Mitsubishi Recalling 108K Outlander, Outlander PHEVs Due to Liftgate Problem

by Michael Strong

Published: April 24th, 2026

mitsubishi recalling 108k outlander outlander phevs due to liftgate problem

Mitsubishi is recalling 108,046 Outlander and Outlander plug-in hybrid SUVs because a problem with the gas struts that hold the liftgate in the open position. For some vehicles, this will be the second recall for the same problem.

According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the cylinder of the liftgate gas spring can corrode due to salt water penetration. Over an extended period of time, the thickness of the cylinder walls could be “reduced.” When that happens, the cylinder rapidly loses pressure, causing the liftgate to fall. If someone is under the liftgate when that happens, they may be injured by the falling liftgate.

According to Mitsubishi Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motor North America, there have been four warranty claims related to the problem between November 2025 and February 2026. The companies are not aware of any injuries or accidents related to the problem; they told NHTSA in the filing.

The affected vehicles include 2018-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs and 2014-2020 Mitsubishi Outlanders. Those include vehicles that were not in the original recall issued in 2025. Owners of these vehicles will be notified to go to the nearest Mitsubishi dealer, where the defective cylinders will be replaced at no cost to the owner. If owners have already replaced them, they will be reimbursed for costs related to the replacement.

The first recall was issued Aug. 7, 2025, for 121,529 vehicles in what is described as the “Salt Belt,” which includes: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, according to NHTSA filings.

[Images: Mitsubishi]

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Michael Strong

Michael Strong has spent more than 25 years writing about the automotive industry. A Detroit-area native, he’s written about everything from local car shows to product reviews to financial news. Currently he writes and edits for a variety of national and local publications. He’s also a longtime member of the Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association, and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Hail Southern! Despite a love for ’70s land yachts and BMWs from the late ’80s and early ’90s, his personal vehicle is neither of those.

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5 of 8 comments

Jpolicke on Apr 24, 2026

This has been a problem for as long as there have been gas struts. To expect struts to still hold pressure after 12 years is unrealistic.

2 Reply
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- Hummer on Apr 24, 2026
  
  My Gastonia, NC made liftgate strut on my H2 is original from 2003. Still working with ample pressure.
  
  Like
- Stellantis Guy on Apr 24, 2026
  
  My prostate is from 1966. Same deal.
  
  1
- 28-Cars-Later on Apr 27, 2026
  
  "To expect struts to still hold pressure after 12 years is unrealistic."
  OE strut suspension on both the MY04 and front MY93 Volvos (rears changed on MY93 in 2012). I guess I'm not realistic.
  
  Like
Jalop1991 on Apr 24, 2026

Mitsu PHEV: yeah, our gas struts may not meet long term expectations, we're sorry, we'll fix that for you

Chrysler PHEV: guaranteed the transmission will fail pretty quickly, put it on your calendar. If you're lucky, your dealer will be nice enough to let you have a loaner for the three weeks it'll take to replace it. If we're still in business.

Ford: you didn't expect that backup camera to work, did you? Oh, and by the way: remember that transfer case that was faulty out of the factory, and you made us replace it three days into your ownership? Yeah, it turns out that the repair procedure was wrong and the shaft splines are probably worn badly. We'll probably have to replace both the xfer case and the transmission due to that faulty procedure. We'll let you know when a remedy is available. Probably by that time you've sold the car and the second owner won't even know about this.

2 Reply

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