2015 Mitsubishi Outlander: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
234 NHTSA owner complaints · 5 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
Avoid the 2015, 2016 and 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, which have 234, 169 and 212 complaints and scores of 38, 34 and 34. Buy a 2011 to 2014 car, which score 79 to 88 on between 36 and 88 complaints, or a 2017 to 2020 car, which score 76 to 85 on between 29 and 55. Read the full note on the model page. 2015 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 234 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander Sport: the years to avoid, including 2015 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 234 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 21.27
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
While driving on a highway at approximately 55–60 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost its ability to accelerate and maintain power. The engine RPM increased, but the vehicle would not respond normally, creating a significant safety hazard in traffic. The CVT transmission intermittently enters a reduced-power mode (limp mode), making it difficult to safely merge or continue driving. Diagnostic trouble codes P0776 (Pressure…
Purchased used car in July 2024 and was able to drive it maybe 2 months and the transmission would not shift and would come to a complete stop. Not a safe feeling driving in 3 lanes of traffic on a busy highway at rush hour. Transmission light on and took to mechanic and was told this make and model is notorious for transmission failure and it needs replacing. The odometer is 86316 and car has been sitting now for tw…
Engine and yes available for inspection. I had been driving then all of a sudden the Service Engine Immediately light started rapidly flashing and the car would hardly go. Turned around parked at home, towed to dealership where they said the engine compressor was not working and I would need a rebuilt engine for over $5000. Towed it back home and now looking for a new car. There were no warning lights or any oth…
Recalls: 5 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 25V507000 | Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire,… |
| 20V403000 | Seat Belts: Rear/Other:Buckle Assembly | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. |
| 26V252000 | Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. |
| 18V070000 | Parking Brake | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. |
| 17V609000 | Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 27 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,300
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Power Train142 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Engine47 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Vehicle Speed Control31 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
- Unknown Or Other26 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System25 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Fuel/Propulsion System18 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Mitsubishi Outlander years
Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Power Train (142 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 38/100, computed from 234 NHTSA complaints and 5 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander's most common problem?
142 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander sit in the Power Train group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is transmission service or clutch-pack repair: about 7.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,290–$4,040 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander cost to run per year?
About $4,914 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $24,570 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 07/08/2025. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 234 complaints, 5 recalls on record
- 234 NHTSA complaints on record (21.3/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (6.4/yr)
- 5 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems