MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

1Recalls
17Complaints
1Investigations
ABOUT THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

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.

VERDICT

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 90 out of 100, an exceptional result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 1 recall on record, reflected in the score.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers 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.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 13.7%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15521

Index breakdown

Crash protection61/70
Avoidance tech10/10
Defect record19/20
Forward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE22V563000

Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.

Reported 2022-08-02

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

17 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

0reported crash
0reported fire
0reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsElectrical System 6Unknown Or Other 4Engine 4Forward Collision Avoidance 3Vehicle Speed Control 2Lane Departure 2

Other Outlander years

Rivals in SUV (2021)

Last verified 2026-07-02. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 15521), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Mitsubishi Outlander 2021. Class rank 26 of 118 in SUV 2021. Methodology · Disclosure