2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
21/100
#12 most-complained of 15 Outlander years
NHTSA lists 52 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, with a complaint index of 21, ranking it 12th worst out of 15 model years tracked. It carries a "Best" verdict relative to other Outlander years, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 48% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 24 city / 29 hwy
Top 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (48%)
- Engine15 (29%)
- Electrical System7 (13%)
- Brakes6 (12%)
- Other6 (12%)
- Fuel System4 (8%)
- Airbags3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
What owners report
- Transmission shudders or stutters at low speed or while slowing down, with the effect worsening the longer the vehicle is driven.
- Some owners report the transmission dropping into a lower gear unexpectedly or the shift lever popping out of gear with light contact, sometimes requiring a restart to regain normal function.
- Engine-related reports describe shaking and loss of acceleration at speeds around 25 mph, in one case followed by multiple rear-end collisions.
- One owner reported a 'Transmission Failure Reduced Power' warning at 60 mph followed by smoke from the engine compartment at 200,000 miles.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a crash involving guardrail impacts, and a separate report describes brakes failing to engage despite brake lights appearing lit.
- Electronic steering was described as shifting or feeling uncontrolled when hitting bumps or dips in the road.
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V252000Apr 20, 2026Structure & Body108,046 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.
- NHTSA 25V507000Aug 7, 2025Structure & Body121,529 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002
- NHTSA 20V403000Jul 13, 2020Seat Belts177,000 vehicles
Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.
Risk: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 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.
2015 compared with other Outlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Outlander ranks 12th worst of 15 model years with a complaint index of 21, and it earns a "Best" verdict relative to other Outlander years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander?
- NHTSA data shows Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 48% of complaints, followed by Engine at 29% and Electrical System at 13%, with a median mileage at failure of 35,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2015 Outlander, covering liftgate gas spring corrosion, a second-row seat belt buckle interference issue, rear brake caliper corrosion, and defective electrical relays.
- How does the 2015 Outlander compare to other Outlander years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 21 is much lower than the 2016 model's 93 and the 2022 model's 100, both rated "Avoid," making 2015 one of the better years based on NHTSA complaint data.