VehicleVerdict

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

25

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Outlander years?

Outlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted312 complaints2003: 149 complaints2004: 73 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 25 complaints2007: 175 complaints2008: 80 complaints2009: 61 complaints2010: 76 complaints2011: 88 complaints2012: 34 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 58 complaints2015: 79 complaints2016: 202 complaints2017: 81 complaints2018: 80 complaints2019: 46 complaints2020: 44 complaints2022: 312 complaints2023: 64 complaints2024: 37 complaints2025: 19 complaints2026: 6 complaints
Outlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting728%
Suspension624%
Electrical System416%
Brakes28%
Fuel System28%
Body & Structure28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Speed Control14%

Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V458000SuspensionJune 23, 2016 · 194,674 units

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.

Consequence

A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 12, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CROSSED THREE ONCOMING LANES AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 15, 2016 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 3, 2013

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 6, 2013

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 12, 2017

2006 Mitsubishi Outlander — common questions

Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 Outlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (7 complaints), suspension (6 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outlander years to avoid are 2022, 2016, 2007, 2003. The cleanest record among Outlander years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.