Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2023 | 4 | 8% | 46,000 miles |
| 2022 | 14 | 6% | 7,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 14% | 134,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 7% | 70,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 11% | 170,000 miles |
| 2008 | 10 | 17% | 138,000 miles |
| 2007 | 58 | 46% | 121,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 29% | 134,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 47% | 136,000 miles |
| 2004 | 20 | 38% | 96,000 miles |
| 2003 | 28 | 24% | 82,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear of the vehicle would move independently. The contact stated that it felt as if the vehicle were going to slide and eventually would lose control. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown rear chip had failed. The shock absorbers had water, the rear brake pads were worn down to zero, and the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted and was worsening. In addition, the contact stated an abnormal grinding sound could be heard coming from the rear differential. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the differential gauge had failed to function as intended. …
The contact owns a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle drove over a rock or a manhole cover, the rear end of the vehicle was fishtailed, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. Additionally, during rainy weather, the vehicle would hydroplane. The vehicle was taken to a dealer several times however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and making a right or left turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver's side front wheel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side strut bearing was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming through the A/C vents while driving and while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
Somewhere around 9K or 10K miles, the car would wildly react to road imperfections, especially the irregularities at bridges that are not in perfect alignment with the road. When I had the car to the dealer with about 12K miles to have the hood replaced due to excessive flutter (per a TSB vs. a recall), I reported the issue. The dealer found a leaking rear shock absorber. They ordered a new one (part 4162A504) but it was on backorder. I determined that the warehouse was doing a "controlled release" of these shock absorbers because so many are bad. One online seller told me at least 3,000 other people had this issue. …
The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, she observed a rubbing noise emanating from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that on one of those occasions, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving over bumps in the roadway the vehicle was not driving smoothly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the drive belt was cracked on the ribs of the belt, the sway bar links, and front and rear CV boots were torn, the tie rod end replacement boots were torn, and the lower front and lower control arms, ball joints, and rear bushings were torn, the motor mount front bushings had started to tear, motor mount was torn, and the shock absorbers needed to be replaced due to rear shocks leaking and that all the listed parts needed to be replaced. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle would wobble. The vehicle was taken to daytona Mitsubishi (located at 510 n nova rd, daytona beach, fl 32114), but was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the vehicle was taken to the same dealer a few years ago for the same failure. The dealer diagnosed that a flat spot from the tire caused the failure. The dealer performed an alignment, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
This model vehicle has a bad design flaw that Mitsubishi refuses to acknowledge. The location of the air conditioner discharge causes water to drip directly onto the sub frame below. This dripping corroded a hole through my sub frame deeming it structurally unsound and unsafe to drive, and caused it failed my state inspection. My local dealer and Mitsubishi both refused to cover the cost of replacing the part since no recall currently exists. I ended up getting a used part from a local shop for half the cost of what the dealer quoted me. I also had the mechanic jury rig an ac discharge tube extension to direct the water away from the sub frame so it wouldn't keep happening. Had my state inspector not caught this corrosion, I would be still driving the unsafe vehicle. A compromised sub frame could result in numerous failures that could cause an accident. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while the vehicle was operated at various speeds there was an abnormal popping sound emitted from the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken jerry's Mitsubishi located at 1906 e joppa rd, parkville, md where it was diagnosed that bearing in the drive axle was defective and recommended it be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted however no further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Related recalls (1)
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (58), 2003 (28), 2004 (20), 2022 (14) and 2008 (10) model years. Suspension complaints make up 46% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Outlander suspension problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-458 (lower arm, Jun 23, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Outlander suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear (8 mentions), followed by the front (6).
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.