Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years to avoid (and the best years)
463 NHTSA owner complaints and 26 recalls across 12 model years, 2011 to 2022. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 463complaints
- 26recalls
- 31reported crashes
- 1reported fires
- 27reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years should you avoid?
No Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year has 26 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2015 (182).
What are the best Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years?
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (11), 2021 (17) and 2018 (21). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 11 | 0.4× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 17 | 0.7× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 26 | 1.0× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 26 | 1.0× | 1 | 5 | 5 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 21 | 0.8× | 2 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 27 | 1.0× | 0 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 26 | 1.0× | 8 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 182 | 7.0× | 9 | 2 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2014 | 41 | 1.6× | 6 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2013 | 42 | 1.6× | 10 | 3 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 14 | 0.5× | 6 | 3 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2011 | 30 | 1.2× | 10 | 3 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 85 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain40 (47%)
- Electrical & infotainment17 (20%)
- Airbags & seat belts10 (12%)
- Other systems7 (8%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
Recalls (26)
Transmission · 22V563000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 21V144000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V741000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2016
If the parking brake operating shafts bind, the parking brakes may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brakes do not engage properly, the vehicle could rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 20V279000 · May 2020 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V620000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2018
If the FCM-ECU software activates the brake for longer than necessary, the driver may react by applying additional braking. The resulting rapid deceleration of the vehicle can increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
Safety · 18V621000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2018
If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 18V103000 · Feb 2018 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 18V069000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2011, 2012
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V070000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V609000 · Sep 2017 · model years 2015, 2016
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V233000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2016
If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
Structure · 16V867000 · Dec 2016 · model years 2011, 2012, 2016
If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 16V792000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V563000 · Jul 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V548000 · Jul 2016 · model year 2015
If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may become inoperable, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if leaking transmission fluid contacts an a hot surface there is an increased risk of a fire.
Safety · 15V579000 · Sep 2015 · model year 2011
A vehicle must comply with all regulatory requirements to ensure that it is safe.
Body & glass · 15V233000 · Apr 2015 · model year 2011
Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 14V744000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A loosened and weakened fastener may not be capable of withstanding the load forces associated with a vehicle crash, leaving the seat occupant insufficiently restrained and increasing the risk of injury.
Engine · 14V562000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2011
If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 14V560000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2011
If the pedal is unable to move back to the proper position, the vehicle may not move as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 14V031000 · Feb 2014 · model year 2013
If the wiring is routed incorrectly, using the seat height adjustment may damage the wiring resulting in illumination of the air bag warning light. Subsequently, in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the driver side seat mounted air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Suspension · 13V300000 · Jul 2013 · model year 2013
If the stabilizer link bracket damages the tire and/or brake line, the driver may have more difficulty controlling the steering of the vehicle, or the vehicle may require a longer stopping distance to come to a complete and controlled stop. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 13V255000 · Jun 2013 · model year 2011
Without primer being used, the panoramic glass roof may have reduced adhesion, possibly allowing the glass roof to detach from the vehicle, resulting in a road hazard to other vehicles.
Transmission · 13V116000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2013
If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly other vehicles may not know when the vehicle is stopping. This could increase the risk of a crash. If the shift lever is moved from park without using the brake, the vehicle may roll causing personal injury.
Fuel system · 13V112000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2013
The vehicle operator may believe they have fuel when the tank is actually empty. This could cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 12V001000 · Jan 2012 · model year 2012
THE TURN SIGNAL MAY CONTINUE TO SIGNAL AN INTENDED DIRECTIONAL CHANGE AFTER A POINT WHEN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION, IF OPERATING PROPERLY, WOULD HAVE TERMINATED THE SIGNAL. A FOLLOWING OR ONCOMING DRIVER MAY RECEIVE INACCURATE INDICATIONS OF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR'S INTENDED MANEUVERS, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH BETWEEN VEHICLES DUE TO IMPROPER VEHICLE SIGNALING.