Mitsubishi Outlander Recall: 108,046 SUVs Affected by Liftgate Defect, Injury Risk Reported

Mitsubishi Outlander owners in the U.S. are facing a new safety recall after the automaker widened a previous repair campaign over a rear liftgate defect. The latest action covers 108,046 SUVs, including certain gas-powered Outlander models and plug-in hybrid versions, after investigators found that the liftgate support struts could corrode and fail.

The concern is not cosmetic. The liftgate gas springs are the small pressurized supports that help raise the rear hatch and keep it open while the cargo area is being used. If those parts weaken, the hatch may suddenly fall. In more severe cases, the pressurized cylinder could rupture, creating a potential injury hazard for anyone standing near the rear of the vehicle.

The affected vehicles include 2014–2020 Mitsubishi Outlander SUVs and 2018–2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has listed the campaign as recall number 26V252, while Mitsubishi’s own campaign code is SR-26-001. Owners can check their vehicle identification number through the official NHTSA recall lookup page.

What went wrong with the liftgate parts

The problem centers on moisture and corrosion. Mitsubishi’s investigation found that saltwater can enter the dust cap area of the liftgate gas spring. Once inside, corrosion may develop on the cylinder wall. As the metal thins, the part can lose the strength needed to safely hold pressure.

That matters because gas springs are not ordinary hinges. They are pressurized components designed to support the weight of the liftgate. When they fail, the driver may notice the hatch becoming harder to lift, dropping faster than normal, or refusing to stay fully open. In some cases, however, the failure could happen with little warning.

Mitsubishi will replace both the left and right liftgate gas springs free of charge. The updated parts use a steel cylinder with an anti-corrosion coating, replacing the earlier design that used a heat-shrink resin tube. The gas springs involved in the recall were manufactured by Mito Kogyo Co., Ltd., a Japanese Tier 1 supplier.

The recall population is made up mostly of conventional Outlander SUVs. Mitsubishi says 102,815 standard Outlanders are included, along with 5,231 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The company estimates that about 1% of the recalled vehicles may actually contain the defect, but the repair campaign covers the full group because of the possible safety consequences.

Why the recall was expanded

This action builds on an earlier, narrower recall that focused only on vehicles registered in areas known for heavy road-salt use. Those high-corrosion regions, often called the Salt Belt, were initially believed to carry the greatest risk because winter road treatments can accelerate rust on exposed vehicle components.

That assumption changed after a reported liftgate gas spring rupture outside the original Salt Belt area in August 2025. After that complaint, Mitsubishi reviewed vehicles from a broader geographic range and collected parts for inspection.

The company’s wider investigation ran from November 2025 through March 2026. During that review, Mitsubishi found ruptures and significant corrosion in gas springs taken from vehicles outside the earlier recall region. Those findings led Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to instruct its North American unit on April 14, 2026, to expand the recall population.

For owners, the expansion is important because it means the issue is no longer being treated as a problem limited only to states with heavy winter salt exposure. Vehicles outside those regions may also be eligible for the free repair if they fall within the covered model years.

Mitsubishi says it is aware of four U.S. warranty claims and field reports involving gas spring rupture, received between November 2025 and February 2026. The automaker has not reported any related crashes or injuries in the United States.

What owners should do before the repair

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 17, 2026. Still, owners do not have to wait for mail to arrive before checking their status. A VIN search through NHTSA or a call to a Mitsubishi dealer can confirm whether a specific SUV is included.

Until the replacement is completed, owners should use extra care around the rear hatch. Avoid standing directly under the liftgate longer than necessary, and do not assume the hatch will stay open if it feels weak, uneven, or slow to rise.

Drivers should also watch for practical warning signs. A liftgate that drifts downward, opens with less force than before, makes unusual noises, or requires more effort to raise may need prompt attention. Visible rust or damage around the support struts should also be taken seriously.

The free repair will involve replacing both gas springs, not just the side that appears weak. That approach is important because the left and right supports work together to hold the hatch safely. Replacing both parts helps restore proper balance and reduces the risk of another failure from the same corrosion issue.

The recall also matters for used-car buyers. Older Outlander models remain common in the secondhand market, and a vehicle can still have an open safety recall even if it looks well maintained. Since recall repairs are tied to the vehicle identification number rather than the current owner, buyers should check the VIN before purchase and confirm whether the repair has already been completed.

For Mitsubishi, the expanded campaign shows how a safety issue can grow after additional field data becomes available. A recall that began with a regional corrosion concern has now widened to more than 108,000 vehicles nationwide. For owners, the key step is straightforward: check the VIN, schedule the dealer repair when available, and be cautious with the liftgate until the updated parts are installed.