Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 19 owner complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve suspension (9) and structure (3). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
19
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 23, 2016NHTSA 16V458000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

19 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2005 – Aug 2026
  1. Suspension9
  2. Structure3
  3. Power train3
  4. Steering2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Exterior lighting1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Visibility1
  9. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Outlander model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003129
200452
200519
200621
2007125
200858
200946
201060
201188
201236
201368
201445
2015238
2016171
201751
201857
201929
202032
2022219
202350
202426
202516
20263
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

9 reports2 crashes
“This vehicle recieved the [XXX] recall treatment in 2019 but the crossmember snapped anyway in april 2026. It snapped all the way through on the driverside causing the wheel to go completely sideways pulling out the cv axle with it, smashing into the wheel well and fender making the driverside door inoperable, and causing the TOTAL loss of control and needed emergency towing off the roadway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11757335

Structure

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE DRIVER'S FEET. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL HAD SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS CAMBERED IN AND RESTING ON THE FRONT FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM EXTREME CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.*DT*BF*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VHEICLE IS NOW REPAIRED. *AS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2020Suspension, StructureODI 11366603

Power train

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2015Power train, Electrical systemODI 10733961
All 2005 Outlander problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S4)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outlander 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192522$2,900404
Outlander 2WD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Outlander 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
  • Outlander 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1424
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (9), structure (3), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026