VehicleVerdict

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander sits mid-pack among Outlander years: 81 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 64, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (12), electrical system (10), and engine (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

81

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Outlander years?

See all Outlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1215%
Electrical System1012%
Other810%
Airbags810%
Engine810%
Transmission79%
Visibility & Wipers67%
Driver Assistance56%
Seat Belts34%
Seats34%
Lighting34%
Body & Structure22%
Latches & Locks22%
Speed Control22%
Steering11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V252000Body & StructureApril 20, 2026 · 108,046 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

Consequence

A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.

25V507000Body & StructureAugust 7, 2025 · 121,529 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002

20V403000Seat BeltsJuly 13, 2020 · 177,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.

18V620000Driver AssistanceSeptember 14, 2018 · 9,166 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the FCM-ECU software activates the brake for longer than necessary, the driver may react by applying additional braking. The resulting rapid deceleration of the vehicle can increase the risk of a rear-end collision.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FCM-ECU software with updated software, free of charge. The recall is began October 16, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-007.

18V621000Driver AssistanceSeptember 14, 2018 · 58,916 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the Hydraulic Unit-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-008.

17V609000Electrical SystemSeptember 29, 2017 · 132,552 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

2017 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND DEALERS REFUSAL TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *JS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 15, 2017 · crash

WHEN DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE JERKED AND I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE REAR ENDED VEHICLE INFRONT OF ME. SENSOR DID NOT GO OFF AND VEHICLE WAS AT FAULT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 9, 2019 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE DRIVER TOO TIGHTLY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND COLLAR BONE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 28, 2019 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND EXTREMELY HOT AIR WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. BAKERSFIELD MITSUBISHI [PHONE], 4600 WIBLE RD, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313) TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND REPLICATED THE FAILURE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 19, 2017

I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE JUNE 2019. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED 4 TIMES FOR A MAJOR LEAK WITH A CRAZY RATTLE NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE AC ON. EVENTUALLY THEY REPLACED THE AC ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, IT STILL MAKES THE RATTLING NOISE FROM THE AREA THE LEAK WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 10, 2019

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander — common questions

Is the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

It is close to typical for the Outlander: 81 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Outlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (12 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints), engine (8 complaints).

Does the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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.

How safe is the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.