Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 21 owner complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (7) and suspension (6). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
21
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
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 Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

21 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2006 – Mar 2026
  1. Exterior lighting7
  2. Suspension6
  3. Electrical system4
  4. Fuel/propulsion system2
  5. Structure2
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Visibility/wiper1
  8. Vehicle speed control1

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
2015235
2016171
201751
201857
201929
202032
2022219
202350
202426
202515
20263
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

7 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2016Exterior lightingODI 10906956

Suspension

6 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2019SuspensionODI 11270850

Electrical system

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2015Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10785767
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 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 Nov 10, 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$2,850404
Outlander 2WD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
Outlander 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,100444
  • Outlander 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1944
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

2006 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (7), suspension (6), electrical system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026