MODEL
Mitsubishi Outlander Safety
NHTSA safety across every Mitsubishi Outlander model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander we cover (2019 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2021 at 90 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 77. 20 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a five-passenger compact SUV that competes in one of the most crowded segments in the American market. Aimed at budget-conscious families who want three-row versatility without a premium price tag, the Outlander has undergone a significant generational shift during our 2019-to-2025 coverage window, moving from a dated but functional platform to a more modern, feature-forward redesign.
The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander achieved the model's highest safety index score across its 2019-2025 range, earning an Exceptional 90 out of 100. This particular year stands as the safety high-water mark for the Outlander. Crash-test results show a solid 5 out of 5 stars for side-impact protection and a respectable 4 out of 5 stars for both frontal and rollover evaluations. However, the Outlander's overall safety index has varied significantly across model years, moving between the Exceptional, Strong, and Average performance bands. The 4-star frontal rating, while adequate, is below the consistent 5-star frontal performance seen in many top compact SUV competitors. Across the six model years, the Outlander accumulated 19 recalls. Owner complaints totaled 358, with 31 reported crashes and 27 reported injuries among those allegations; no deaths were reported in this dataset. Buyers considering any Outlander model year outside of 2021 should consult the specific NHTSA data for that year.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Outlander as a value-oriented compact SUV that improved substantially with its generational redesign, praising the updated interior quality and standard feature content. Most acknowledge that it trails class leaders in driving refinement and powertrain performance, positioning it as a practical choice for shoppers prioritizing affordability and space over outright polish.
- Safety performance varies meaningfully by model year, spanning Exceptional, Strong, and Average NHTSA index bands across 2019-2025, so pulling the score for your specific target year is essential before buying.
- The 2021 model year achieved the highest recorded NHTSA Safety Index of 90 out of 100, making it the standout year for safety within this coverage window.
- Nineteen recalls across six model years is a relatively high count for this segment and shoppers should verify that any used example has had all open recalls resolved through the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- Owner complaints include 31 reported crashes and 27 reported injuries among 358 total allegations, all unverified, which is a complaint volume worth monitoring and cross-referencing with NHTSA investigation records before purchase.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander with 7 recalls.