MitsubishiOutlander2020Overview/mitsubishi/outlander/2020/base/

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

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

Transmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander utilizes an Automatic (AV-S6) transmission to achieve EPA fuel economy ratings of 25/30/27 mpg. Reliability records for this model year document 30 total owner complaints, primarily within the Electrical System, alongside 3 recalls. When viewed against the model's complaint history spanning 2003 to 2025, the 2020 version falls well below the peak of 233 complaints seen in 2015 but remains above the lowest recorded count of 13 in 2025. This data places the vehicle in a period of reduced reported issues compared to the generation's highest fault rates, though it does not hold the cleanest record in the timeline.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172016

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/30/27 mpgEPA · 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 size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR968274
Fuel filter1770A312 alt 1770A414
Spark plug1822A067 alt 1822A088
Front wiper bladesMZ693015 alt MZ693021
Serpentine belt1340A150 alt 1340A132
Thermostat1305A803 alt MD194988
Cabin air filter7803A109

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3406 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 30 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6–10.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2017 GT V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021PHEV GT S-AWC 2.4L I-4 + Elec8.50 sec16.70 sec221 hpAWD
2018PHEV Plug-In Hybrid GT 2.0L I-4 + Elec 2x60-kW 12.0-kWh9.20 sec17.20 sec190 hpAWD
2018PHEV Plug-In Hybrid GT 2.0L I-4 + Elec 2x60-kW 12.0-kWh9.70 sec17.50 sec190 hpAWD
2017GT V6 3.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec224 hpAWD
2016SEL 2.4L I-49.20 sec17.00 sec166 hpAWD
2016SEL 2.4L I-49.30 sec17.30 sec166 hpAWD
2014GT V6 3.0L V67.80 sec16.20 sec224 hpAWD
2014SE 2.4L I-49.10 sec17.00 sec166 hpAWD

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, the oil drain plug to 26.0 - 32.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs16.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts155.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts56.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 - 32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque28.0 - 36.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 67.0-; Rear: 38.0-
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .960; Rear: .330
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0024; Rear: .0032

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°44 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
181.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°81 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
125-27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2 90°, Step 3: 90°25–27 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
133.1-34.6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150-154°33.1–34.6 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 96.030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°18 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°20 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)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (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 Mitsubishi Outlander records 30 complaints, 3 recalls, and 96 technical service bulletins, with zero investigations and zero fire-related complaints—though 5 of those complaints involved a crash. Compared to the 2015–2016 peak (233 and 167 complaints, plus 12 and 11 recalls), the 2020 model year sits well below the generation's high-water mark, and it also edges out 2019 (29 complaints, 5 recalls) with slightly fewer recalls. However, the trend is not monotonically improving: 2022 spiked to 208 complaints and 7 recalls, meaning 2020 is nestled in a relatively calm pocket rather than at the end of a clean improvement curve. The dominant complaint clusters for 2020 are concentrated in the Electrical System (5) and Air Bags (3), but the dataset does not specify root causes for these filings. TSB volume of 96 is the lowest in the recent run since the mid-2010s, suggesting fewer manufacturer-acknowledged service actions than the 2015–2017 era. Taken together, the 2020 Outlander is a defensible used-buy from a federal-record standpoint—complaint and recall counts are well below the generation's worst years and no investigations are open, though the 2022 spike is a reminder to verify that any specific vehicle had its recall remedies performed before purchase.

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. 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 have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Outlander get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg.