The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander Sport2021
202020221st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Chevrolet Blazer 542021 Subaru Ascent 1272021 Hyundai Palisade 247
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 22V563000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This Technical Information Notice provides additional instructions to dealers when replacing…”?
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 13 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 →
In owners' words
Infotainment system failed. Touchscreen does not work incurring a major distraction when trying to change to navigation or utilize android auto.
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owner · NHTSA complaint 11599268
More owner reports
Multiple and random Cylinder misfires. fixed more than three times and continuously, same issue. many issues with revving up. safety risk while driving due to stalling.
NHTSA complaint 11606093
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 2021 is the same generation.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Technical Information Notice provides additional instructions to dealers when replacing…
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak…
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers directing them upon customer complaint basis
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
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.
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 SPORT SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,400 (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, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-outlander-sport/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 39; 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 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (31%), engine (23%) and automatic emergency braking (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
1 safety recall (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?
25 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 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 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
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