2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Engine Problems

Hesitation when accelerating. Has stalled while driving. Has come to a complete stop when put in reverse.

NHTSA ID

11721989

Incident

Jul 28, 2025

Car jerks like it’s losing power when pulling off, not sure if it’s transmission issue or engine issue

NHTSA ID

11716839

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated; however, the contact stated that the warning light was due to a failed O2 sensor. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 105,979.

NHTSA ID

11590523

Incident

May 18, 2024

Mileage

105,979 mi

The car started using more fuel, hesitatingly, slipping gears wouldn’t go in gear, died while driving.

NHTSA ID

11580590

Incident

Dec 6, 2023

I was driving on the highway on a trip and out of no where my car shuttered and then flashed service transmission soon, I pulled over and my car would no longer drive, reverse or go into neutral. The tow company reset my battery to try to reset my car system. After that my car wouldn’t really go past 60. I followed the tow truck to the nearest town and it stalled again at the light and I could no longer go at all, my car locked up and wouldn’t reset at that point. It’s an $1100 tow back home. The CVT transmission really needs to be rechecked and recalled. I’ve found too many issues and the same complaints but can’t find a recall on it at all.

NHTSA ID

11558145

Incident

Dec 2, 2023

My 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is having problems shifting and accelerating. There is a Transmission service needed light that comes on the dash when turned on. A few months ago I had to start manually shifting which barely got me by. Recently it would not go over 25 MPH, and continued to go slower and slower until it stopped and would not accelerate at all. I have had to drive on the far right of the road with my hazards on and barely made it from A to B while cars zoomed past me. I had to turn the car off and back on which helped a little. I feel like when it is low on gas, that also makes it worse? I have taken the vehicle to the dealership that sold it to me who confirmed the faulty transmission and they gave me a printed quote for a new transmission. The mileage is at 89,811 and I've had it for almost 2 years. I first started noticing issues shortly after purchase when it would shake when idle once in a while or would have a hard time accelerating after stopping. The first time it would not accelerate was about a year ago. I no longer can rely on this vehicle for transportation.

NHTSA ID

11533603

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact state that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and then stalled. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle lunged forward then inadvertently increased in speed. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while shifted in reverse(R), the vehicle rolled forward and failed to reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle randomly shuddered. The transmission service required warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that VIN was previously repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11520288

Incident

May 1, 2023

Mileage

80,000 mi

The engine shuts off while at idle for stop lights, stop signs, and on occasion brief stops such as reversing and turning. The battery has been replaced, the alternator has been checked, & the catalytic converter was checked no problems there. However the problem persists with no warning/engine/battery light on. This is a big problem when trying to safely operate the vehicle especially if others are expecting me to go and then the car shuts off

NHTSA ID

11500236

Incident

Jan 3, 2023

Won't shift gears, hesitates while driving, won't drive after stopping. Check engine light and transmission service warning light is on.

NHTSA ID

11493717

Incident

Nov 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the transmission overheat message was displayed indicating that the vehicle should be turned off. The contact pulled over and waited for the engine to cool down. While attempting to drive, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was idling, the engine revved up. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, but it was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11489529

Incident

Aug 26, 2022

Mileage

95,000 mi

CAR HAS ROUGH IDLE, RPMS IDLING AND CAR STALLS WHILE SHIFTING GEARS OR AT A STOP. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD. CAR INSPECTED AT SHOP OF MY CHOOSING. HAS NOT BEEN TO DEALER. NO ALERTS ON FASHBOARD FOR CHECK ENGINE OR SERVICE SOON.

NHTSA ID

11478802

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light illuminated and the vehicle would stall while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and several independent mechanics; however, none of the mechanics were able to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11471551

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

Car has several problems with the transmission causing many safety concerns. Riff shifting and loss of power when trying to move car sometimes. Very dangerous condition having it towed to mitchabichi dealer..

NHTSA ID

11470286

Incident

May 20, 2022

Purchased my used vehicle at my local dealer, in which,they just received into inventory and had not been reconditioned at all ,prepping for Resale,but this vehicle was still offered to me in a nonformal fashion; since my low credit,low deposit,and prior repos that It be best if I choose that one. the vehicle has displayed symptoms of shuddering since day one. Test drive was uneventful since we remained low speed.however, Immediately and if ever drive 55-75mph there would have shuddering and erratic rpm readings but would settle once slowed and time passed.the dealer was informed the next day of this + of all oil change,car wash,detail, inspection,etc. That were also offered as apart of the deal as well and they ONLY picked up the vehicle once ,second day after financing vehicle,BUT they Only installed a "GPS" device within the vehicle and ignored and downplayed all my requests and Accounts of the details of the matter ENTIRELY. The problem persisted and the dealer personnel gave me the run around and errors electronically that pushed this matter past warranty dateline and they informed me they were not obligated to any action. 2.5 - 3 years have passed living with these unresolved issues gotten used to it until Last month on the freeway the "service transmission" light illuminated it shuddered uncontrollably to a sudden stop where it was very difficult to steer to safe location,but Once I stopped the vehicle would always start up but not would it accelerate forward or backwards every time.sometimes yes ,and some not so much. Had to be towed home and seemed to drive About half of a block distance only as have had been completely cool,as opposed to warm or hot and attempting to move forward. Shows all the symptoms of safety campaign SR-16-006. Local repair shop was uncertain diagnosing ,but Tried a complete transmission fluid exchange, Which was a fail. As far as recalls dealership,too costly at the moment for tow to/from+inspection,since the recall shows error

NHTSA ID

11466877

Incident

Apr 4, 2022

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, LOSS MOTIVE POWER, AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11416554

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ROUGH IDLE AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES WHEN AIR CONDITIONER WOULD BE TURNED ON. RMP'S WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 500-1000. NOW AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES VEHICLE HAS ROUGH IDLE WHETHER AC IS ON OR NOT. VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHEN CHANGING GEARS, WHILE WAITING AT A STOP OR WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC. TODAY 3/24/21 VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE ALSO HAS A HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHETHER FROM A STOP OR FROM A COASTING SPEED.VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 2019 FOR CVT8-ECM REFLASH AS PER RECALL BUT IT ONLY SOLVED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THERE SHOULD BE ANOTHER RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AS THESE PROBLEMS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY/ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11404740

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

2015 MITSUBISHI STARTED SPUTTERRING WHILE WAITING FOR RED LIGHT AND HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, BUT WHEN I LOOKED UP THE RECALL MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325744

Incident

May 24, 2020

Mileage

20 mi

TRANSMISIN SLIPS , CAR STUDDERS DURING ACCELERATION, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A STREET OR ENTERING HIGHWAYS. VERY HARD TO CONTROL STEERING, ENGINE MAKES A LOUD NOISE (AS IF YOU ACEELERATE AND THERE IS NO POWER, HIGH RPM NOISE)

NHTSA ID

11322252

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

46,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE TOWARDS THE END OF OCTOBER WITH LESS THAN 40000 MILES AND I KEEP ENCOUNTERING AN ACCELERATION ISSUE AND HIGH ENGINE RPM, THE ISSUES PERIODICALLY 'RESOLVE' THEM SELF ONLY TO COME BACK A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, THE ISSUES I ENCOUNTER AREN'T EXACTLY THE SAME BUT I THINK THEY ARE VERY CLOSELY RELATED/CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER; ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEED (0-30): I TEND TO NOTICE AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AROUND 0-30 MPH WHERE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND IS ACCELERATING, ACCELERATION IS VERY, VERY SLOW AND IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IN/ON MY VEHICLE IS GIVING WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS 'RESISTANCE' TO ACCELERATE, THE FEELING IS VERY WEIRD AND I HAVE NEVER FELT ANYTHING QUITE LIKE IT AND I LACK THE VOCABULARY TO TRULY EXPLAIN WHAT THE ISSUE FEELS LIKE BUT I DO KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS DURING 0-~60 MPH ACCELERATION: WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC GOING 45-65 MPH (ACCELERATING FROM 0-30 MPH RANGE) MY ENGINE SPEED APPROACHES 6000 RPM BUT NEVER ENTERS THE RED AREA BEHIND THE GAUGE, I OFTEN NEED TO ACCELERATE FROM THE 0-30 MPH RANGE TO 45-65 MPH RANGE TO JUMP ONTO A HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY AND MY ENGINE SPEEDS GET MUCH HIGHER THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. I SUSPECT THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING MECHANISM IS BROKEN OR IS MADE POORLY. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A GENUINE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM RUN A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC, EVEN A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY TRANSMISSION WITH EVERYTHING COMING BACK FINE. I HONESTLY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS BUT I HAVE DOCUMENTS VERIFYING THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE BUT NO DIAGNOSIS, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT MY FLUID WAS GOOD FOR ANOTHER YEAR, THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT STILL BE "LEARNING' MY DRIVING STYLE, AND MY VEHICLE HAS A BRAKE 'PRIMING' SYSTEM THAT HELPS STOP YOUR VEHICLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11291687

Incident

Dec 23, 2019

Mileage

38,000 mi

I OWN A 2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT WITH 110,000 MILES ON IT. OTHER THAN THE RECALLS I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES. FREQUENT OIL CHANGES, BRAKES, BASIC MAINTENANCE NOTHING ELSE. MINOR ACCELERATION ISSUES AS PER THE RECALL. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE PARKWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65MPH AND HEARD A SUDDEN KNOCK, THE CAR SHUDDERED AND DIED. THANKFULLY I REACTED QUICKLY AND PULLED OVER THE MINUTE I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I GOT OUT AND THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ROAD WAY. BEING A NOVICE MECHANIC I PRETTY MUCH KNEW THE ENGINE WAS DEAD. TOWED TO HEALEY BRS MITSUBISHI BEACON NY AND 4 DAYS LATER THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE SUDDEN FAILURE BUT DID CONFIRM THAT IT WAS SUDDEN AND NOT DUE TO ANY LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY PART. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE, ON A DARK HIGHWAY ON CHRISTMAS EVE. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS SAFE BUT STILL WANT AN EXPLANATION. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO USED TO WORK FOR MITSUBISHI INFORMED ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THIRD PISTON ON THESE ENGINES BUT THE MECHANIC IN BEACON WOULD NOT CONFIRM EITHER WAY.

NHTSA ID

11192926

Incident

Dec 24, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE AND FLUCTUATING RPM.. AFRAID VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE BY ITS SELF MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT WAITING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT

NHTSA ID

11130724

Incident

Aug 21, 2018

Mileage

28,000 mi

AT ONLY 76,000 MILES, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN GOING ANYWHERE FROM 10 MPH-40 MPH. THIS STARTED WHEN I WAS ON A CITY STREET BUT CONTINUED ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS A LAG IN ACCELERATION WHEN GOING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. MY TRANSMISSION SERVICE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON SO, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TEST DRIVING IT, THEY SIMPLY HAD TO RESET THE SENSOR. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE LIGHT WENT ON AND MY CAR WAS STILL SHUDDERING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AFTER GETTING A TRANSMISSION SERVICE, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS ADVISED TO DO BY THE MITSUBISHI MECHANICS, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES. AT 76,000 THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY MAJOR TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE ISSUES. I AM NOW UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR IN FEAR THAT I WILL END UP IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11092690

Incident

May 1, 2018

Mileage

76,000 mi

DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STANDSTILL, OR WHEN ACCELERATING AGAIN AFTER EITHER CONSTANT SPEED OPERATION OR COASTING THE TRANSMISSION WILL DELAY IN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. WHILE AT 60-65 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL FLUCTUATE IN RPM AND TRY TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING OFF AND ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2017. WHEN BRINGING IT IN FOR SERVICE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I WENT TO AUTOZONE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND IT IS STATING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BANK 1 HAS ISSUES. SO WHEN I PARKED IT THIS MORNING 4-24-18 BECAUSE OF THE LIGHT GOING ONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION, I TRIED STARTING IT AND IT STARTED BUT HESITATED AND THEN ALL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WENT OFF. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING UP WITH THE ECU TOO. I KNOW THERE ARE RECALLS FOR 2015 OUTLANDER SPORTS BUT WHY NOT MINE WHEN I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11089895

Incident

Apr 21, 2018

Mileage

105,800 mi

ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. BOUGHT NEW 9/2015. TREATED APPALLINGLY AT POS. UNRELIABLE INSTRUMENT PANEL KEPT SHOWING A P0017 CODE AT 15K, WOULD NOT CLEAR. TOOK TO DEALER FOR $450 29K SERVICE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER THIS FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME THEN OFF. CAR "PASSED" ALL CHECKS AT DIFFERENT DEALER BUT THEY SAID "TIMING CHAIN" LOOKED LOOSE IN 4/2017 THEY SAID WE COULD REPLACE THE CHAIN, CAM AND CRANK SHAFT AND SENSORS AT OUR EXPENSE FOR 4K ON A NEW CAR. THEY BLAMED US FOR "IMPROPER MAINTENANCE" DUE TO DIRTY OIL. THEY CANCELLED WARRANTY ON ENTIRE VEHICLE. COSE WOULD GO OFF, THEN ON PERIODICALLY, 0017 AGAIN. CAR DROVE FINE UNTIL RECENTLY, CAR THEN STALLED WHILE IN MOTION THROUGH INTERSECTION IN RUSH HOUR, SEIZED UP 42K MILES. DEALER REFUSED TOW AS DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 21 MILES DISHONORED ROADSIDE SERVICE. OUR AAA TOOK TO MECHANIC NEAR HOME WHO DOES JAPANESE CARS, TIMING CHAIN BROKE DX $150. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY. CHARGED TO REDIAGNOSE, HAD TO TOW BACK TO DEALER $150 DIAGNOSIS AGAIN, TIMING CHAIN BROKE, ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACING. CAR DIED IN INTERSECTION, WAS ALMOST KILLED. DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE. 7 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE SO FAR, ONE IS STALLING LIKE WE SAID!!!! DANGEROUS CAR, DO NOT BUY! PLEASE RECALL ENGINE IS BAD, DEALER ASKING 10K TO REPLACE! SEATTLE MITSUBISHI PIERRE. CAR BURNED OIL QUICK IT SEEMS, EVEN SYNTHETIC. THIS IS A PATTERN, MUST RECALL ENTIRE ENGINE ON THESE VEHICLES, PEOPLE WILL DIE.

NHTSA ID

11080090

Incident

Feb 15, 2018

Mileage

42,000 mi

MY 2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INCLUDING ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT. IT ONLY HAS 34173 MILES ON IT. I RESEARCHED THAT IT HAD A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION HOSE ASSEMBLY BUT MITSUBISHI NO LONGER LISTS THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT MY VEHICLE GETS REPAIRED AS THE MANUFACTURING DATE OF THE VEHICLE FALLS IN THE TIME WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS NOT DETECTED DURING ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ID

11079874

Incident

Mar 16, 2018

Mileage

34,173 mi