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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 236 owner complaints for the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Most complaints involve power train (143) and engine (48). The EPA rates it 24–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
24–28mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Mar 2021
Owner complaints
236
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Mar 5, 2021NHTSA 21V144000

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported May 18, 2020NHTSA 20V279000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Feb 9, 2018NHTSA 18V103000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

236 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2014 – Nov 2026
  1. Power train143
  2. Engine48
  3. Vehicle speed control31
  4. Electrical system25
  5. Fuel/propulsion system18
  6. Service brakes15
  7. Air bags10
  8. Visibility/wiper9
  9. Suspension6

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

By model year

Complaints for each Outlander Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201185
201235
201367
201486
2015236
2016163
201773
201821
201947
202026
202119
202211
20237
20241
20251
20263
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

143 reports1 crash1 fire
“Ive had the car for about a year, the problem I've been noticing is a hesitation when pulling up to a redlight and it changes to green before you come to a stop, and when you press the gas pedal down right there when your rpms go up my car is like missing a beat if that makes sense, also it does it when hard acceleration from a complete stop as well, seems like it might stall out at redlights. I ran a diagnostic test and fault p1609 is popping”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11775323

Engine

48 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The vehicle is currently experiencing severe hesitation during acceleration, slipping gears, high RPM surging, shuddering, jerking at low speeds, and complete loss of motive power. This behavior represents a critical safety hazard, particularly when merging onto highways or turning across oncoming traffic. I have yet to take it to a dealer due to financial hardship and concern for my safety of driving it to one. It has yet to be inspected. Manufacturer was contacted via email about current issues but have had no response yet. There were no warning lamps when I initially was driving away from dealer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11776754

Vehicle speed control

31 reports1 crash
“Purchased used car in July 2024 and was able to drive it maybe 2 months and the transmission would not shift and would come to a complete stop. Not a safe feeling driving in 3 lanes of traffic on a busy highway at rush hour. Transmission light on and took to mechanic and was told this make and model is notorious for transmission failure and it needs replacing. The odometer is 86316 and car has been sitting now for two years. Of course we went exactly 100 miles over the warranty and now have to pay 5000-9000 dollars for a replacement with no guarantee warranty. So now we have the car paid off and can’t drive it because it’s out of budget to replace. Thanks a lot Mitsubishi for nothing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11747268
All 2015 Outlander Sport problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outlander Sport 2WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253228$2,150317
Outlander Sport 4WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
243027$2,200330
Outlander Sport 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232926$2,300342
Outlander Sport 2WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232825$2,400349
Outlander Sport 4WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
222624$2,500360
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 9298Vehicle 9297
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Outlander Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?

Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (143), engine (48), vehicle speed control (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at 24–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026