Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a warning message displayed reading "Transmission Failure Reduced Power', prompting the contact to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After which the contact observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. By the time the contact and her family were able to exit the vehicle and move to a safe distance, the vehicle had become engulfed in flames that were originating from the engine compartment. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the fire. All warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but had yet to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was filed with no injuries reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and accelerated unintendedly. Additionally, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle after several activation and deactivation of the starter. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle and driving, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to three different independent mechanics and diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to inform the manufacturer of the failure but was unable to speak with a representative. The approximate failure mileage was 140,040.
While driving in the city limits around 35 miles an hour I had to stop abruptly to avoid a collision with a driver who didn't stop at the intersection. I had to come to a complete stop for this driver. When I took my foot off of the brake and tried to drive on my car would not move. I had to shift gears put it in park and try again. I could hear the engine responding but the car wouldn't move. When it did start to move forward slowly it was shaking very hard and I was only able to get 10 miles an hour. I had to be towed. And I kept thinking what if I was on the highway that day where the speed limit is 75mph.
It has hesitation when accelerating and stuttering while driving. its throwing a code PO868 for the transmission. It's a cvt transmission, and it feels like a transmission slip at times, or it takes off then hesitates then goes again. Other times it stutters. Its a risk because now our chances of being in a accident increases. Until it threw the code there were no issues then all the sudden there was the issue.
My 2015 Mitsubishi outlander transmission, cvt has gone out at 11700 thousand miles,, I was told there's no warranty nor recall , I was driving up hill it started jerking really hard , there was a car coming up behind me almost hitting me because of it lagging , please put a recall on these vehicles , be for someone dies because of the cvt failer.
I went to get my emissions check. I was informed that the rpms were not registering. After getting the car diagnosed I was informed that P1590 Mitsubishi Code - TCM To ECM Communication Error In Torque Reduction Request is the problem.
This happens almost all the time - when driving at city street speed of 25 MPH and under my car shakes so much and does not accelerate and feels like it is going to shut down. On 3 occasions I was rear ended because of this and one time was with a huge sanitation truck with my children inside the car. I have taken this car to the dealer and the Mitsubishi dealer to be looked at and help to no avail it still does it. I have reported this to Mitsubishi motors and was given a case number but to date no one has contacted me nor helped me. I am scared for the safety of my family and myself - it is a very scary situation and I just bought this car about a year ago. Help me because no one else does.
New vehicle purchased nov 16 2015. Two weeks after bought, vehicle began to slow down, then hesitate, stall out. The vehicle was put into shop due to a computer chip issue that occurred on 'the line.' got vehicle back and same problem. Mitsubishi put back in shop and replaced the transmission in dec 2015. Now same issue, stalling in lighted intersections, at stop signs, won't speed up, decelerates. Mitsubishi's answer? Put back in shop and going back in today, jan 12, 2016. Three times in less than three months I have had vehicle. I am afraid for my family member's safety while in the vehicle and my daughter in law who dries and rides in the vehicle is seven months pregnant. Please help us!! Do not want anyone using these vehicles to get injured as Mitsubishi is aware of line problem and repairing many of these 2015's with same issue with no recall and will not replace the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle shook and failed to accelerate. The transmission service and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to puente hill Mitsubishi (17665 castleton st, city of industry, ca 91748, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed service. The vehicle was taken back to puente hill Mitsubishi where it was diagnosed that the transmission and the CVT unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. No further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
We purchased our 2015 Outlander in feb 2017 with only 25,000 miles. It was manufactured in July 2015 with a 2.0 liter engine. There is a recall for shuddering engines for this vehicle during this time, however out VIN did not appear on the recall list. When I am stopped at a red light or slow down, then try to speed up, the transmission shutters and jumps forward. There is now another issue resulting in the vehicle to increase RPM's without gaining speed. With further inspection, there was no transmission fluid in the reserve. This vehicle is now only at 34,000 miles. I scheduled a warranty maintenance visit, the dealer doesn't have availability for another month.
Transmission complaints in other Outlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, 47% of the model year's 53 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.