Most common 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of the 46 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Outlander complaints by model year
Best Outlander years: 2012, 2013, 2019. Years to avoid: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls (13)
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,…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
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…
Show 7 more recalls
Electrical system
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and…
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Fan/motor
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011,…
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Outlander vehicles manufactured December 15, 2006, to October 31, 2007, and April 16, 2008, to August 22, 2009.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began in mid-October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2009 Outlander vehicles. During servicing, the affected vehicles were repaired with replacement transfer case assemblies whose oil seal may come out of position.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014.
Service brakes, air › Supply › Check valve
Mitsubishi is recalling 39,711 my 2008-2009 outlander and lacer vehicles. Incorrect material composition of the brake booster check valve May cause the check valve to stick closed when the engine is shut off.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake booster check valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during April 2009. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
What 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander (n/a). The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. ## VIN passed ## Mitsubishi Outlander 2009 ##
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received recall notifications for the engine and visibility; however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The NHTSA campaign numbers were unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
As I was driving my brand new car I just got 2 months ago(Mitsubishi Outlander 2009) on the n.j. Parkway all of a sudden I heard a crack from my sunroof and then suddenly the glass just exploded into many pieces. Thank god! I had the cover closed that prevented me from getting shattered glass in my face or getting into an accident with another vehicle . Mind you nothing at all hit my car nor were their any cars beside me. As I kept on driving to my nearest exit I saw remaining glass pieces flying off my sunroof everywhere. When I came to a stop light I opened the cover slightly and saw there was a whole there as well as glass sitting ontop. So the next day I take the car to the dealers they tell me it's out of their hands and that I have to go through manufacturer. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V791000 (visibility). The part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called a local dealer who stated that the recall remedy part was on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. ..updated 06/27/17 updated 10/13/2017
Lights
I was driving on the highway at 70 MPH and without warning both of my low beam lights went out. I checked fuses and the next time I used the car the lights worked. My wife used the car one night and was driving on a dark country road and the lights once again went out without warning. She was very upset and returned home immediately. Luckily she was not too far from home. I found a recall for the 2009 Outlander that sounded just like of my problem (sr-15-002; etacs ECU). I called Mitsubishi and they said there was no recall on my vehicle and that I should take it to the dealer. I took it to the dealer and they verified the problem was the etacs ECU. They said my car was made 4 months outside the recall window but they contacted Mitsubishi to see if they would authorize the repair. Mitsubishi declined to authorize the repair. …
Low beam headlights completely failed due to defective etacs ECU. The vehicle was on a highway at night. The vehicle was taken to the Mitsubishi dealer and the defect was confirmed. Mitsubishi was contacted but they will do nothing without NHTSA involvement. In addition, the blower failed due to the etacs ECU so the defroster does not work to keep the windshield clear.
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander a good car?
Based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Outlander rates average: 23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Outlander at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (6) and lights (5).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
There are 13 recalls for the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander, the most recent from May 18, 2020 (frame and members). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Outlander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024 and 2025. See the full Mitsubishi Outlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.