Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact state that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and then stalled. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle lunged forward then inadvertently increased in speed. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while shifted in reverse(R), the vehicle rolled forward and failed to reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle randomly shuddered. The transmission service required warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that VIN was previously repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Purchased used car in July 2024 and was able to drive it maybe 2 months and the transmission would not shift and would come to a complete stop. Not a safe feeling driving in 3 lanes of traffic on a busy highway at rush hour. Transmission light on and took to mechanic and was told this make and model is notorious for transmission failure and it needs replacing. The odometer is 86316 and car has been sitting now for two years. Of course we went exactly 100 miles over the warranty and now have to pay 5000-9000 dollars for a replacement with no guarantee warranty. So now we have the car paid off and can't drive it because it's out of budget to replace. Thanks a lot Mitsubishi for nothing.
I was driving on the highway on a trip and out of no where my car shuttered and then flashed service transmission soon, I pulled over and my car would no longer drive, reverse or go into neutral. The tow company reset my battery to try to reset my car system. After that my car wouldn't really go past 60. I followed the tow truck to the nearest town and it stalled again at the light and I could no longer go at all, my car locked up and wouldn't reset at that point. It's an $1100 tow back home. The CVT transmission really needs to be rechecked and recalled. I've found too many issues and the same complaints but can't find a recall on it at all.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a delay in the vehicle response with the vehicle jerking. The contact also stated that the throttle position sensor was failing. There was an oxygen sensor warning light illuminated. The oxygen sensor was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed; however, there were no failure codes retrieved. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
While driving to work at approximately 6:30 am , as I was signaling to merge onto the on ramp the cars gas pedal stop controlling the speed of my car. I pulled over to the side of the road and my car would not move. I tried to put the heat shifter into park but it was stuck in drive. I had to have the towed to a mechanic which informed me that I needed a new transmission. (3 different independent shops). After being told what it would cost to repair the vehicle the vehicle is still parked in my driveway.
My car has a major problem with acceleration hesitation in transmisson that has almost caused several accidents. Also whenever I ride down the road and hit the minute bump my steering jerk really bad and it happens on both sides causing me to jerk steering wheel almost run off the road several times.
Purchased my used vehicle at my local dealer, in which,they just received into inventory and had not been reconditioned at all ,prepping for Resale,but this vehicle was still offered to me in a nonformal fashion; since my low credit,low deposit,and prior repos that It be best if I choose that one. the vehicle has displayed symptoms of shuddering since day one. Test drive was uneventful since we remained low speed.however, Immediately and if ever drive 55-75mph there would have shuddering and erratic rpm readings but would settle once slowed and time passed.the dealer was informed the next day of this + of all oil change,car wash,detail, inspection,etc. …
My car hesitates to accelerate after slowing down or when I try to accelerate after stopping. Mycar will jump for one second or so, then totally fails to accelerate. The engine will stay queit for couple second even if I step on the gas as hard as I can. Then after several seconds, my RPM wil jump to around 5000rpm without any sign. There were several close calls for me in the past few month. When I just entered a roundabout, the issue occured and my car won't accelerate. I almost got rearened by other cars that were already in the roundabout. I got the recall notice months ago, and I went to the dealership to fix the problem. I was told there is a problem in the programming, and I should be all set after they updated my car's system. However, I have been experiencing the issue in past couple months. …
I was driving on a highway when the transmission started feeling like it was slipping. I pulled over checked all the fluids and everything was fine. I was miles from the nearest town. So I started driving again and 2 miles down the road the transmission light came on. When this happened the car stopped accelerating and started revving up. I turned the hazard on and pulled off onto the side of a busy highway. I tried to accelerate again and the engine reved again. I turned the car off and started it again the transmission light went off. I put the car in reverse and was able to back up to get further over off the road. I tried to put it in drive and the car wouldn't move but the light remained off. I called a tow truck and had to have it towed to a safe location. I took it to a dealer ship and they claimed it was the CVT and it was internal. I would have to have to whole unit replaced. …
At only 76,000 miles, my vehicle started to shudder when going anywhere from 10 MPH-40 MPH. This started when I was on a city street but continued on the highway. There is a lag in acceleration when going from neutral to drive. My transmission service light and check engine light went on so, I took the car in to a Mitsubishi dealership and they notified me that after the diagnostic test and test driving it, they simply had to reset the sensor. After leaving the dealership, the transmission service light went on and my car was still shuddering when trying to accelerate. After getting a transmission service, which is what I was advised to do by the Mitsubishi mechanics, the problem still persisted. I bought this car used from the dealership with only 40,000 miles. At 76,000 there should not be any major transmission or engine issues. …
Acceleration complaints in other Outlander Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 14% of the model year's 182 complaints. The component named most often is throttle (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
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.