YearToAvoid

Mitsubishi Outlander vs Acura RDX: Which Years to Avoid

Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid are 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024; Acura RDX years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The Outlander logs 1,148 total complaints and 35 recall campaigns across 20 model years, while the RDX logs 2,151 complaints and 16 recalls across 19 model years.

Head to head

Mitsubishi Outlander

Model years
2005–2025 (20)
NHTSA complaints
1,148
Per model year
57
Recall campaigns
35
Years to avoid
2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Best years
2012
Top problem area
Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG
23.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating
4.7 ★

Acura RDX

Model years
2007–2025 (19)
NHTSA complaints
2,151
Per model year
113
Recall campaigns
16
Years to avoid
2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021
Best years
2010, 2011, 2012
Top problem area
Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG
21.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating
5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

YearOutlanderRDX
VerdictComplaintsRecallsMPGVerdictComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good19121————
2006Good21121————
2007Caution125919.5Good53219
2008Caution581221Good33319
2009Caution461321Good15219
2010Caution601021.5Best22220
2011Caution58823Best16220
2012Best22623Best15220
2013Good26523Caution162322.5
2014Caution45426Avoid242322.5
2015Good52526Avoid411322.5
2016Avoid145826Good40222.5
2017Caution51626Caution76122.5
2018Caution57625.5Caution77122.5
2019Good29525.5Avoid438523.5
2020Avoid31325.5Avoid345523.5
2021————Avoid112323.5
2022Avoid215726Caution31223.5
2023Avoid47226Good22223.5
2024Avoid26126Good11223
2025Good15126Caution30123

Complaint Index by year

Mitsubishi Outlander

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Acura RDX

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should I avoid?
NHTSA data flags 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as Avoid years for the Outlander, based on complaint index scores and recall activity for those model years.
Which Acura RDX years should I avoid?
NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021 as Avoid years for the RDX, driven largely by Electrical System and Visibility & Wipers complaints.
Does the Outlander or RDX have more complaints?
The RDX has 2,151 total complaints versus 1,148 for the Outlander, and averages 113 complaints per model year compared to the Outlander's 57. These totals are not adjusted for how many of each model sold.
Which has more recall campaigns, the Outlander or RDX?
The Outlander has 35 total recall campaigns across its 20 covered model years, more than double the RDX's 16 recalls across 19 model years.
Which model gets better fuel economy?
The Outlander averages 23.9 mpg combined across its years, better than the RDX's 21.9 mpg combined average.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.