2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Score: 9.5 out of 10

21 NHTSA Complaints

1 Recalls

0 Fire Reports

2 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

9.5 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar compact SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 2 powertrain complaints. A typical compact SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 23.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall2 complaints against about 23 for similar vehicles

9.5

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Mitsubishi Outlander Unidentified Engine

16 complaints 16.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension

exterior

electrical

brakes

body

Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

2.4 MIVEC

2.4L

4 complaints 4.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior

fuel system

Magnum

3.7L 6-cyl

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

Same engine used in

JEEP Grand Cherokee (2011-2021)JEEP Liberty (2002-2007)DODGE Nitro (2007-2011)MITSUBISHI Raider (2006-2009)CHRYSLER Town & Country (2008-2016)JEEP Grand Cherokee (2000-2004)

+8 more

DODGE Ram (2002-2008)JEEP Grand Cherokee (2005-2010)JEEP Commander (2006-2010)DODGE Ram (2009-2010)RAM 1500 (2009-2018)DODGE Durango (2004-2009)CHRYSLER Aspen (2007-2009)DODGE Dakota (2005-2011)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mitsubishi Outlander, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior: 7 owner complaints

Suspension: 6 owner complaints

Recalls (1)

16V458000Jun 23, 2016serious

Suspension

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

All Generations

20032003 20042004 20052005 20062006 2nd2007-2013 3rd2014-2021 4th2022-2025

Alternatives in Compact SUV

6 engines / 1,695 complaints

Lexus

2015-2021

9.6/10

3 engines / 217 complaints

3 engines / 153 complaints

3 engines / 148 complaints

3 engines / 1,278 complaints

Lexus

2022-2025

9.5/10

4 engines / 114 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander complaints?

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander. The systems they name most often are the exterior, the suspension and the electrical system.

Is the 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

NHTSA has 21 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA lists 1 recall covering some 2006-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the exterior, the suspension and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Outlander have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 21 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: low. Last updated: 2026-10-12.