2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (4) · Seat Belts (3) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (10)
Structure:frame And Members 2020-05-18 · campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles
Defect: 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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower c
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages 2018-02-09 · campaign 18V103000 · 158,651 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.
Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V069000 · 141,053 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:hinge And Attachments 2016-12-02 · campaign 16V867000 · 50,228 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.
Risk: 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.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2016-10-31 · campaign 16V792000 · 93,801 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.
Risk: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.
Equipment:other:labels 2015-09-21 · campaign 15V579000 · 2 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured on December 3, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with incorrect certification labels that were installed during manufacturing. The incorrect labels do not have the correct vehicle identification numbers (VIN) printed on the label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Risk: A vehicle must comply with all regulatory requirements to ensure that it is safe.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will install corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-010.
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor 2015-04-20 · campaign 15V233000 · 76,958 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the a
Risk: 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.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2014-09-12 · campaign 14V560000 · 2 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured on September 3, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the switch sleeve in the brake booster may crack and prevent the brake pedal from returning properly.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-008.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2014-09-12 · campaign 14V562000 · 165,923 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachme
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2013-06-20 · campaign 13V255000 · 3,181 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, through March 29, 2011. The panoramic glass roof may have been installed without primer being applied before the adhesive.
Risk: 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.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners and dealers will inspect the panoramic glass to see if primer was installed. If primer is not present, the glass will be reinstalled. The recall began on July 8, 2013. MMNA's recall number is SR-13-007. Customers may contact MMNA at 1-888-648-7820.
Service bulletins (131)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seat Belts 2025-11-21 · TECH TALK 289 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-08-07 · TECH TALK 281 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Electrical System 2024-07-23 · TSB-16-54-001REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin instructs the dealer to update the hands free module software to improve the bluetooth connection when certain devices are connected to wi‐fi.
Power Train 2024-06-03 · TSB-24-23-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the automatic transaxle sections of the applicable service manuals.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Showing the 6 most recent of 131 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-17 · Visibility · 113,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated while driving 50 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers were fully engaged; however, wiper motor failed to operate as intended. the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle, creating a visibility hazard. no warning light…”
2024-06-01 · Structure:body“not starting due to corrosion issues…”
2024-01-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 133,025 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated while driving approximately 25–30 mph, the vehicle stalled. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the check engine, 4-wd, abs, traction control, and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. …”
2021-09-30 · Suspension · 43,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 20v279000 (structure, suspension) however, the contact was unable to schedule the recall repair because she was unable to get a response from the dealer. the contact stated while driving 45-50 mph, she heard an abnormally loud s…”
2019-06-16 · Power Train“i know this car has four recalls on it. but i'm having issues with what it feels like to be the transmission. i have been googling slow or sluggish acceleration issues and other people have been having the same problem. then i came across a recall for the outlander sport involving the cvt in newer models. i don't know if those cvt issues are the s…”
2019-04-01 · Engine · 166 mi“i noticed just recently when i was on a long distance road trip that my transmission overheating light was coming on? i had to pull over a couple times and let it cool down before i could continue... it is very dangerous and no one at mitsubishi or other shops knows whats wrong? please help…”
2019-02-17 · Seats · 58,757 mi“the seat heating burned the seat( driver seat) reaching burning me on my upper leg…”
2018-12-03 · Seat Belts · 70,000 mi“i own a 2011 mitsubishi outlander sport. the driver seat belt clicks as if it is fastened correctly then moments later it will pop out as if it were never attached. this is a huge safety risk for anyone who is driving the vehicle.…”
2018-04-03 · Seat Belts · 98,990 mi“engine light came on steady with the engine bucking, surging, losing r.p.m.'s while driving and stalling after coming to a full stop. *two (2) o2 sensors were replaced, computer re-programed, one (1) of the two (2) sensors replaced again, with a final repair to a suspected air leak which finally,after 3-4 weeks, cleared the light from coming back o…”
2018-02-20 · Visibility:windshield“2011 mitsubishi overland. consumer writes in regards to vehicle not passing inspection due to thin brake pads and too many knicks in the windshield. *ld the consumer stated the failures were discovered two weeks after purchasing the vehicle. the dealer did not offer any assistance with having the vehicle repaired. *js…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.