The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander2005
200420061st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,848 in the U.S. in 2005 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota RAV42005 Honda CR-V 842005 Ford Escape 127
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 16V458000 (suspension) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Suspension noises after strut installation”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 4 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Suspension noises after strut installation
- Suspension noises
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross me.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Outlander recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/?y=2005" title="Mitsubishi Outlander reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,848 were sold in the U.S. in 2005 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (50%), airbags (25%) and suspension (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
1 safety recall (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Outlander year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2003 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works