The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander Sport2013
201220141st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: engine
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 26–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Toyota Venza 572013 Mazda CX-9 852013 Mitsubishi Outlander
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V144000 (suspension), 20V279000 (body structure) and 18V103000 (visibility) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 166 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “During or after snowy conditions, the check engine and abs warning lights will illuminated”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 79K miles (26K to 127K km) on the car (8 of all 8 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.9M views · 2011–2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- Gauges, lights & wiring630K views
How to reset oil light: 2011-Present Mitsubishi Outlander SportUncharted Adventures WV · 493K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical345K views
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport No Crank - Battery Light On - Towed In DiagnosisSouth Main Auto LLC · 128K views · 7 videos - Oil changes & service102K views
How to: Change the Oil on a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (2015)LittleFixersClub · 87K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door45K views
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport A/C Not WorkingAl Young Cuda · 32K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter43K views
2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT | MOTOR MOUNTS & TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPAIR | Howto/DiyThe PullUpKing 👨🏾🔧 · 24K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank12K views
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Recall. Alert. Crank no start. Attention! Fuel pump recalls!TS Mobile Mechanic · 12K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x49K views
2011–2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport CV Axle Replacement DIYKevins Mobile Automotive Repair · 9K views
Before you buy, watch
Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reliable?Rogan's Rated Car · 46K views
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport blower motor problemsDriveway Mechanic · 17K views
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWD Premium Start Up, Exhaust, Test Drive, and In Depth ReviewSaabkyle04 · 401K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2013 is the same generation.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 166 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- During or after snowy conditions, the check engine and abs warning lights will illuminated
- See document search button for owner letter
- If lower quality fuel is used, vehicles would have engine stalling or rough idle condition at low
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure, such as from road salt use.
- Body structure · recall issued 2020
The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from.
- Visibility · recall issued 2018
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.
Show all 10 recalls
- Parking brake · recall issued 2018
Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.
- Visibility · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt lap end attachment fastener may not be torqued to specification, and the fastener may loosen with time.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the driver side seat mounted air bag wiring may have been improperly routed during the leather seat cover installation process.
- Suspension · recall issued 2013
The stabilizer link bracket on the left front strut was improperly welded.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013
These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection." The brake s…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2013
These vehicles may have been built without a fuel sending unit harness for the sub-sending unit.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 8 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-outlander-sport/?y=2013" title="Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="422" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-outlander-sport/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 26; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2018.
What are the most common 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (25%), electrical (25%) and airbags (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
10 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?
26 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year than the 2013?
Not nearby: the 2013 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2018 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works