Should I buy a 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander with documented lighting problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented lighting issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander lighting problems

moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$250

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 14V564000 12/09/2014

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc

Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began in mid-October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-010. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 08V-680 and does not include any vehicles that were previously recalled.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

lighting · filed 11/23/2016

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING BOTH OF MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT. I CHECKED FUSES AND THE NEXT TIME I USED THE CAR THE LIGHTS WORKED. MY WIFE USED THE CAR ONE NIGHT AND WAS DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD AND THE LIGHTS ONCE AGAIN WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS VERY UPSET AND RETURNED HOME IMMEDIATELY. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM HOME. I FOUND A RECALL FOR…

lighting · filed 10/29/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 14V564000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWA…

lighting · filed 08/06/2018

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE ETACS ECU. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THE DEFECT WAS CONFIRMED. MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING WITHOUT NHTSA INVOLVEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE BLOWER FAILED DUE TO THE ETACS ECU SO THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR.

Common questions

How serious is the lighting problem on the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to lighting?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.