RoadVitals

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
42
Latest Jun 23, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
10
Latest Mar 5, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and body & structure categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 166 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1120.0%
  • Airbags1120.0%
  • Body & structure59.1%
  • Suspension47.3%
  • Brakes47.3%
  • Engine47.3%
  • Fuel system35.5%
  • Steering35.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Mar 5, 2021
15,347 units potentially affected
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold, 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 control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure, such as from road salt use.
The risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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, free of charge. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-21-001. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-279. Owners not previously notified under 20V-279 were notified on March 22, 2021.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-21-001View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

May 18, 2020
141,200 units potentially affected
The 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 control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
The risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-20-003View on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Feb 9, 2018
158,651 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-18-004View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V144000 (Suspension, Structure); and it was determined the undercarriage was extremely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the rust. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11668660
Incident
Jun 12, 2025
Mileage
100,000 mi
Filed Feb 18, 2025

The lights on my clutch are not coming on. I’m concerned there are other electrical issues affecting the cluster and the odometer display

NHTSA ID
11643509
Incident
Jun 19, 2024
Airbags
Filed Oct 14, 2024

AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED message appears on dash. Occurred on 09/20/2018 and again on 09/29/2023. Both times required service to fix. Has now happened again on 10/14/2024. Secondary issue was reported by another driver for same vehicle for NHTSA ID Number: 11339357 and NHTSA ID Number: 11567379

NHTSA ID
11619740
Incident
Oct 14, 2024
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 29, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

In 2020 I got a recall for engine support from Mitsubishi. We took it in and told me that the support was find that I didn’t need to be replace even tho the recall called for it. They ended up putting rust paint on the support. 4 weeks ago that part broke on my wife when she was driving down the road. The steering wheel was taken out of my wife’s hand while driving. She was able to get the off the road safely. But sprained her wrist. When I found the broken part on the car. I call Mitsubishi themself. When I reported these issue, I was told that someone would be coming to my house to look at the car. I signed a form for them to do that. And for the to read the computer on my car. That was 4 weeks ago. I have emailed them and called them. And no one knows what I’m talking about our replying to my email. And on top of it all we are missing work, at least one day a week because of this.

NHTSA ID
11580181
Incident
Mar 8, 2024
Electrical
Filed Nov 15, 2023

My electrical system and/or computer brain is not operating properly. About a year and 1/2 ago the low beam passenger light stopped working. I had the bulb replaced at Walmart. 2 months later it went out again. Walmart checked and said the bulb was not the problem so I went to Firestone and was told the wiring was melted. Firestone said my options were to replace the entire harness or pig tail the low beam. I opted for the pig tail. A few months later I had issues with slow starts as if my battery was being drained. A few weeks after that my drivers side low beam started working intermittently. Then went out completely. I went to Gillman dealership in Schertz, TX (330 miles from my home) who said the bulb needed to be replaced which they did. A month later the drivers low beam is out again. Firestone says the wiring has melted on that side too. This time I asked them not to fix it because I wanted to go back to the dealership to repair. 1 week later my battery died twice and the passenger low beam has stopped working again. A mechanic advised that a few years ago he worked on a 2012 Mitsubishi with the same issues and ended up totaling it out because the car’s computer was not modulating voltage properly. He said that car’s computer was not reading the codes correctly and was outputting voltages that did not match the Outlanders configuration. I was told there is a recall for this already. I wanted information on this before contacting the Texas State Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office.

NHTSA ID
11555268
Incident
Apr 9, 2022
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Feb 20, 2023

hello: i purchased this vehicle last nov. the rear hatch was opening fine," but after a couple of months it has stopped and the only way to open it," is from the lever on the inside. you have to use a screw driver or prying tool of some sort to remove the cover in order to get to the lever and you have to lay the back seats down and crawl back there to get to this. i've spoken to other owners who have the same issue. they've had to replace either and or both the actuator and the handle tailgate lock release mechanism. the handle tailgate lock release mechanism is electrical and is susceptible to water getting into it and corrodes the electrical parts. it sits mostly flush one the outside of the hatch where water can get too it. i feel this is a safety issue incase of an accident or emergency if it is imperative to gain access. also the design of the so called emergency release lever is terrible. some people might not have a screw driver or something to pry with in order to remove the cover in order to gain access to the release lever. in my opinion (1)the emergency lever needs to be redisgned and have easier access to it.(2) replace the acutator and or the handle tailgate lock release. it could cost owners up tp $400 to replace these item at a dealership," unless they would want to tackle it themselves. i feel it's worth looking into. thankyou for your time and any help.

NHTSA ID
11508210
Incident
Dec 26, 2022
Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his wife indicated that the vehicle was not driving in a straight line. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front driver’s side suspension lower control arm had fractured due to subframe rust and corrosion. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V279000 (Suspension) but the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 140,000. The contact stated that the subframe was repaired two years ago under recall but there is rust and corrosion again.

NHTSA ID
11505970
Incident
Feb 5, 2023
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 10, 2022

Airbag service system light is on In my car and the codes ran and it popped up SR-14-001 they gave me paperwork saying its a recall on my driver seat mounted airbag wiring has been improperly installed. Dealership is saying its not a recall.

NHTSA ID
11493124
Incident
Nov 9, 2022

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TECH TALK 289

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEAT BELTS

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

TECH TALK 281

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION; STRUCTURE:BODY; SUSPENSION; VISIBILITY/WIPER

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

TSB-16-54-001REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

TSB-24-23-004

POWER TRAIN

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.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

TSB-23-00-001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026200
2025100
2024100
2023700
2022111038.4
2021171040.0
2020261044.7
2019261053.6
2018212056.5
2017270042.1
2016268045.8
20151829049.7
2014406056.0
2013Viewing4210049.0
2012146054.7
20113010053.1

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.