7. Brakes2 (8%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (4%)
  9. Steering1 (4%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in frontal collisions, including a deer strike and a truck impact, leading to injuries despite significant vehicle damage.
  • Water condensation formed inside the driver-side headlight shortly after purchase, clouding visibility, with dealers unable to resolve it.
  • The steering wheel caught loose clothing on the paddle shifter during a turn, pulling the driver's arm and causing the vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic.
  • Oil leaked from underneath the motor and transmission area, traced to a CVT filter issue, with leaking recurring after the first repair.
  • The third-row seat's fabric and frame broke down, leaving only exposed metal support and a seat that would not latch when folded.
  • The engine stalled without warning while driving at 25 mph, with no dealer visit or repair recorded afterward.
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2013Sep 2013Mar 2017Aug 2017Apr 2018Aug 2020Dec 2023
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2013 to Aug 2025; peak Sep 2014 (3).

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls

5 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 17V461000Jul 20, 2017Visibility & Wipers100,082 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 16V791000Oct 31, 2016Visibility & Wipers100,082 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander →

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,175
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.

2013 compared with other Outlander years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Best1458823
2012Best022623
2013Good4326523
2014Caution6445426
2015Best2152526

All Mitsubishi Outlander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable based on NHTSA data?
NHTSA data shows 26 complaints and a complaint index of 43 for the 2013 Outlander, ranking it 9th worst of 15 model years. Compared to other Outlander years, it carries a 'Good' verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, accounting for 6 of 26 complaints (23%), followed by Electrical System and Engine issues, each with 5 complaints (19%).
Does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Outlander, covering structure/body corrosion, wiper motor water intrusion, ball joint water intrusion, suspension corrosion, and a steering pressure tube issue on 6-speed automatic models.
How does the 2013 Outlander compare to the 2016 Outlander?
The 2013 Outlander has a complaint index of 43 versus 93 for the 2016 model, which carries an 'Avoid' verdict with 145 complaints, making 2013 the more favorable year.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The 2013 Outlander gets an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined (20.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,175.

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.