Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 8% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 7% |
| Power train | 3 | 5% |
| Air bags | 3 | 5% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Dealer wants to replace rear lower control arms due to corrosion and the car control arms were never addressed when I took it into the dealer for recall 16V458. The dealer was supposed to add a anti corrosion spray to t
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that after turning the front windshield wipers off, the driver’s side and passenger’s side windshield wipers remained in the upright position. The cause of
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
High Point Mitsubishi in High Point NC preformed the recall in regards to rust forming on the underside crossmember of this vehicle. Less than 3 years later this vehicle is immovable because of the exact same reason as t
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The cross member is rusted through with holes in it. Dangerous to drive.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, he heard a cracking sound coming from the sunroof. When the contact exposed the glass portion of the sunroof, the sunro
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
ABS PUMP MOTOR ECU INTERNAL FAILURE -LOSES BATTERY VOLTAGE SIGNAL INTERNALLY
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
EARLY FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON OUTLANDERS IS KNOWN PROBLEM AND PUTS DRIVERS AT RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE CAR GOES INTO A SAFE MODE LEAVING THE CAR STRANDED IN THE ROAD. MY CAR GAVE ME NO WARNING PRIOR TO T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THERE IS SOME PROBLEM WITH BRAKE. THE ABS AND ASR LIGHTS ARE ON. SO I DECIDED TO GO TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME ABS PUMP IS BROKEN. STARTED WHEN I WAS DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, M
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 membe
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the po
Risk: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive b
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA cust
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected vehicles, water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resul
Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing
| Reliability raw | 62 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 44 | below average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 10 of them (17%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 62/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.