RoadVitals

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Mar 18, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 23, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, suspension and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 35 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Exterior lighting728.0%
  • Suspension624.0%
  • Electrical416.0%
  • Body & structure28.0%
  • Brakes28.0%
  • Fuel system28.0%
  • Driver assistance14.0%
  • Visibility14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V458000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Jun 23, 2016
194,674 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-16-003View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
Suspension
Filed Mar 18, 2026
Crash reported

Control arm became unattached losing ability to steer and cracking the subframe on the front driver side.

NHTSA ID
11725304
Incident
Dec 16, 2025
Suspension
Filed Oct 24, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED ON BOTH FRONT TIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED IF IT WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000(SUSPENSION) AND ASSOCIATED IT WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11270850
Incident
Oct 24, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER FAILED AND DAMAGED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE LOWER CONTROL ASSEMBLY, THE STEERING ASSEMBLY, THE FRONT AXLE, THE STABILITY CONTROL, AND THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PERUZZI MITSUBISHI (130 LINCOLN HIGHWAY, FAIRLESS HILLS, PENNSYLVANIA 19030, PHONE (888) 481-7599). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) AND THE DAMAGED PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER CHARGED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ADDITIONAL PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID
11067215
Incident
Dec 19, 2017
Mileage
83,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 30, 2017

THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FUEL VAPORS WERE LEAKING INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, THIS WAS TRULY AN OBSTACLE TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL MISUBISHI DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL THE COST TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND RELATED GASKETS, HOSE LINES, C;AMPS, ETC. WAS $1,750.00. FAST FORWARD TO JAN. 9, 2017 ;THE VEHICLE WAS CALLED IN TO BE INSPECTED FOR CORROSION OF FRONT CROSS MEMBER. MISUBISHI APPLIED ANTI RUST AGENTS TO THE CROSS MEMBERS IN QUESTION. THIS IS A SECONDARY ISSUE THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST I PAID FOR THE FUEL TANK ISSUE AND THE CORROSION ISSE OF THE CROSS MEMBERS. HOWEVER PRIMARILY MY CONCERN IS I QUESTION THE SAFETY OF EACH MATTER ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL THAT OTHERS OWNERS MAY BE UNAWARE OF THE CIRCUMSTANES I HAVE LISTED AND JUST MIGHT EXPEREIENCE SOMETHING VERY TRAGIC.

NHTSA ID
11020647
Incident
Apr 28, 2016
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jan 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS UP AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL AND THAT PART OF THE TIRE LINK WAS RUSTED AND SEPARATED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE LINK WAS DAMAGED, BUT WAS NOT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10946716
Incident
Dec 15, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Jan 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (STRUCTURE: BODY) WAS RECEIVED IN AUGUST. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10945006
Incident
Jan 12, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10928549
Incident
Aug 29, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND WOULD TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ID
10906956
Incident
Sep 12, 2016
Mileage
142,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

TSB-23-00-004

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

TSB-23-00-001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

TECH TALK 271

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

TECH TALK 270

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Outlander by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026200—
2025140048.6
2024261055.8
2023452051.5
20222097055.1
2021000—
2020313064.3
2019295067.9
2018556062.7
2017516059.8
20161428052.6
2015525055.7
2014454056.0
2013265161.3
2012226050.5
2011588051.9
20106010049.2
20094613055.2
20085812049.4
20071259051.2
2006Viewing211046.3
2005181042.7
2004524053.7
20031166051.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.