The most-reported Outlander run is JA4J4UA88NZ (2022 builds) with 10 complaints, 5.9× the typical run. Power train problems make up 15% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 2.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 41 recall campaigns for Outlander model years 2003–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mitsubishi Outlander has 707 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Outlander complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA4J4UA88NZ•••••• | 2022 | 1 | — | |
| JA4J4TA83NZ•••••• | 2022 | 1 | — | |
| JA4AZ3A33GZ•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JA4J4TA82NZ•••••• | 2022 | 1 | — | |
| JA4AD3A35GZ•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JA4J4VA80NZ•••••• | 2022 | 1 | — | |
| JA4LZ31G73U•••••• | 2003 | — | 1 | |
| JA4AD3A30GZ•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JA4LX31G83U•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| JA4AZ3A30GZ•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JA4MS31X07U•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| JA4J3VA81NZ•••••• | 2022 | — | — |
Each of the other 695 Outlander runs has 6 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 177 Outlander VINs so far, most often 2024, 2022, 2026 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mitsubishi Outlander the gap between build years is 2.3×: a 2016 car draws 2.5 complaints per run, a 2012 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 24 | 20 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 49 | 27 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 215 | 62 | 14 | |
| 2020 | 30 | 21 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 29 | 23 | 5 | |
| 2018 | 54 | 40 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 50 | 32 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 140 | 56 | 7 | |
| 2015 | 49 | 38 | 5 | |
| 2014 | 39 | 26 | 9 | |
| 2013 | 21 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 20 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 57 | 45 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 57 | 40 | 4 | |
| 2009 | 43 | 31 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 51 | 34 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 113 | 64 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 19 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 18 | 14 | 3 |
Heaviest year here is 2022 at 3.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2012 at 1.1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 15% of everything Mitsubishi Outlander owners report: Power Train, 173 of 1,228 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 5 | — | |
| Electrical System | 8 | 5 | |
| Structure | 8 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 | 1 | |
| Engine | 5 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 25 | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 62 | 2 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 41 recall campaigns on the Mitsubishi Outlander; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2020. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 16V458000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 2003–2013 |
| 26V252000 | Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut | 2014–2020 |
| 25V507000 | Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut | 2014–2020 |
| 16V791000 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages | 2007–2013 |
| 17V461000 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor | 2007–2013 |
| 14V366000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 2007–2013 |
16V458000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2003: 13 years on the road before the recall.
The Outlander against its rivals
The Outlander draws 1.7 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Honda CR-V 3.7 and the Mazda CX-5 2.7. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 1,228 | 707 | 9% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2,107 | 772 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,228 reports on the Mitsubishi Outlander, 9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mitsubishi Outlander | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,228 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 110 (9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 9 (0.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 100 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 55% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mitsubishi Outlander share of that is 1,228 complaints over 707 runs, 0.11% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mitsubishi Outlander VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,228 NHTSA complaints from 707 Outlander runs and 41 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Outlander production run has the most complaints?
JA4J4UA88NZ, a 2022 build, with 10 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Outlander run has 1.7.
Which Outlander years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2022 is heaviest at 3.5 complaints per run and 2012 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Outlander get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
No: 1.7 complaints per production run for the Outlander against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many Outlander complaints involve a crash?
9% of 1,228 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 9 involved a fire.
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