Mitsubishi Outlander Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid are 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, based on complaint indexes of 95, 79, 100, 89, and 84 out of 100. The 2012 Outlander is the top-rated year with a complaint index of just 5, and 2005, 2006, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2025 are also rated Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 20
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,148
- Recall campaigns
- 35
- Crashes reported
- 96
- Fires reported
- 7
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Outlander Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mitsubishi Outlander problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 11 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 21 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 0 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 68 | 125 | 6 | 2 | 9 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 19.5 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 16 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 12 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 58 | 46 | 5 | 0 | 13 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 42 | 60 | 4 | 0 | 10 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 21 | 58 | 3 | 0 | 8 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 5 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 32 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 23 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 63 | 45 | 9 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 26 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 26 | 52 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 95 | 145 | 8 | 1 | 8 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 51 | 7 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | 26 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 74 | 57 | 7 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 47 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Brakes | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 79 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 215 | 14 | 1 | 7 | Structure & Body | 26 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 89 | 47 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 26 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 84 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 26 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Good | 37 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 26 | 5★ |
Outlander years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Index 100 · 215 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2022 Outlander has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Structure and body complaints account for 37 percent of the year's total, with a striking median failure mileage of just 415 miles, indicating problems appearing almost immediately. Collision-avoidance camera and fuel system complaints were also common. NHTSA recalls for 2022 include three separate software fixes for rearview camera and infotainment display errors.
2022 structure & body problems →2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2022 fuel system problems →
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Index 95 · 145 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2016 Outlander has a complaint index of 95, among the highest of any model year, driven mainly by transmission and powertrain problems, which made up 44 percent of complaints for the year at a median mileage of 79,800. Engine, brakes, and electrical complaints followed. Owners describe sudden warning-light illumination paired with steering or brake response issues. NHTSA has logged multiple recalls tied to this year, including a liftgate gas spring corrosion campaign and a rear brake caliper coating issue.
2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 engine problems →2016 brakes problems →
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Index 89 · 47 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2023 Outlander has a complaint index of 89. Electrical system complaints lead at 23 percent, with a median failure mileage of 79,057, followed by collision-avoidance camera, fuel system, and suspension complaints. Owners describe sudden electronic shutdowns and inability to shift into neutral. This year shares the same rearview camera and infotainment software recalls issued for 2022 and 2023 models.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Index 84 · 26 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2024 Outlander has a complaint index of 84. Electrical system complaints are the largest category at 27 percent, with a median failure mileage of 25,000, followed closely by collision-avoidance camera and engine complaints at similar mileage levels. Owners describe brake response problems and steering irregularities. A rearview camera software recall covering 2022-2024 models applies to this year as well.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Index 79 · 31 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2020 Outlander carries a complaint index of 79. Electrical system complaints dominate at 42 percent of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 105,000. Owners also reported issues with collision-avoidance cameras and structural components. Airbag-related complaints occurred at a much lower median mileage of 17,503. Recalls for this year include a seat belt assembly defect on the right-side second-row seat and the shared liftgate gas spring campaign.
Most common Mitsubishi Outlander problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System205 (18%)
- Engine192 (17%)
- Structure & Body177 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain174 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires162 (14%)
- Other147 (13%)
- Brakes124 (11%)
- Airbags94 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers85 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras71 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Mitsubishi Outlander should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, with complaint indexes of 95, 79, 100, 89, and 84 respectively.
- What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- The 2012 Outlander is rated Best, with a complaint index of only 5, the lowest of any model year with data.
- Is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
- The 2022 Outlander has the highest complaint index in the lineup, 100, with structure and body issues making up 37 percent of complaints and a very low median failure mileage of 415.
- Does the Mitsubishi Outlander have recall problems?
- Across all model years, NHTSA has recorded 35 recall campaigns for the Outlander, and several avoid-listed years, including 2022, 2023, and 2024, share rearview camera and infotainment software recalls.
- What is the most common Outlander complaint?
- Across all 1,148 complaints logged with NHTSA, Electrical System issues are the most common at 18 percent, followed by Engine at 17 percent and Structure & Body at 15 percent.