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2013 Mitsubishi Outlander problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
37% of relevant owner complaints on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is elevated. Worth an independent inspection before you commit to one.
Better than 59% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 16 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 28%).
Does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander have engine problems?
More than most. The pattern is elevated rather than severe. 19 of 52 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (37%), and the largest group is filed under engine (9). For comparison, the 2012 scores 41% and the 2014 scores 37%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
The rest of the picture on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Every owner quote, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 19 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 14 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured June 11, 2012, through September 11, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection." The brake stop lamps may illuminate…
Risk: If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly other vehicles may not know when the vehicle is stopping. This could increase the risk of a crash. If the shift lever is moved from park without using the brake, the…
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The recall BEGAN ON April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's…
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport AWD vehicles manufactured June 11, 2012, through December 11, 2012. These vehicles may have been built without a fuel sending unit harness for the sub-sending unit. This may result in a false fuel tank level reading.
Risk: The vehicle operator may believe they have fuel when the tank is actually empty. This could cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will install the proper fuel sending harness, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign…
12 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 17, 2026.
Checking one particular 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander
Does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander have engine problems?
More than most; the pattern is elevated rather than severe. 19 of 52 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (37%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 14 in total: 13V116000 (power train: automatic transmission), 13V112000 (fuel system, gasoline). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years are better?
Among the Mitsubishi Outlander years we track, the 2022 (20%), the 2020 (29%) and the 2023 (29%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2013 (37%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander has an elevated engine complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing engine work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.