Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid (and the best years)
877 NHTSA owner complaints and 30 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 877complaints
- 30recalls
- 79reported crashes
- 4reported fires
- 76reported injuries
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Mitsubishi Outlander year to avoid is 2022. The typical Mitsubishi Outlander year has 47 complaints on file.
- 2022: 213 complaints, 4.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the body and structure (35% of complaints) and the fuel system (12% of complaints).
What are the best Mitsubishi Outlander years?
The Mitsubishi Outlander years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2012 (22), 2013 (26) and 2019 (29). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 0.3× | 1 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 26 | 0.6× | 1 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 47 | 1.0× | 2 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 213 | 4.5× | 7 | 14 | 10 | Approach with caution | Body and structure |
| 2020 | 31 | 0.7× | 3 | 5 | 7 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 29 | 0.6× | 5 | 5 | 5 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2018 | 57 | 1.2× | 6 | 7 | 8 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 51 | 1.1× | 6 | 7 | 4 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2016 | 145 | 3.1× | 8 | 8 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2015 | 52 | 1.1× | 5 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2014 | 45 | 1.0× | 4 | 9 | 9 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 26 | 0.6× | 5 | 3 | 13 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2012 | 22 | 0.5× | 6 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2011 | 58 | 1.2× | 8 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 60 | 1.3× | 10 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 451 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain110 (24%)
- Structure & body109 (24%)
- Electrical & infotainment90 (20%)
- Steering, suspension & tires49 (11%)
- Airbags & seat belts36 (8%)
Recalls (30)
Safety · 26V549000 · Aug 2026 · model year 2025
A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 26V252000 · Apr 2026 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Structure · 25V507000 · Aug 2025 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 25V369000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024
A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V345000 · Jun 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Safety · 22V470000 · Jul 2022 · model year 2022
An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 22V335000 · May 2022 · model year 2022
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fuel system · 22V027000 · Jan 2022 · model year 2022
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 21V821000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2022
In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 21V596000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2022
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 20V741000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2016
If the parking brake operating shafts bind, the parking brakes may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brakes do not engage properly, the vehicle could rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 20V403000 · Jul 2020 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Structure · 20V279000 · May 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 20V280000 · May 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
An incorrectly assembled seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 18V621000 · Sep 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V620000 · Sep 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
If the FCM-ECU software activates the brake for longer than necessary, the driver may react by applying additional braking. The resulting rapid deceleration of the vehicle can increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
Safety · 18V591000 · Sep 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
The incorrect rim size information on the label can cause the operator to replace the rim with an incorrect rim size, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 18V069000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 18V071000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V070000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V609000 · Sep 2017 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 17V461000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V233000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2016
If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 16V791000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V563000 · Jul 2016 · model year 2016
A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 16V458000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V232000 · Apr 2015 · model year 2010
Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 15V233000 · Apr 2015 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 14V562000 · Sep 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 14V366000 · Jun 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.