Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2012 drew the fewest (14) and the 2015 the most (182).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Air bags | 4★ | 25–26 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
2 | 0 | Back over prevention | 4★ | 25–26 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | Back over prevention | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2022 | 11 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 6 | Air bags | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
19 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
21 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2016 | 26 | 8 | Engine | 4★ | 24–27 |
| 2019 | 26 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2020 | 26 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 25–27 |
| 2017 | 27 | 0 | Electrical system | 4★ | 24–27 |
| 2011 | 30 | 10 | Engine | — | 26–27 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
41 | 6 | Power train | 4★ | 26 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
42 | 10 | Air bags | 4★ | 26–27 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
182 | 9 | Power train | 4★ | 24–28 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 182 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 117 (64%); Engine 35 (19%); Vehicle speed control 25 (14%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 47,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 42 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 11 (26%); Electrical system 11 (26%); Structure 5 (12%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,018 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 41 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 14 (34%); Service brakes 9 (22%); Electrical system 5 (12%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 59,800 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years with the fewest complaints
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 6 (43%); Electrical system 2 (14%); Engine 2 (14%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 52,900 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 6 (32%); Engine 5 (26%); Forward collision avoidance 3 (16%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 7 (33%); Air bags 6 (29%); Power train 5 (24%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 33,870 |
| 2016 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36,700 |
| 2015 | 182 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 47,000 |
| 2014 | 41 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 59,800 |
| 2013 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 62,018 |
| 2012 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 52,900 |
| 2011 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 85,603 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls
- Parking Brake Actuators may Corrode (2013–2016 model years; 170,354 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2018; 18V070000)
- Drive Belt may Detach due to Worn Engine Pulley (2011 model year; 165,923 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2014; 14V562000)
- Wiper Link Can Corrode Due to Moisture Exposure (2011–2016 model years; 158,651 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2018; 18V103000)
- Lower Control Arm May Detach Due to Corrosion (2011–2016 model years; 141,200 vehicles across all models; filed May 2020; 20V279000)
- Belt Tensioner may Break Allowing Belt to Detach (2011–2012 model years; 141,053 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2018; 18V069000)
All 26 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recall campaigns · Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years FAQ
Which Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2012 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (14). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2015, 2013 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (178 of 476 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns covering the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.