Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idling, and the failure mainly occurred while the air conditioning system was activated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds or from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and responded upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while reversing. The contact stated that the failure had caused the vehicle to bump into nearby curbs while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the dealer cleaned the throttle body. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately 4 to 5 times. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. …
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and jerking with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle was not operating normally. The vehicle was towed to the residence and the contact became aware that transmission fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V548000 (Power Train) but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 77,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH or various speeds, the vehicle started to hesitate. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated and decelerated inadvertently. The contact also stated that the hesitation also occurred while coasting down an incline with his foot not depressing the accelerator. The contact stated that the check transmission warning light would illuminate. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer where several older recall repairs were performed. The dealer advised the contact that only NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train) needed to be repaired. The recall was not repaired. The failure was reoccurring. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to shift to reverse(R). The warning message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the transmission. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000(Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,429.
The contact's wife owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The independent mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to a transmission specialist for repair. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V548000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The VIN was invalid.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the gear independently shifted causing the engine to rev up and then immediately shifted back into the intended gear and stabilized. The vehicle failed to accelerate without a slight hesitation at a rate slower than intended. The Service Engine and Transmission Failure warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the VIN not being included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal as the transmission symbol would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they informed him that he had a defective CVT transmission module that needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked his failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000(POWER TRAIN). The contact was then informed by the dealer that his vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated with the RPM's fluctuating before the vehicle stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined there was a general failure with the powertrain. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,484.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the transmission. The contact stated that upon the depression of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to stall as the service transmission warning message appeared on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her home where it remained in her possession. Upon investigation, she discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V548000 (Power Train) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.
Remedy: MMNA has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the CVT control unit with modified software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured June 25, 2014, through November 25, 2015 and equipped with a 2.0L engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hose clamps, correcting their installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016.
Transmission complaints in other Outlander Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
NHTSA has 117 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 64% of the model year's 182 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › internal › cvt (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-563 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Jul 28, 2016); NHTSA recall 16V-548 (cooling unit and lines, Jul 22, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 28% 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.