Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Owners filed 67 complaints about the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with NHTSA between Jan 2013 and Jun 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (14).

Complaints
67
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags14
  2. Electrical system14
  3. Engine9
  4. Visibility/wiper8
  5. Power train7
  6. Service brakes6
  7. Structure5
  8. Suspension4
  9. Steering4
  10. Fuel/propulsion system3
  11. Seat belts2
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  13. Exterior lighting2
  14. Wheels1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20135
20142
20152
20167
201712
20189
20197
20205
20215
20225
20234
20242
20252

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

14 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2024Air bagsODI 11619740

Electrical system

14 reports
“On Dec 8,2023 our mitsubishi outlander shut off while being driven. When this occurred multiple warning lights come on including, service engine immediately, engine overheating (which it was not) and multiple other lights. It was towed to the dealership where they told us the ECU is bad. Mitsubishi no longer makes the part. They have also told us this is the 3rd vehicle in the last month with the same issue. Car had no power/electrical /engine issues prior to this event. Mitsubishi is offering no solution to fix the issue. Luckily when the car shut down we were driving at a low speed in a neighborhood. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been very dangerous. We now have no car, no possibility of repair and no answers to why this happened without warning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11560529

Engine

9 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2024Steering, Suspension, EngineCrash reportedODI 11580181

Visibility/wiper

8 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RAY BRANDT CHEVROLET, WESTBANK EXPY, HARVEY, LA 70058 (504)-229-6013). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V792000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2017Visibility, Visibility/wiperODI 11055317

Power train

7 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the "Transmission Overheating" message was displayed on the instrument panel as the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart after waiting approximately 10 minutes and would resume normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered that there was no defect with her vehicle and that the failure was linked to an electrical issue. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2022Power train, Electrical systemODI 11481041

Service brakes

6 reports
“My vehicle has had over 10 recalls but Mitsubishi has refused to properly fix any of the problems. I will attach a photo of the control arms and certain parts and recalls THEY cleared, and sent me on my way with. Now there is full suspension damage. Tire damage. And an entire list of other recalls that were never fixed by Mitsubishi. Also Airbag light, incorrect gas level. Windshield fluid leaking, and more. My front tire is about to fly off. There are problems with the struts. And no mechanic wants to touch it due to a strut recall and can’t even buy struts anywhere for my car. They have been taken off the market completely. I have a 8 year old child in this car. And both of our lives at risk. I have brought it to several mechanics and they are in shock at the damage and how we have survived. I have had to pay with my own money for certain repairs because Mitsubishi said “everything looks fine” and sent me on my way. And now refuse to open a claim and pay it back. Or fix all the damage it has caused since the first control arm problem. I can get receipts and invoices together. But honestly the entire car is A huge liability and needs an IMMEDIATE SOLUTION!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2021Suspension, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11425701
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.