Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2017 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints for the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve service brakes (12) and air bags (8). The EPA rates it 23–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2026
Owner complaints
51
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Apr 21, 2026NHTSA 26V252000

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Aug 8, 2025NHTSA 25V507000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Jul 13, 2020NHTSA 20V403000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

51 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2017 – May 2026
  1. Service brakes12
  2. Air bags8
  3. Engine8
  4. Electrical system8
  5. Power train7
  6. Forward collision avoidance3
  7. Visibility/wiper3
  8. Visibility3
  9. Seat belts3

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
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

12 reports5 crashes
“The electric parking break was stuck and alarm going off. Only used ebrake maybe 5 times in the years I have had my car. This time was I used it while parked on a hill. The ebrake would not disengage properly. Dealer says need a new one, even though the electric parking brake now engages and releases ok, just the alarm won't go off. Then I learned that there was a recall for the 2016 Outlanders for the parking brake not engaging/disengaging properly. Why is there not a recall for the 2017 Outlanders with this problem?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2024Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11625635

Air bags

8 reports3 crashes
“THE SERVICE AIRBAG SOON LIGHT IS ON. WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC IT DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING IN THE COMPUTER. THE MIDDLE ROW MIDDLE AND RIGHT SIDE SEATBELTS ARE DIFFERENT SIZES AND PASSENGERS GET STUCK IF THEY PUT THE LATCH IN THE WRONG ONE. RUNNING BOARD CLIPS PASSENGER SIDE KEEP BREAKING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2020Air bags, Seat belts, StructureODI 11307249

Engine

8 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering, and it was difficult to stabilize the steering wheel before the vehicle shut off. The check transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called an independent mechanic who was unable to locate a transmission fault. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to a Mitsubishi dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11723534
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium 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 9, 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
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253027$2,300330
Outlander 4WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
242926$2,400340
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350388
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    24 city · 29 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 11119Vehicle 11118
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

2017 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (12), air bags (8), engine (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026