This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Mitsubishi Outlander lighting problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
When does it fail?
Of the 5 lighting complaints filed for the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Lighting accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The headlight bulbs keep burning out. First one side goes. I replace the bulb and the other side burns out. Then both bulbs on the one side burns out. I replace them and the 2 bulbs on the other side burn out. Dec 21, 2015 all of the headlight bulbs burned out . Not only is this costing a lot of money in mechanic fees but I also got a ticket for a burned out headlight set of bulb on one side I…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi outlander. While driving 25 MPH, the headlights and tail lights malfunctioned. The contact stated that the headlights and tail lights were very dim and would turn on and off intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 142,000.
The headlights, both driver and passenger side, keep burning out. Even a brand new bulb will burn out making night driving dangerous even with the glove box stocked full of new bulbs. It appears there may be a leak in the seals (and moisture gets on the halogen bulbs). The lights are also quite difficult to change ( even though I have changed them about 20 times). This is a dangerous malfunction…
As reported by several other owners of the 2006 model outlander, which was the only model year to use this specific headlight unit, the low beam bulbs have serious and significant longevity issues. Starting somewhat prior to 2012, I have not been able to keep a low beam bulb (h1 kind) functional for longer than 6-7 months prior to it burning out. I have purchased every brand of bulb,…
Rear side marker lights have corrosion issues at the connection from the wiring harness to the bulb assembly. Normally only bulb replacement would be required, but the bulb was good, the wiring harness is what corroded. Definitely a risk of shorting exists. This occurred within a year on both sides of the vehicle and were replaced by new factory assemblies which have a different design than…
Had lighting trouble with your 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 108,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mitsubishi/Outlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.