Which Years Of Used Mitsubishi Outlanders Are Most Reliable?
In the past, Mitsubishi used to be one of the most prominent Japanese automakers, alongside the likes of Honda and Toyota. Over the years, Mitsubishi has taken the backseat, and it’s not as popular as its contemporaries nowadays. However, there’s no doubt that Mitsubishi continues its legacy as a solid and reliable car brand – as demonstrated by its three-row SUV, the Outlander.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the best-selling three-row SUVs in North America, accounting for most of the automaker’s sales. If you’re looking for a used SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander is worthy of a spot on your shortlist. However, not all Outlander years are reliable. In fact, several used Outlander model years must be avoided.
Today, we walk you through several Outlander generations and determine the most reliable Mitsubishi Outlander you can buy as used or avoid altogether. Let’s get to it.
THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER YEARS TO AVOID
If you’re looking to buy a used Mitsubishi Outlander, know that you’re buying a solid SUV. However, there are some Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid due to mechanical issues and other reliability woes.
2003-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander had a rough first outing with its first generation, especially compared to the competition. However, there are some reliable (and not-so-reliable) models to look out for.
Buy: 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
If you can find a well-maintained unit, a used 2003 Outlander can be a great deal. CarComplaints.com listed 100+ complaints and six recalls for this model year. The recalls were about a detached front control arm due to corrosion and non-standard airbags. You can find many owner experiences where they easily put 100-200k+ miles on their Outlander. One sore spot you should look for is the A/C system’s faulty compressors.
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Buy: 2005-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander
The last two first-gen Outlander models are also worth checking out. For instance, the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander only has 27 NHTSA complaints and a single recall about the aforementioned corroded front control arm. There were also several complaints regarding the engine, but they’re relatively minor. Meanwhile, the 2006 Outlander had only a few complaints and the same control arm recall. If you can find a reasonable price for these two models, you should certainly consider getting them.
2007-2013 Mitsubishi Outlander
The second generation brought a redesign that revitalized the Outlander, making it a more competitive small SUV.
Avoid: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander was a bit of a rough start for the second generation of Outlander SUVs. There’s a lot to love here, including a good-looking exterior and a decent number of high-tech interior features. However, it does have several reliability woes, hundreds of complaints, and a staggering nine recalls. Its top issue was the faulty valve stem, which tends to fail and mess up the tire pressure sensors.
Avoid: 2008-2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
While these Mitsubishi Outlander models aren’t the most unreliable ones in the lineup, we recommend doing double-takes when buying these used SUVs. For instance, the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander has fewer than a hundred NHTSA complaints but has gone through 12 recalls involving severe issues. Meanwhile, the 2009 model year has fewer complaints, but with 13 recalls under its belt, it’s hard to recommend a used unit.
Buy: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander
Thankfully, the next Outlander was much better than the starting second-gen models. One of the most common complaints about this model is the squeaky seats, which were relatively minor and something you can fix on your own. There were a few complaints about the transmission, but not to the extent to be considered widespread. With a price range of $6,025 - $7,625 per Consumer Reports, it can be a great deal if you can find a well-maintained unit.
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Buy: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander
In our previous writeup, we picked the 2013 model year as the most reliable Mitsubishi Outlander. If you want a good combination of a newer model and good value, the 2013 Outlander is an easy recommendation from us. It’s also worth noting that this is a three-row SUV, although the third row is best reserved for smaller occupants like children. Reliability-wise, the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander only has 32 NHTSA complaints (as of this writing) and only five recalls.
2014-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
This generation saw several Outlander redesigns. It’s clear that Mitsubishi doesn’t quite know what they want for its flagship SUV.
Avoid: 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander
As per CarComplaints, the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander has one of the most number of complaints in the entire Outlander lineup. Thankfully, it doesn’t have that many complaints and recalls. However, many of its issues can be challenging to overlook. For instance, the main problem with the 2014 Outlander was its safety equipment, namely the airbag system. Several drivers have complained the airbags failed to deploy following an accident, while some reports claimed that the airbag light would randomly come on.
Avoid: 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander is not the most problematic model, not even close. However, like the 2014 model year, the 2015 Outlander had many issues that used car buyers can’t afford to ignore. On top of its list of issues, the 2015 Outlander struggled with automatic transmission issues. Frustrated drivers would hear whining or rattling noises from the engine bay. In some cases, the ‘transmission overheating’ warning light would randomly pop up from the dash. Another top issue for this model year is body integrity problems, including paint chipping at around 11k miles.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
Caution: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is an affordable, used compact SUV that offers a tremendous value proposition. In any other case, we would not hesitate to recommend buying a used 2018 Outlander. Consumer Reports scored the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander with a reliability verdict of 5.0 out of 5.0, making it the most reliable Mitsubishi Outlander according to the popular consumer organization. With standard three-row seating, excellent fuel economy (29 mpg combined), and a great price point, it seems hard to go wrong with a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander.
However, CarComplaints.com declared the 2018 Outlander as the worst model year, no thanks to some relatively minor, albeit annoying issues such as premature brake wear (happens at very low mileage), defective alternator, and paint chipping. If you’re looking to buy a used 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, it’s best to consult a mechanic for an inspection.
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