MitsubishiOutlander PHEV2020Overview/mitsubishi/outlander-phev/2020/base/

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Outlander PHEV.

Transmission Automatic (A1)

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV routes power through its plug-in hybrid platform and an Automatic (A1) transmission, establishing the core mechanical identity for researchers evaluating the vehicle. This iteration carries 30 total owner complaints predominantly focused on the electrical system, a primary vulnerability further underscored by three separate recalls. Examined within the 2018-2025 model history, the 2020 year directly follows the peak-problem 2019 model—which alone logged 22 complaints—and precedes the vastly improved 2022 version that saw just one, meaning this specific vehicle sits squarely within the generation's less reliable era before those underlying issues were ultimately resolved.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency25/26/25 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range310 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP225/55R18 97HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filter16546W010P
Fuel filter1770A312
Spark plug1822A154
BatteryARE17FB1X01
Front wiper bladesMZ693015 alt MZ693021
Thermostat1305A803
Cabin air filter7803A109

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (A1)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight4178 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 26 / 25 MPGe
Electric range310 mi
Charge time (240V)3.5 hr
Electric motor60 kW DCPM
Energy use45.0 kWh/100mi
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°44 in
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 96.030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
119-21.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°19–21 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Outlander PHEV marks a clear turning point in the model’s reliability arc: federal complaints dropped from 22 in 2019 to zero in 2020, and recalls fell from five to two, where they stabilized through 2022. While the 2018 and 2019 model years each had five recalls and double-digit complaints, the 2020 year shows a dramatic improvement with no reported complaints and only two recalls—though one investigation remained open through 2022. The listed top complaint areas for the target year (Electrical System, Unknown/Other, Air Bags) appear inconsistent with the zero-complaint record, but the data does not specify root causes for those entries. Technical service bulletins also declined from 141 in 2019 to 76 in 2020, suggesting fewer post-sale fixes were needed. Overall, the 2020 model year is a strong buy within this generation, as it represents the start of a low-complaint, reduced-recall phase that continues into later years.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
96
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
30
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other3
Air Bags3
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Structure2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V280000Seat Belts:Rear/OtherReported 18/05/2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Outlander and 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The seat belt for the right side second-row seat may have been assembled incorrectly. Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right side second-row seat belt and replace it as necessary, free of charge. This recall began June 17, 2020. Owners may…

25V507000Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/StrutReported 07/08/2025

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia… Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 96 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-25-54-0022026-03-30Electrical SystemThis revised Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to confirm that the SDA2 Audio…
TSB-23-55-0012026-02-12Visibility/WiperThis revised Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions on how to remedy noise from…
PB-25-54-0022026-01-30Electrical SystemThis parts bulletin provides clarification on the correct part numbers to order / use…
TSB-25-54-0022026-01-29Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to confirm that the SDA2 Audio Unit…
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outlander PHEV. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Outlander PHEV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the Outlander PHEV?

EPA figures are 25 city / 26 highway / 25 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 310 miles.