Caution statements regarding the disposal of certain SRS components have been incorrect in the service manuals of affected vehicles. This TSB provides updated caution statements.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Mitsubishi Outlander airbags problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
15injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 12 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 15 model years of Mitsubishi Outlander we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 12.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Twelve 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owners describe two main airbag problems. First, airbags did not deploy during serious impact events—front-end collisions at 45–70 mph, a side-impact with a pickup truck, and a strike with a deer at 55 mph. In each case the vehicle sustained heavy damage and occupants were injured, with owners stating the injuries would have been less severe had the airbags functioned. One collision involved no airbag deployment and simultaneous seat belt failure. Police reports were filed in at least one crash.
Second, owners report recurring "Service Airbag Required" and airbag warning light messages on the dashboard, appearing at mileages between 56,000 and 95,000 miles, and recurring as recently as 2024. One owner documented the warning returning after three separate dealer services spanning 2018 to 2024. A dealership diagnostic revealed fault code SR-14-001, citing improperly installed driver-seat-mounted airbag wiring, though the dealership disputed whether this constituted a recall. Most owners did not contact Mitsubishi directly; dealership repairs of the warning did not provide permanent fixes. No owner provided repair costs or final resolution.
Same Mitsubishi Outlander airbags reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Non-Deployment in Impact Events
Airbags failed to deploy during front-end and side-impact collisions at highway speeds (45–70 mph), despite sufficient crash severity to warrant deployment. Owners reported striking other vehicles, deer, and stationary objects with significant damage; injuries occurred that occupants attributed to the deployment failure.
When: At time of collision; various mileages ranging 38,000 to unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on front-end impact; No airbag deployment on side-impact; Vehicle sustained severe structural damage but airbags did not activate
Codes mentioned: SR-14-001
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives indicate driver-seat-mounted airbag wiring reported as improperly installed; one dealership denied this was a recall issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned by owners; no official Mitsubishi or manufacturer response documented in narratives
Airbag Warning Light Illumination and Service Messages
Airbag warning indicator and 'Service Airbag Required' messages illuminate on dashboard, sometimes intermittently, without clear triggering events. One owner reported the message recurring across multiple years (2018, 2023, 2024). Dealership diagnostics either cannot reproduce the fault or do not provide a diagnosis.
When: At various mileages: 56,000 miles, 95,000 miles; also recurring in 2023–2024
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; 'Service Airbag Required' message appears on dashboard; Warning light remains on while parked or in drive; Message clears after dealer service, then reappears
Codes mentioned: SR-14-001
Repairs/costs cited: Service performed at dealership (Avondale Mitsubishi noted) multiple times; message recurs without clear long-term resolution
Seat Belt Non-Engagement During Collision
One owner reported that during a collision, the seat belt did not engage, compounding injury risk when the airbag also failed to deploy. Owner struck the steering wheel and sustained neck whiplash.
When: During collision event; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt did not lock or engage during impact; Occupant struck steering wheel; Neck injury (whiplash)
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Takata recall I was involved in a head on motor vehicle collision in my 2013 outlander sport. Although at the time of impact I was traveling on the highway doing between 45-55 MPH, and the impact area of my vehicle was all front end, not one single airbag deployed. I suffered injuries to my neck and chest that I feel could have been avoided had my airbags deployed at the time of impact.
Takata recall - airbag light has come on and will not go off. Occurs in park or in drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi outlander sport. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to avondale Mitsubishi (10555 papago fwy, avondale, az 85323, (623) 299-8833) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Airbag service system light is on In my car and the codes ran and it popped up SR-14-001 they gave me paperwork saying its a recall on my driver seat mounted airbag wiring has been improperly installed. Dealership is saying its not a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi outlander sport. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle failed to yield. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear passenger's side of the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The driver and front passenger sustained minor bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a…
AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED message appears on dash. Occurred on 09/20/2018 and again on 09/29/2023. Both times required service to fix. Has now happened again on 10/14/2024. Secondary issue was reported by another driver for same vehicle for NHTSA ID Number: 11339357 and NHTSA ID Number: 11567379
My air bags did not deploy, the seat belt did not engage. Therefore I struck the steering wheel twice, and whipped my neck. *tr
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 46,000 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 95,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Mitsubishi/Outlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.