Mitsubishi

Outlander (3rd)

2014-2021 · Compact SUV ยท 5 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (4.3)
602 NHTSA Complaints
11 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
48 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Mitsubishi Outlander → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

SOHC MIVEC

3.0L
โœ… Recommended (4.3)
22 complaints 3.7 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
7
other
6
body
4
electrical
3
safety systems
2

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (7 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (4 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (3 complaints)

S61 - Y61

2.0L / 117 hp
โœ… Recommended (4.2)
14 complaints 4.7 per year Electric
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
5
engine
4
other
4
safety systems
4
fuel system
3

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)
Engine Issues (4 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (4 complaints)

Mitsubishi Outlander Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (3.7)
91 complaints 13.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
41
engine
21
electrical
13
other
8
safety systems
7

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (41 complaints)
Engine Issues (21 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (13 complaints)

MIVEC

2.4L
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.7)
282 complaints 39.1 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
82
safety systems
52
electrical
43
engine
38
brakes
37

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (82 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (52 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (43 complaints)

DOHC MIVEC

2.0L
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.6)
192 complaints 38.4 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
106
engine
36
brakes
24
electrical
22
other
16

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (106 complaints)
Engine Issues (36 complaints)
Brakes Issues (24 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

S61-Y61

2.4L 4-cyl / 126 hp
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Electric
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
1

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mitsubishi Outlander regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (229 complaints)
transmission critical
Engine Issues (99 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (86 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (68 complaints)
brakes critical
Safety Systems Issues (56 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (11)

25V507000Jul 7, 2025serious
Structure

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

20V741000Nov 29, 2020serious
Parking Brake

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts could have been peeled off during the assembly process. As a result, water entering the rear brake caliper boot may cause the parking brake operating shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

20V280000May 17, 2020serious
Seat Belts

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Outlander and 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The seat belt for the right side second-row seat may have been assembled incorrectly.

20V403000Jul 12, 2020serious
Seat Belts

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.

18V070000Jan 25, 2018serious
Parking Brake

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

18V621000Sep 13, 2018serious
Forward Collision Avoidance

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system and 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross vehicles and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system and/or an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) system. The software for the Hydraulic Unit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may be incorrect, possibly preventing the intervention of a safety system such as automatic emergency braking, Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), or the Brake Auto Hold (BAH) function when any of these systems are in use.

18V620000Sep 13, 2018moderate
Electrical System

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Outlander Sport, 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross, and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system that detects pedestrians. Due to incorrect software, the FCM-ECU (Electronic Control Unit) may apply braking for longer than needed, even after a pedestrian is no longer detected.

18V591000May 8, 2018serious
Equipment

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels. The Certification Label lists an incorrect rear wheel rim size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

17V609000Sep 28, 2017serious
Electrical System

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

17V233000Jun 3, 2017serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The inside door latch mechanisms may not latch securely in high temperatures, allowing the doors to open while vehicle is in motion.

16V563000Jul 27, 2016serious
Powertrain

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

The 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander has accumulated 602 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Engine, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander engine is most reliable?

The 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander a good used car?

The 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 602 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

The 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander has 602 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander?

There are 11 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander?

Before buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Engine, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Outlander?

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 602 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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