My 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has experienced recurring, severe powertrain failures causing a dangerous 'PHEV System Fault / Power Reduced' limp mode at highway speeds, dropping instantly from 60+ MPH to severely restricted speeds. This creates an immediate risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. The vehicle is currently fully dismantled at Jidd Motors Mitsubishi while technicians execute an extensive internal mechanical teardown of the engine's valve cover and cylinder valvetrain assembly to look for top-end structural damage. The vehicle has been non-functional and out of service for 38 days with no fix in site and at this point no communication from Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi Outlander won't shift problems
14 of the 1,329 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Outlander describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 70,000
By model year
- 20251
- 20231
- 20223
- 20163
- 20151
- 20131
- 20121
- 20081
- 20072
Often reported together
Won't start 1Transmission failure 1CVT failure 1Collision warning 1Check engine light 1
Trouble codes mentioned
U0114 1U0100 1C1560 1
What owners say
2 issues contributed to accident: 1st - Vehicle did not go into Park when button on gear shift was pushed. Driver did not notice that vehicle remained in Drive and exited the vehicle. 2nd - Vehicle did not automatically engage the emergency brake/park mode it is designed to do when Vehicle is in drive and driver door opens. As a result, Vehicle began to roll forward. Driver was knocked down and fell to ground and Vehicle ran over her legs, coming to a stop with the rear Driver side tire on her leg.
For the past 3 winters since I had this vehicle when it is cold outside the vehicle starts hard or will not start at all requiring a jump. It will not shift gears, or accelerate. The battery light comes on after the vehicle is running. I have called the local dealership and was told this happens when it is cold. I was told to bring the car in and let it sit there when it's cold so they can try and re create the problems they stated the battery is fine. As of today the vehicle started to leak oil after it started hard. When i purchased the vehicle i had noticed the hood shakes and bounces when driving. I mentioned this to the sales agent and they stated it was a known issue and they would recall the hood but it was a timely process. It is unsafe to drive a vehicle that will not accelerate or change from reverse to park and then roll It is also.unsafe to drive with oil leaking in your car I have made my vehicle available each time there is a situation The battery light comes on but has been tested at the dealership in the last 2 months This happens every time it's cold i call and they tell me itsa known issue when it's cold. When i purchased the vehicle I noticed the hood bouncing I asked the sales person about it and they said it was a known issue and they would fix it when the parts came in. I should have been more careful as it was a vehicle right off the truck.
Transmission control module Shifting goes into limp mode and doesn't allow acceleration until the car is turned off and back on There are other years of my vehicle where this is an active recall. The transmission service required light comes on Codes are as follows PO776 C1560 U0114 U0100
Transmission will not shift up out of first gear until the vehicle is completely up to normal operating temperature.
The contact owns a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The battery warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact was able to drive to his destination; however, the vehicle later failed to restart. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed but no issues were found; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, upon replacing the battery, the vehicle remained in LIMP Mode with the Forward Collision Avoidance system being inoperable. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a tech support was assigned to provide remote assistance to the dealer in diagnosing the vehicle; however, the tech support was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for 71 consecutive days. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,249.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while she was at a stoplight, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle would not shift from first gear. The warning message "Transmission Requires Service." appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated she continued to depress the accelerator pedal until the vehicle switched gears. The contact stated she was able to drive the vehicle, however, the failure reoccurred while at a stop light. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was driving on the highway when an active stability control service warning displayed on the dashboard. It was coupled with the check engine light and immediately caused my car to seize up making me momentarily lose control of the vehicle. As I regained control the vehicle continued to resist any acceleration while the rpms would frequently spike. I also lost anti-lock brake functionality with no dashboard warning. Through my mechanic I later found out the car was forcing itself into "limp mode" because the engine air flow sensor was giving a faulty reading. All of this put my car into conditions for a crash had I not acted quickly to avoid it. It also created a repair bill that was unnecessary as this is apparently part of a known technical service bulletin tsb-13-13-008. I find it inappropriate and irresponsible of mitsubishi to not have alerted me to the defect in the air flow sensor and filter box. It caused a needless dangerous driving condition and excess repairs.
While commuting on the highway (~60mph) my car suddenly downshifted and would not shift back to normal gears for high speeds (RPM gauge was sporadic, shuttering and jumpy). I was able to make it to a transmission shop (CVT specialist) driving 10 miles per hour. I was told that the transmission was shot and I needed to replace it (cost was 2,527.98) after the CVT was replaced, roughly about 45 minutes while driving , the car it started displaying the same symptoms. I returned the car back to the transmission shop and they said the dealership needed to do some upgrades to the transmissions computer. After the updates, driving was normal in till about 1 week later the CVT service light turned on again and started shuttering... So I traded in the car. This cars transmission has been a nightmare and money pit costing me and my family thousands of dollars. Car was only at 65k miles with proper routine maintenance and no recalls were listed for my vehicle.
My 2015 outlander was just inspected a week prior to this happening. My wife was driving the car on the highway and the vehicle would not exceed 50 MPH. The gas light was blinking on the dash but was full . While she's on the highway off ramp the car shuts down. She restarts it but it won't go into gear. Stuck in the park position. Now the car is in the shop and they say it's computer failure . @60,000 miles? I just find it funny that's how long of a warranty they give to you
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.
- Risk
- A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MMNA has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the CVT control unit with modified software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-006.
Recall number 16V563000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2009 Outlander vehicles. During servicing, the affected vehicles were repaired with replacement transfer case assemblies whose oil seal may come out of position.
- Risk
- If the oil seal dislodges, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) may enter the transfer case assembly, reducing the ATF pressure in the transmission, resulting in poor transmission shifting or the inability of the vehicle to be driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-005.
Recall number 14V365000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mitsubishi Outlander won't shift
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (3 complaints), 2022 (3 complaints) and 2007 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history