The Lemon Index

All carsMitsubishiOutlander2010

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2nd generation, illustration2009
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2nd generation, illustration
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2nd generation, illustration2011

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander problems.

2nd generation

Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 12,500 in the U.S. in 2010 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.

Better years to buy

Other generations202034201934201790

All 22 yearsCompare

6 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–24 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

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Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.

When problems show up

Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.

Questions to ask the seller

  1. Were recalls 20V279000 (body structure), 18V069000 (engine) and 18V071000 (visibility) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
  2. Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
  3. Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
  4. Mitsubishi sent dealers 115 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some vehicles, an active stability control (asc) steering wheel sensor has been installed”?

From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.

How serious. Out of all 6 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:

2crashesaverage car: 0
1injuriesaverage car: 0
0firesaverage car: 0
0towsaverage car: 0

“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

airbags33%
seat belts17%
wheels17%
brakes17%
seats17%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Check engine light on? Look up any code →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 5K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 14K miles (3K to 23K km) on the car (5 of all 6 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about

Mitsubishi sent dealers 115 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • On some vehicles, an active stability control (asc) steering wheel sensor has been installed
  • When ever the brakes are depressed, on some vehicles, the rear stop lights fails to work properly
  • This is a technical service bulletin (tsb) that was sent to dealers

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Recalls 10

  • Body structure · recall issued 2020

    The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from.

  • Engine · recall issued 2018

    The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

  • Visibility · recall issued 2018

    The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.

Show all 10 recalls
  • Visibility · recall issued 2017

    In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole.

  • Visibility · recall issued 2016

    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 separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

  • Suspension · recall issued 2016

    In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross me.

  • Electrical · recall issued 2015

    The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers.

  • Visibility · recall issued 2015

    In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.

  • Engine · recall issued 2014

    The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped).

  • Steering · recall issued 2014

    A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

Every Mitsubishi Outlander recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆

NHTSA front crash test of the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
Front crash test · NHTSA
Fuel cost and engines

About $2,500–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.

Every Mitsubishi Outlander year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.

Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/?y=2010" title="Mitsubishi Outlander reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

We can't score it: only 12,500 were sold in the U.S. in 2010 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.

What are the most common 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (33%), seat belts (17%) and wheels (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

10 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander cost in fuel a year?

About $2,500 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.

What Mitsubishi Outlander year is better than the 2010?

No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest (about a third as many complaints as the average car).

The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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