Mitsubishi Outlander

Generation by generation

1. Gen. 12003–2006 · CU

   The Airtrek crosses the Pacific

   

   What changed. It was the first Outlander for the United States, derived from Japan's 2001 Airtrek. It arrived with a single engine, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 140 hp and 157 lb-ft, a four-speed Sportronic automatic and front-wheel or full-time all-wheel drive. It came in LS and XLS trims, priced from $17,997 to $23,390.

   The innovation. The first U.S. Outlander combined unibody construction, available full-time AWD and an elevated SUV driving position with the manufacturer’s sedan-alternative positioning.

   If you buy one usedNHTSA lists three relevant campaigns. On the 2003 model, ice inside the throttle valve could make the pedal stick in extreme cold (03V028, fixed by reprogramming), and water could enter through the sills or dash and corrode connectors for the seat-belt pretensioner, side-airbag sensor and brake lights (03V194). Recall 16V458 also covers 2003–2006 Outlanders originally sold or ever registered in the 22 states and District of Columbia specified in the campaign: the front cross member can corrode from road salt and let the lower control arms detach. If the car lived in snow country, ask for the cross-member inspection before buying.
2. Gen. 22007–2013 · CW

   V6, aluminum roof and a third row

   

   What changed. The second-generation U.S. MY2007 Outlander was already on sale during 2006; November was its first full sales month. Its new global platform would also underpin the Lancer and Lancer Evolution. The sole launch engine was a 220 hp aluminum 3.0-liter MIVEC V6 with a six-speed Sportronic automatic; XLS included magnesium shift paddles. Wheelbase grew from 103.3 to 105.1 inches, and the load floor dropped approximately eight inches. XLS added an underfloor-stowable third row. The AWD model could tow up to 3,500 pounds with the required towing package.

   The innovation. An aluminum roof reduced the center of gravity. Available electronic All-Wheel Control worked with Active Skid and Traction Control and independent suspension; AWC was offered on LS and XLS at launch.

   If you buy one usedSelected NHTSA campaigns to review by exact VIN and repair history include: the accessory pulley and belt on 4B1 engines could wear and detach, stalling the engine (14V562, 2008–2011; and 18V069 for the tensioner, 2008–2012); the brake booster check valve could stick and reduce initial assist (09V077, 2008–2009); water could corrode and separate the wiper-link ball joint (16V791) or enter and corrode the wiper motor (17V461), both affecting certain 2007–2013 vehicles; the sunroof glass could detach (18V071, 2007–2010); and the brake light switch (08V680 and 14V564). For cars from salt states, recall 20V279 (2008–2013) covers front cross-member corrosion. Check by VIN at nhtsa.gov that all of it was done. Campaign 16V458 also includes certain 2007–2013 V6 Outlanders with the specified historical registration geography. Confirm exact eligibility rather than relying on the generation heading.
3. Gen. 32014–2020 · GF

   Lighter, safer and the first PHEV

   

   What changed. Unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2014 model, with a body about 200 pounds lighter thanks to high-tensile steel. Engines: a 166 hp 2.4-liter MIVEC with a CVT (up to 31 mpg highway) and a 224 hp 3.0-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic on the GT. Seven seats standard on every trim and prices from $22,995, $800 less than the previous year at the top of the range. This is the generation that brought the Outlander PHEV to the United States, in late 2017.

   The innovation. Mitsubishi presents the Outlander PHEV as the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, launched in Japan in 2013. Its original system used a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, one electric motor per axle and a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery, without a conventional multi-speed gearbox. In its April 2019 release, Mitsubishi cited JATO Dynamics for PHEV sales leadership in Europe during 2015–2018 and worldwide at the end of 2018. U.S. launch took place in December 2017. The MY2018 version had 197 system hp, and the original U.S. manufacturer kit specified DC fast charging to 80 percent in as little as 25 minutes under suitable conditions.

   If you buy one usedNHTSA lists: defective relays that could stall the engine or cut power (17V609, 2015–2017); water in the rear calipers corroding the parking brake (18V070, 2014–2016); the second-row center buckle that could disable the right-side buckle when the seats were folded (20V403, 2014–2019 and 2018–2019 PHEV); and Forward Collision Mitigation software (18V620, 2017–2018). The newest is from 2026: the liftgate gas springs can corrode, lose pressure and let the liftgate fall (26V252, 2014–2020 Outlander and 2018–2022 PHEV; letters mailed June 2026). Ask for the receipt for that repair. Campaign 26V252 expands 25V507; confirm the newer campaign and the exact VIN’s completed gas-spring replacement.
4. Gen. 42022–present · GM

   The Alliance Outlander

   

   What changed. Nissan completed its 34 percent Mitsubishi Motors stake purchase in October 2016, bringing MMC into the Alliance with Renault and Nissan. The fourth Outlander shared the Rogue’s basic architecture, 106.5-inch wheelbase, powertrain and some chassis components, with distinct Mitsubishi styling and calibration. It debuted on Amazon Live on February 16, 2021, billed as the first automobile premiere on that platform, and launched in North America in April as a MY2022 vehicle from $25,795. The launch version used a 2.5-liter engine with seven seats and eleven airbags standard. S-AWC, a 12.3-inch digital cluster and MI-PILOT Assist were available according to trim and configuration.

   The innovation. Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), the Lancer Evolution-derived system that coordinates drive and braking force at all four wheels, now in a family SUV with what Mitsubishi calls the only standard third row in the segment. For 2026 the engine became a 1.5-liter turbo with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, 174 hp and 206 lb-ft.

   If you buy one usedThe first 2022 Outlanders had several recalls: a fuel pump that could fail and stall the engine (22V027), seat-belt retractors that deactivated early and affected child-seat installation (21V596 and 22V335) and a rearview camera that did not display (22V470). The A-IVI infotainment software failed again with the rearview camera in 2023 (23V345), in 2025 (25V369, 2022–2024 Outlander and 2023–2025 PHEV) and in 2026 (26V549, 2025–2026 Outlander and 2026 PHEV). Eligible affected vehicles have free dealer remedies. Confirm the fuel-pump and seatbelt hardware work separately from the camera software updates. Campaign 25V369 requires a new remedy after 23V345; confirm current campaign status and completed repairs for the exact VIN.

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