2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems: 17 Known Issues

On the 2014-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, the steel cylinder of each tailgate gas spring is protected only by a heat-shrink resin sleeve. Salt water works its way under the spring's dust cap, sits against the bare cylinder wall and corrodes it. Because the cylinder holds high-pressure gas, a corroded wall can either lose pressure — so the liftgate no longer holds itself up and falls on whoever is loading the cargo area — or rupture outright. Mitsubishi first recalled 91,697 vehicles in 28 salt-belt states plus DC in 2025 (25V507 / SR-25-002), then expanded the campaign nationwide in April 2026 to 108,046 vehicles after finding corrosion outside the salt belt.

On the 2022-2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, 4th-gen Outlander owners report the hood visibly flutters, shakes, and bounces at highway speed or in strong headwinds, feeling as though it could unlatch and fly open. The defect stems from the hood-latch/bumper-stop design and weatherstripping; Mitsubishi issued a TSB (latch/bumper-stop adjustment, weatherstrip and later reinforced-hood replacement) that owners report did not reliably resolve it, and a class-action lawsuit over the defect proceeded and reached a preliminary settlement.

On the 2022-2023 Mitsubishi Outlander, multiple NHTSA complaints describe the Outlander's Forward Collision Mitigation system warning and applying hard automatic braking with no obstacle present, including a 2022 SEL that decelerated from 70 mph and another that slowed itself without driver input. False triggers occur on highway curves and in rain or heavy dew that confuse the radar/camera sensors, creating rear-end collision risk.

On the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, nHTSA recall 21V596000 covers 3,735 model-year 2022 Outlander vehicles whose right-front and both second-row passenger automatic locking retractors may deactivate before the webbing is fully retracted, potentially leaving a child restraint unsecured. Recall 22V335000 covers an additional 2,865-vehicle 2022 population with the same ALR behavior. Both are FMVSS 208 noncompliance recalls and use VIN-controlled inspection and seat-belt-assembly replacement as necessary.

On the 2014-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, the PHEV blends friction braking with motor regeneration through the RBS control unit, which cross-checks wheel speed sensors, the brake stroke sensor and the motor controllers. If any of those inputs disagrees — most commonly a failing rear wheel speed sensor, but also a dragging caliper that makes actual deceleration exceed what the system commanded — the RBS unit faults out. Owners on the PHEV forum describe the RBS warning appearing on a long descent, followed immediately by 'safe mode' with no acceleration available, sometimes accompanied by an 'EV system service required' message after running on the engine. The car still stops (friction brakes remain), but the sudden loss of drive on a grade or in traffic is the safety concern.

On the 2022-2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi TSB-24-35-001 covers front-caliper noise when braking or turning on 2022–2024 Outlanders and 2023–2024 Outlander PHEVs. Low-rigidity pad retainers can deform as the pads move and contact the disc. The bulletin calls for improved retainers when the described condition is confirmed; it does not establish a universal failure mileage.

On the 2016-2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi's TSB-20-23-001 (revised through March 2024) documents a shudder or surge on F1CJC/W1CJC CVT-8 transaxles in the 2016-2020 Outlander 2.4L (4J12) and the 2022-2024 Outlander 2.5L (PR25DD, Nissan-platform 4th gen). Poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit lets the steel belt slip repeatedly under acceleration; the abrasion powder then contaminates the valve body and sets a warning light. Owners describe it as engine flare, lack of acceleration, or car shake. The bulletin applies only to gasoline models, not the PHEV, whose drive unit is a different design.

On the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, nHTSA recall 22V027000 and Mitsubishi campaign SR-22-001 cover certain 2022 Outlander vehicles. The commutator and wires inside the fuel pump may have been fused incorrectly, which can cause the pump to fail; fuel-pump failure can stall the engine and increase crash risk. NHTSA lists 16,616 potentially affected vehicles. This is a VIN-controlled safety recall, not a diagnosis that every 2022 Outlander fuel pump is defective.

On the 2018-2026 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4L PHEV, the Outlander PHEV can experience accelerated battery capacity degradation and intermittent charging failures. The battery management system occasionally refuses to initiate charging or terminates sessions prematurely, particularly in extreme temperatures.

On the 2022-2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, fourth-generation Outlander and Outlander PHEV owners (2022+) report the 12V auxiliary battery repeatedly going flat, sometimes leaving the car dead in a day or two, even on nearly new vehicles and with the traction battery fully charged. Identified culprits on owner forums include the OEM infotainment/radio head unit failing to fully sleep, a driver's seat control module intermittently drawing current, a WiFi/telematics module, and a charging logic that tops up the 12V battery on a fixed daily timer rather than by voltage - so a low battery may never recover. Distinct from the high-voltage traction-battery issues.

On the 2022-2025 Mitsubishi Outlander, nHTSA recall 23V345000 covers certain 2022-2023 Outlander and 2023 Outlander PHEV vehicles whose A-IVI software can prevent the backup-camera image from appearing. NHTSA recall 25V369000 replaces and expands that campaign to certain 2022-2024 Outlander and 2023-2025 Outlander PHEV vehicles because the image may freeze or fail to appear. Both are FMVSS 111 noncompliance recalls; vehicles repaired under 23V345 require the newer 25V369 remedy.

On the 2022-2026 Mitsubishi Outlander, the new-generation Outlander infotainment system experiences screen freezing, wireless Android Auto/CarPlay disconnections, and slow response to touch inputs. The system occasionally requires a vehicle restart to recover from a frozen state.

On the 2022-2025 Mitsubishi Outlander, fourth-generation Outlander (2022+, GN platform shared with Nissan Rogue) owners report windshields and side door glass cracking spontaneously or from minor road impacts, often within the first weeks of ownership. NHTSA complaints and CarComplaints entries describe cracks appearing with no visible rock strike, including glass cracking while the vehicle sits in a driveway, and multiple owners describe the OEM glass as thin/'cheap.' Because the windshield houses the forward camera for Forward Collision Mitigation and lane assist, replacement requires ADAS recalibration, driving cost well above a standard windshield.

On the 2018-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, mMNA Tech Talk 266 (February 2022) reports some US-market PHEVs with reduced or absent cabin heat and material blocking an inline filter. The bulletin lists no model years, and it does not identify the material as crystallized coolant, prescribe a failure mileage, or establish valve/pump failure from the symptom.

On the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi TSB-22-13-001 covers 2022 Outlander vehicles built before December 16, 2021. The check-engine light or an Engine Malfunction / Power Reduced Service Now warning may appear while idling or driving, with P0401, P0404 or other codes, because the engine ECU requires countermeasure software. The bulletin directs technicians to save and erase codes, diagnose hard codes that will not clear, perform the reflash first for the applicable population and diagnose further only if codes persist.

On the 2022-2023 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi's May 2023 TIN-22-31-001REV4 investigates incorrect wheel balance found during pre-delivery inspection or shortly after delivery on 2022–2023 Outlanders and 2023 Outlander PHEVs. Dealers were asked to document balancing results, wheel condition, tire details and when vibration occurred. This investigation does not establish that every vibration has the same cause.

On the 2014-2026 Mitsubishi Outlander, the Outlander develops front suspension clunking and knocking noises over bumps and rough roads. Worn front stabilizer bar end links and strut mount bearings are the primary culprits, with noise appearing as early as 30,000 miles.