Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Problems by Year

We compared every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model year from 2011–2023 using 472 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 26 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2015, which drew far more complaints than other Outlander Sport years at the same age. The best years are 2012, 2022 and 2023.

13model years
472complaints
26recalls
2015worst years
2012, 2022best years

Complaints by model year

201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202330144241182262721262619117
Owner complaints per model year, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20237−18%—Collision AvoidanceAverage
202211−19%1TransmissionAverage
2021191.2×1EngineAverage
2020261.2×1EngineAverage
201926typical1TransmissionAverage
201821−18%2ElectricalAverage
201727typical—ElectricalAverage
201626typical8EngineAverage
20151826.0×9TransmissionAvoid
2014411.2×6TransmissionAverage
2013421.2×10ElectricalAverage
201214−59%6AirbagGood
201130typical10EngineAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Outlander Sport year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Latest Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls

Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software

NHTSA recall 22V-563 · Aug 2, 2022 · 76,508 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems.

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.

Structure › Frame and members

NHTSA recall 21V-144 · Mar 5, 2021 · 15,347 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,…

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied, or the front cross member will be replaced…

Parking brake

NHTSA recall 20V-741 · Nov 30, 2020 · 21,758 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts could have been peeled off during the assembly process.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.

Structure › Frame and members

NHTSA recall 20V-279 · May 18, 2020 · 141,200 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced…

Forward collision avoidance › Software › Pedestrian/cyclist/object/obstacle/ recognition

NHTSA recall 18V-620 · Sep 14, 2018 · 9,166 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Outlander Sport, 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross, and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system that detects pedestrians.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FCM-ECU software with updated software, free of charge. The recall is began October 16, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.

All 26 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport should you avoid?

2015 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Outlander Sport years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2015.

What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other Outlander Sport years at the same age, followed by 2022 and 2023. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (177), engine & cooling (94) and electrical system (85). Transmission complaints peak in the 2015 model year.

How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport had?

26 recalls across 2011–2023. The model year with the most is 2011. See all Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.