Mitsubishi Outlander Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mitsubishi Outlander model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2006 drew the fewest (21) and the 2016 the most (145).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
3 | 1 | Engine | — | 27–28 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
15 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 26–27 |
| 2006 Among the fewest complaints |
21 | 1 | Exterior lighting | — | 20–22 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
22 | 6 | Power train | 4★ | 21–25 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
26 | 5 | Visibility/wiper | 4★ | 21–25 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
26 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 26–27 |
| 2019 | 29 | 5 | Service brakes | 4★ | 22–27 |
| 2020 | 31 | 3 | Electrical system | 4★ | 22–27 |
| 2014 | 45 | 4 | Air bags | 4★ | 23–27 |
| 2009 | 46 | 13 | Exterior lighting | — | 19–22 |
| 2023 | 47 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 26–27 |
| 2017 | 51 | 6 | Service brakes | 4★ | 23–27 |
| 2015 | 53 | 5 | Power train | 4★ | 23–27 |
| 2018 | 57 | 6 | Engine | 4★ | 22–27 |
| 2008 | 58 | 12 | Suspension | — | 20–22 |
| 2011 | 58 | 8 | Engine | — | 21–25 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
60 | 10 | Engine | — | 20–24 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
125 | 9 | Suspension | — | 19–20 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
145 | 8 | Power train | 4★ | 22–27 |
| 2022 | 216 | 7 | Structure | — | 26–27 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mitsubishi Outlander years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander: 145 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 64 (44%); Engine 20 (14%); Service brakes 16 (11%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 61,036 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Mitsubishi Outlander: 125 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 58 (46%); Structure 16 (13%); Visibility/wiper 14 (11%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 94,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander: 60 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 12 (20%); Engine and engine cooling 7 (12%); Electrical system 6 (10%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
The Mitsubishi Outlander years with the fewest complaints
2006 Mitsubishi Outlander: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 7 (33%); Suspension 6 (29%); Electrical system 4 (19%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 100,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (27%); Engine 3 (14%); Service brakes 3 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 86,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander: 26 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 6 (23%); Engine 5 (19%); Electrical system 4 (15%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mitsubishi Outlander owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 47 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 216 | 14 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2020 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2018 | 57 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2017 | 51 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 34,000 |
| 2016 | 145 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 61,036 |
| 2015 | 53 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2014 | 45 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2013 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2012 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 86,000 |
| 2011 | 58 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2010 | 60 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2009 | 46 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 100,000 |
| 2008 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 99,000 |
| 2007 | 125 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 94,000 |
| 2006 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2022–2024 model years; 198,940 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2025; 25V369000)
- Lower Control Arm Detachment Due to Corrosion (2003–2013 model years; 194,674 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2016; 16V458000)
- Inoperative Right Rear Seat Belt Buckle (2014–2019 model years; 177,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2020; 20V403000)
- Parking Brake Actuators may Corrode (2014–2016 model years; 170,354 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2018; 18V070000)
- Drive Belt may Detach due to Worn Engine Pulley (2008–2011 model years; 165,923 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2014; 14V562000)
All 41 Mitsubishi Outlander recall campaigns · Mitsubishi Outlander problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mitsubishi Outlander years FAQ
Which Mitsubishi Outlander year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2006 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (21). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2016, 2007 and 2010 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mitsubishi Outlander problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (171 of 1,134 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Outlander have?
NHTSA lists 41 recall campaigns covering the Mitsubishi Outlander. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mitsubishi Outlander recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.