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ProblemsByVin File / 2010-MITSUBISHI-OUTLANDER NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mitsubishi

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander has 60 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander has 60 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 18 complaints, typically surfacing around 90,917 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Mitsubishi Outlander owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2007 Outlander 125 9
2008 Outlander 58 12
2009 Outlander 46 13
2010 Outlander (this page) 60 10
2011 Outlander 88 8
2012 Outlander 36 6
2013 Outlander 68 5
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Mitsubishi Outlander
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.0 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
10
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Outlander?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 38,439 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 10 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2010-mitsubishi-outlander/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2010 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2010-mitsubishi-outlander/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2010 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
18 reports · fails ~90,917 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
6 reports · fails ~81,833 mi · avg $850
moderate
visibility
5 reports · fails ~94,333 mi · avg $350
moderate
airbags
4 reports · fails ~38,439 mi · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~144,500 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
suspension
4 reports · fails ~75,000 mi · avg $900
moderate
brakes
3 reports · fails ~34,500 mi · avg $450
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2010 Outlander's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2010 Outlander?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 Outlander · powertrain
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 the car shutting down. I was stuck in the middle of an…
12/25/2020 · at 139,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11384940.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2010 Outlander · airbags Crash
I had an accident while driving down a hill in snowy weather. I have driven for 29 years so I am an experienced driver, having driven this road for eleven years...without an accident. My neighbor was the first one to come to me after the accident and he said it looked as though…
12/24/2010 · at 5,100 mi · NHTSA ODI #10372356.0 · see airbags pattern →
2010 Outlander · engine
2010 Mitsubishi outlander. Consumer writes in regards to drive belt recall reimbursement. *smd Mitsubishi stated since the consumer already had the drive belts replaced, he was not entitled to reimbursement. According to the recall, the belt would have been replaced free of…
2010 Outlander · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi outlander. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v562000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount…
View all 60 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 10

severe NHTSA 20V279000 May 18, 2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc

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 member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
severe NHTSA 18V069000 January 26, 2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc

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 customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
severe NHTSA 18V071000 January 26, 2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc

If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
View all 10 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 10 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 18 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,917 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 60 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 90,917 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 18 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,917 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 90,917 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Mitsubishi Outlander has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 60 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Mitsubishi/Outlander. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Mitsubishi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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