2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport over 6 years — 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Outlander Sport years here — over the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Control module, software.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — Photo by Alex Neman, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (6 of 19), then Engine (5) and Forward collision avoidance (3).

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Outlander Sport has 26 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2022 has 11 complaints, 3 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (1)

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, control module, software 2022-08-02 · NHTSA campaign 22V563000

Summary Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio at high speeds, which can result in an engine stall.

Remedy Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.

Complaints by component (19 total)

Electrical system

Engine

Forward collision avoidance

Powertrain

Speed control

Lane departure

Back-over prevention

Engine and engine cooling

Fuel and propulsion system

Seat belts

Show 2 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"I own a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Mitsubishi's records show that Safety Recall C2204R/SR-22-004 was previously completed on my vehicle. This recall addressed improper CVT-ECU software programming that could cause…"
Powertrain, Speed control · filed 2026-09-22
"At freeway speeds in the heat the vehicle intermittently and suddenly flashes yellow check engine light and vehicle shakes as it loses most of the engine power, forcing a slow or stop to "limp it" off the highway. No…"
Engine · filed 2026-09-19
"The brand new from the factory transmission that got replaced at a dealership to “fix” the initial recall stalled and went into limp mode while driving at under 50,000 miles."
Unknown or other · filed 2026-03-25
"The contact owns a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was stolen from the vehicle, and a new catalytic converter was installed. The contact stated that while driving at an…"
Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-01-09
"I was turning out of my neighborhood and as I accelerated to merge with traffic my car started jerking. My dashboard “D” symbol only started flashing on and off and then my transmission service required light came on,…"
Speed control, Unknown or other, Lane departure · filed 2025-11-06

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2021 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT SUV AWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2021 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

Outlander Sport (ASX), 2012–present

Body styles Crossover

Oil 0W-20 (2.0L; CVT models may use slightly higher capacity) , 4.5 qt capacity

Tire size 225/55R18

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-620 covers certain 2018 Outlander Sport vehicles (and Outlander, Outlander PHEV, and 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross) equipped with Forward Collision Mitigation: software may not correctly control the system. Dealers update software. Recall 18V-621 covers certain 2018 Outlander Sport with FCM (and related models) for a related forward-collision mitigation software concern as described in that campaign.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Next year 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport See every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?

What are common problems with a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (6 of 19), then Engine (5) and Forward collision avoidance (3).

Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport been recalled?

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with NHTSA.

What oil does a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport take?

US 2.0L models commonly use 0W-20 (about 4.5 qt with filter; CVT models may use a slightly higher capacity).

Does recall 18V-620 cover the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

It covers certain 2018 Outlander Sport vehicles (with Outlander, Outlander PHEV, and 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross) with Forward Collision Mitigation: software may not correctly control braking; dealers update software.

What generation is the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

GK generation for the US years this site tracks (2012 onward).