CarBrief

NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander, led by electrical, brakes and air bags[1][2][3][4]. Six recalls are on file, including a liftgate gas spring recall that is among the newest[5][6].

78owner complaints[1]
6recalls[5]
23–27MPG combined (EPA)[7]
4–5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 78 owner complaints for this model year[1]. 11 of them mention a crash and 6 mention an injury, with no fires or deaths reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports. One complaint can name more than one component, so the groups below add up to more than the total.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries Median miles at failure
Electrical system[2] 19 1 0 38,000
Brakes[3] 14 6 2 26,500
Air bags[4] 14 7 4 33,870
Engine[9] 13 1 0 30,991
Power train[10] 13 0 0 66,088

Seat belts and visibility/wiper each have 5 complaints[11][12]. Another 10 name an unknown or other group[13]. Brakes and air bags have the most crash and injury mentions, but the counts are small.

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. Here is what owners describe, not how common it is.

We do not have enough text for the engine group to describe a theme. Its 13 complaints are listed in the table[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[5]. Each covers certain vehicles, not every 2017 Outlander. The remedy is free in every case, and owner letters have gone out for the two newest. Newest first:

To ask about a specific car, the recall notices list Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820[6].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists several versions for this model year. Pick the row that matches the car you are looking at. Annual cost is the EPA estimate using its current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[7].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Outlander 2WD, 2.4L, Automatic (AV-S6)[7] 25 / 30 / 27 $2,500
Outlander 4WD, 2.4L, Automatic (AV-S6)[19] 24 / 29 / 26 $2,600
Outlander 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), premium fuel[20] 20 / 27 / 23 $3,550
Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L, Manual 5-spd[21] 23 / 29 / 25 $2,700
Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L, Automatic (AV-S6)[22] 24 / 30 / 27 $2,500
Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.0L, Automatic (AV-S6)[23] 23 / 29 / 26 $2,600
Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.4L, Automatic (AV-S6)[24] 23 / 28 / 25 $2,700
Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.4L, Automatic (AV-S6)[25] 22 / 27 / 24 $2,800

The 3.0L 6-cylinder is the thirstiest at 23 MPG combined and the only one listed for premium fuel[20]. The best combined figure is 27 MPG[7][22].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists separate 5-Star ratings by version[8]. All four listings below get 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover[8][26][27][28].

Engine and size

The EPA lists three engines for the 2017 Outlander:

These are the ratings for EPA test vehicles. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same for all three versions we have.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
ES FWD[32] 185 in 71 in 66 in 105 in 3,252 lb
ES AWC[33] 185 in 71 in 66 in 105 in 3,384 lb
SE/GT S AWC[34] 185 in 71 in 66 in 105 in 3,516 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2003: 116 complaints, 6 recalls20032004: 52 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2006: 21 complaints, 1 recalls20062007: 125 complaints, 9 recalls2008: 58 complaints, 12 recalls2009: 46 complaints, 13 recalls20092010: 60 complaints, 10 recalls2011: 88 complaints, 14 recalls2012: 36 complaints, 10 recalls20122013: 68 complaints, 14 recalls2014: 86 complaints, 9 recalls2015: 235 complaints, 12 recalls20152016: 171 complaints, 11 recalls2017: 78 complaints, 6 recalls7820172018: 93 complaints, 6 recalls20182019: 56 complaints, 6 recalls2020: 57 complaints, 4 recalls2021: 19 complaints, 3 recalls20212022: 229 complaints, 10 recalls2023: 58 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 27 complaints, 1 recalls20242025: 18 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 6 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Outlander model year. The 2017 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20031166
2004524
2005191
2006211
20071259
20085812
20094613
20106010
20118814
20123610
20136814
2014869
201523512
201617111
2017786
2018936
2019566
2020574
2021193
202222910
2023582
2024271
2025182
202661

In NHTSA's counts for each Outlander model year, 2017 has 78 complaints and 6 recalls[5]. The nearby years look like this[5]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2015 235 12
2016 171 11
2017 78 6
2018 93 6
2019 56 6
2020 57 4

The 2017 model year has fewer complaints than 2015, 2016 and 2018, and more than 2019 and 2020. Its 6 recalls match 2018 and 2019 and are fewer than 2015 and 2016[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2017 Outlander?

The 2017 Outlander has fewer complaints than 2015, 2016 and 2018 and more than 2019 and 2020[5]. The reports that stand out are brakes and air bags, because they carry the most crash and injury mentions, and electrical problems, which are the largest group[2][3][4]. In the complaint sample we read, transmission trouble shows up at higher mileage and battery or starting trouble shows up in several texts[10][2]. Six recalls are on file with free dealer fixes, so ask the seller for proof that the ones covering this car were done, including the liftgate springs[6][14][18]. A test drive that checks the brakes, the starting and the way the car accelerates is a sensible step, and fuel cost depends a lot on the version you find[20][7].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander?
NHTSA has 78 complaints[1]. The largest groups are electrical with 19[2], brakes with 14[3] and air bags with 14[4].
Does the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering liftgate gas springs, a rear seat belt buckle, brake and pedestrian braking software and starter relays[5][6][14][15][16][17][18].
What gas mileage does the 2017 Outlander get?
The EPA combined rating runs from 23 MPG for the 3.0L 6-cylinder to 27 MPG for the best 2WD versions[20][7][22].
How safe is the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander?
NHTSA gives the all-wheel drive Outlander 5 stars overall and the front-wheel drive Outlander 4 stars[8][26].
Is 2017 a good year for the Outlander?
It has fewer complaints than 2015, 2016 and 2018 and more than 2019 and 2020, but counts are not adjusted for sales[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander (11 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 19 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 14 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 14 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,870). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mitsubishi Outlander model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 26V252, filed April 20, 2026: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate › Support Device / Strut. NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Outlander 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 13 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,991). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,088). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,550). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 10 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 25V507, filed August 7, 2025: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate › Support Device / Strut. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 20V403, filed July 13, 2020: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V621, filed September 14, 2018: Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 18V620, filed September 14, 2018: Forward Collision Avoidance › Software › Pedestrian / Cyclist / Object / Obstacle / Recognition. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 17V609, filed September 29, 2017: Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Outlander 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Outlander 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  28. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 148 hp. www.epa.gov
  30. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 166 to 168 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  31. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 224 hp. www.epa.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OUTLANDER 4DR SUV ES FWD: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,252 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OUTLANDER 4DR SUV ES AWC: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,384 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  34. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OUTLANDER 4DR SUV SE/GT S AWC: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,516 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.