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2006 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 15, 2016

REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHTS HAVE CORROSION ISSUES AT THE CONNECTION FROM THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE BULB ASSEMBLY. NORMALLY ONLY BULB REPLACEMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED, BUT THE BULB WAS GOOD, THE WIRING HARNESS IS WHAT CORRODED. DEFINITELY A RISK OF SHORTING EXISTS. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN A YEAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND WERE REPLACED BY NEW FACTORY ASSEMBLIES WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT DESIGN THAN WHAT WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY. THESE ASSEMBLIES OF NEW DESIGN DO NOT HAVE REPLACEABLE BULBS. DUE TO THE CORROSION AT THE HARNESS, PROPER REPAIR REQUIRES SOLDERING AND SEALING THE NEW ASSEMBLY TO THE OLD WIRES, AS THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT SOCKET FOR THESE WIRES. WHEN COUPLED WITH POTENTIAL FUEL FILLER NECK LEAKS AS REPORTED IN OTHER COMPLAINT, THIS DEFECTIVE DESIGN WITH POTENTIAL FOR SHORTING (AND NO PROPER METHOD OF REPAIR SHORT OF SPLICING) COULD POSE A RATHER SERIOUS SAFETY RISK.

NHTSA ID 10875379 · filed Jun 20, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11725304 · filed Mar 18, 2026

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 · filed Oct 24, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HORRIBLE DESIGN ON PRIMARY LOWER BEAMS H1 BULBS HEADLIGHTS. SOCKET BECOMES LOOSE AND/OR FUSING TIGHT AND BURNS OUT QUICKLY. SAME DESIGN AS SOME JAPAN MODELS LIKE HONDA ELEMENT USE OF H1 BULB AND STANLEY SOCKET IS SO DYSFUNCTIONAL. I INSTALLED SECONDARY FOGLIGHT SYSTEM RUNNING ON OTHER LINES - SINCE LIGHTS GO OUT A LOT EASY IN SNOW AND RAIN. ITS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YRS, I BOUGHT CAR USED.

NHTSA ID 10785767 · filed Oct 24, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BLACKED OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO TAP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN ORDER FOR IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID 10577194 · filed Apr 3, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 20, 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 · filed Jan 13, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 20, 2017

ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI ALL OUTLANDER 2006 TRIM/MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH ABS, RECENTLY I NOTICED THAT MY CAR IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, ACCORDING TO SEVERAL INTERNET SITES ABS IS STANDARD FEATURE ON ALL MODELS, *TR

NHTSA ID 10533944 · filed Aug 6, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 30, 2017

FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE CORROSION, CAUSING SMELL OF FUEL WHEN FILLING VEHICLE, THEN TROUBLE CODE P0456: EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED (VERY SMALL LEAK) TO APPEAR. ADDITIONAL LEAK OF FUEL FROM A LEAKING FUEL TANK BY FILLER NECK CONNECTION THAT LEAKED FUEL ON GROUND WHEN VEHICLE PARKED FACING UPHILL, ALSO DUE TO CORROSION. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FILLER NECK AND TANK. SIMILAR ERA VEHICLE (2004−2010 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR) HAS RECALL SR−11−001 FOR SIMILAR DEFECT. MECHANIC STATED HIS DATABASE OF TROUBLE CODES AND THEIR CAUSES SHOWS CORROSION OF FILLER NECK AND TANK AS MOST COMMON CAUSES FOR THIS CODE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 142000 MILES AND HAS BEEN IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SINCE PURCHASE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO MITSUBISHI, CASE NUMBER 1-257323494, MARIUS WAS THE CASE MANAGER, WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING ISSUES SUCH AS THIS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND (AS EXPECTED) THAT MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT OFFER REPAIR ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND.

NHTSA ID 10875370 · filed Jun 20, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS PEDAL ONLY HAD A ONE INCH CLEARANCE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONSULTED, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 10163515 · filed Jul 26, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE HEADLIGHTS, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, KEEP BURNING OUT. EVEN A BRAND NEW BULB WILL BURN OUT MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS EVEN WITH THE GLOVE BOX STOCKED FULL OF NEW BULBS. IT APPEARS THERE MAY BE A LEAK IN THE SEALS (AND MOISTURE GETS ON THE HALOGEN BULBS). THE LIGHTS ARE ALSO QUITE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE ( EVEN THOUGH I HAVE CHANGED THEM ABOUT 20 TIMES). THIS IS A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT UNITS PER MY MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ID 10625839 · filed Aug 17, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .