Home › Guides › Mitsubishi › Structure
Why do Mitsubishi Outlander liftgate struts and body welds get recalled?
Mitsubishi's structure recalls center almost entirely on one vehicle line: the Outlander. Two of the three campaigns — filed in August 2025 and again in April 2026 — cover the same defect: liftgate gas spring cylinders that corrode, lose pressure and can rupture or let the hatch fall, on 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander models. The first round was limited to salt-belt states such as Illinois, Michigan, Maryland and Massachusetts, where road salt speeds corrosion. The third recall is unusual and tiny: a single 2022 Outlander whose center pillar was welded incorrectly after a welding-robot programming error, leaving it short of federal crash-protection standards.
Warning signs to watch for
- The rear hatch drifts down or will not stay up on its own
- Rust or corrosion visible on the gas strut cylinders at the liftgate
- The liftgate falls suddenly after you let go of it
- A gas spring cylinder that has ruptured or clearly lost pressure
- The center pillar weld defect gives no warning sign an owner could see or feel
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the three Mitsubishi notices tells owners to stop driving or to park outside. For both liftgate gas spring recalls the hazard is an injury at the back of the vehicle rather than a crash, so you can keep using the Outlander while you wait for the free replacement — just be careful standing under an open hatch. The single 2022 Outlander with the bad center pillar weld is different: it would offer less protection in a side impact or rollover, and that owner is told to contact Mitsubishi right away, though no stop-driving order was issued.
What the free repair involves
For the two liftgate recalls, dealers replace both the left and right liftgate gas springs at no charge. For the single mis-welded 2022 Outlander, Mitsubishi will repurchase and replace the vehicle itself, also free. Nothing in this group is fixed by software or over the air — all work happens at a Mitsubishi dealer, and owners can reach MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| medium | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-20 | Mitsubishi Outlander liftgate struts corrode and drop suddenly | medium |
| 2025-08-07 | Mitsubishi Outlander liftgate struts can rust and drop hatch | medium |
| 2021-10-18 | One Mitsubishi Outlander has a badly welded center pillar | medium |
Common questions
Why was the Outlander liftgate strut recall issued twice?
Mitsubishi filed the first campaign in August 2025 for vehicles sold or registered in salt-belt states, then filed again in April 2026 covering 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander with the same corroded gas spring defect and the same replacement repair.
Does the state I live in matter for the liftgate recall?
For the 2025 filing, yes — it listed states such as Alaska, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland and Massachusetts, where road salt is used. The 2026 filing lists the affected Outlander and Outlander PHEV model years without that state limit, so check your VIN either way.
How do I know if my 2022 Outlander has the bad center pillar weld?
Only one vehicle was affected by that welding-robot programming error, and Mitsubishi identified it by VIN. If it is yours, Mitsubishi will repurchase and replace the vehicle. Call MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820 to confirm your VIN.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.