Mitsubishi Outlander fuel smell problems

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel system · NV

Strong Coolant smell outside the vehicle while driving or idling, starting in Jan 2026. Strong fuel vapors smell inside and outside cabin noticed in Mar 2026. The strong fuel smell inside the cabin is causing passengers to have physical symptoms including headaches, sore throat, sinus irritation, and burning eyes. Clothing and hair is saturated with fuel smell after being in the car, even after short trips. It is significantly worse when temps are high. The coolant smell outside the car is very strong while driving and after driving. Neighbors and friends have witnessed both these smells on multiple occasions over the last 7mths. The dealer admits they smell the vapors and insists it is within normal limits. Two sales people at the dealer admitted to us it was a bigger problem and others had complained too. This takes it from a lemon to a recall but they are refusing to work with us further. It been in the dealer service twice for over 3wks for this, and we are told they have exhausted their options and will not accept it for these issues again.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

The contact owns a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of gasoline odor inside the cabin, causing the driver and passengers to experience nausea, and the windows needed to be opened while driving the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred after refueling the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the issue was unknown. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that an unknown fuel system part needed to be replaced and that a recall associated with the failure would soon be issued. The dealer later contacted the vehicle owner and offered to perform the fuel system repair free of charge; however, the contact was informed that the coverage was contingent upon paying for several unrelated repairs. The contact declined the repairs due to the cost.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Fuel system · AL

While operating my 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, a strong raw gasoline odor began entering the passenger compartment through the HVAC vents. The odor is present while driving but becomes significantly stronger when the vehicle is stopped and idling. After the engine is turned off, the gasoline odor gradually improves. The condition has occurred repeatedly. I am concerned about occupants being exposed to gasoline vapors inside the passenger compartment and the potential safety risk associated with fuel vapors being present during normal vehicle operation. I contacted a Mitsubishi dealership regarding the problem. The dealer advised that the only open recall currently showing for the vehicle is an unrelated software recall. The fuel odor has not yet been diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. Mitsubishi has issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB-25-17-001, “In-Cabin Fuel Smell When Vehicle Is Idling or Being Driven,” for 2022-2024 Outlanders. The bulletin describes fuel evaporation causing an in-cabin fuel odor associated with the location of the canister vent and provides a repair procedure involving the fuel filler tube assembly and vent location. There were no warning lights associated with the condition and no crash, fire, or injury. The vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

Strong Gas smell coming into can of car and through air vents when ideling

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Fuel system · NV

Since the first summer of ownership, a strong gasoline odor enters the passenger cabin. It is worst above roughly 100F ambient, a daily condition in southern [XXX], and is present while driving, while idling with the A/C on, and while the vehicle sits parked. The odor is strong enough that the vehicle cannot be parked in an attached garage in summer because fumes enter the house. A small child rides in this vehicle daily and breathes these vapors in an enclosed cabin. Repairs directed at this problem have been performed seven times since July 2023. The rear vent hose was rerouted. The fuel filler pipe was replaced under factory technical service bulletin TSB-25-17-001, fuel smell in cabin during idling, with the cause recorded as fuel smell from rear evap vent pipe positioning. The cabin filter was replaced and the A/C deodorized, the order stating the work was to help get rid of excess fuel smell from previous repair. A fuel line breather hose was ordered and later installed, the technician recording that the rear vent valve on the fuel filler neck was causing the smell in the cabin. A three-day inspection recorded no fuel smell below 90F but slight smell present after the vehicle sat in the sun at 98F. Most recently the fuel filler neck was replaced again under the bulletin with manufacturer authorization, the repair order stating CONFIRMED CONCERN, fuel smell coming from inside cabin when engine idling and A/C on. The odor was present again the same day that most recent repair was completed and it remains present now. The affected components are available for inspection. No warning lamps have appeared at any point. The manufacturer has an open customer case on this vehicle. Dealer inspections report no visible fuel leak, but the odor has never been eliminated after seven attempts over three years. A second owner of the same model year reported the identical problem to me at the same dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

After pumping gas there is a strong smell of gasoline in the vehicle. This is a safety issue for anyone in the vehicle inhaling the fumes. It seems to get stronger when the vehicle is on (for instance at a stop light) the dealership acknowledge this was more common for the 2024 and 2025 models and only a service alert. Vehicle has been inspected by a service tech. No warning lights are on.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Fuel system · NC

Our vehicles gas door would not open to get gas. During the 2nd and 3rd repair they damaged our vehicle. Worst of all on the last repair they modified our gas tank. They said they took it off another vehicle. Mine was a locking door now it isn’t. Since this was done the vehicle smells of gas when you fill it up and the miles to empty is off about 100 miles.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Fuel system · NM

The vehicle exhibits an intense, overpowering raw gasoline smell inside the passenger cabin, specifically originating from beneath the rear seat area. When the climate control/AC fan is turned on, raw fuel vapors are siphoned directly out of the dashboard air vents into the faces of the occupants, causing headaches and dizziness.Two independent mechanics have pressure-tested the fuel lines and confirmed there are no liquid fuel leaks, proving this is a structural vapor siphoning defect. Mitsubishi has documented this exact factory defect under TSB TS-25-13-001 (the federal safety agency ID: MC-11018002-0001), but the local dealership refuses to perform the safety repair without a massive out-of-pocket payment because the vehicle has 87,000 miles. This is an immediate fire and health hazard for anyone inside the vehicle.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

I own a 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander that I purchased new on December 21, 2024. Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has experienced ongoing problems involving the brakes, electrical system, and fuel fumes entering the passenger cabin. The most serious issue is the brake system. I have experienced hard braking, inconsistent brake response, brake warning lights, and at least one incident where the brakes suddenly failed and I had to take emergency action to stop the vehicle. The dealership has attempted multiple repairs, including replacing the brake booster, master cylinder, and other brake components, but the problem continues. The vehicle has also had repeated electrical problems, including warning lights, low-voltage issues, radio malfunctions, and steering wheel controls that stopped working. In addition, fuel fumes continue to enter the cabin while driving and when the vehicle is parked. The dealership has already replaced the fuel vapor canister and fuel filler neck, but the fuel odor persists. On June 13, 2026, I went to the emergency room because of symptoms related to inhaling the fuel vapors. I have reported these issues to both the dealership and Mitsubishi Motors North America on multiple occasions since the problems first began. Despite repeated repair attempts and ongoing communication, the defects remain unresolved. Based on the repeated failures, the number of repair visits, and the amount of time the vehicle has been out of service, I believe this vehicle qualifies as a lemon. The vehicle has been in the repair shop numerous times and has been out of service for approximately 45 days. I am filing this complaint because I am concerned that the brake failures and fuel vapor intrusion could put me, my passengers, and other drivers at risk. I am seeking assistance in resolving this issue as soon as possible to prevent further safety and health risks.

Filed Aug 10, 2024 · Fuel system, Steering · VA

I took this car 2 times to the dealership about the same issue the steering wheel it has a lose parts inside keep giving a weird noise and the second issue the gas smell inside the cabin if you stop the vehicle on hot day and the ac running they are a very bad gas smell coming inside the cabin throw the ac vents i looked on this issue online alot of people have this issue dealership said can't smell nothing they don't want to put the work in to this issue i need help please even last night we smelled it its very bad alot they said On line other people that the gas tank vents on hot day the vent out the gas and its get in to the ac thats why we smell it but when you are driving you dont smell nothing but if you stop and keep the car running come back it will be inside the cabin full of gas smell coming from the vents i have a disabled son i can't keep going throw this issue and some people said that mitsubishi know about it and they are working on it to fix i can't breath no more gas