2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
57/100
#7 most-complained of 15 Outlander years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander has a Complaint Index of 57 and ranks 7th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 31 complaints, 3 recalls, and 7 injuries, with Electrical System issues the top problem area at 42% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 31
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 24.5 city / 28 hwy
Top 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System13 (42%)
- Other8 (26%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (19%)
- Structure & Body5 (16%)
- Airbags4 (13%)
- Brakes2 (6%)
- Engine2 (6%)
- Lane Departure2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Steering1 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and intersection crashes, resulting in injuries despite significant impact forces.
- Forward collision warning activates with no vehicle ahead and the car begins braking on its own.
- The touchscreen infotainment display becomes insensitive to touch and eventually stops responding altogether.
- Owners report the transmission knocking and bucking at highway speed with the service transmission light illuminating.
- The second-row seat structure was reported to rock, raising concerns about child seat stability.
- Brakes were reported to give out unexpectedly, contributing to a crash.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
3 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 20V280000May 18, 2020Seat Belts3,241 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Outlander and 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The seat belt for the right side second-row seat may have been assembled incorrectly.
Risk: An incorrectly assembled seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right side second-row seat belt and replace it as necessary, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-002.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,550
- 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.
2020 compared with other Outlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Outlander a Complaint Index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 15 model years of the Outlander. It is not among the worst years but trails several stronger ones like 2012 and 2019.
- What is the top problem area for the 2020 Outlander?
- Electrical System complaints make up 42% of all reported issues, most often involving the touchscreen and infotainment display, with a median failure mileage of 105,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Outlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Outlander, covering liftgate gas spring corrosion and an incorrectly assembled second-row right seat belt.
- How does the 2020 Outlander compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 57, the 2020 model sits in the middle of the pack, better than 2016, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which are all rated Avoid, but worse than 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019, rated Good or Best.
- Are there safety concerns with the 2020 Outlander's airbags?
- NHTSA logs 4 airbag complaints for the 2020 Outlander tied to 3 crashes, including reports of airbags failing to deploy in collisions, with a median failure mileage of 17,503 miles.