Problems · by component
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander engine problems
27 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander cite engine, 31% of all 88 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
27
31% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The engine experienced catastrophic internal failure. A connecting rod broke and punctured the engine block, rendering the vehicle completely inoperable. This failure is consistent with overheating and internal engine damage. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure occurred suddenly while driving, without warning. The vehicle lost power immediately, which could have resulted in loss of control, inability to accelerate, and exposure to traffic hazards. This created a serious safety risk to myself and others on the road. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? An independent mobile mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed catastrophic engine failure. Based on the condition of the engine and damage observed, the failure is consistent with severe overheating and internal mechanical breakdown. Full written diagnosis may be pending. Dealer inspection: UNKNOWN”) Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police,…”
“The engine is shutting off while In traffic and from a full stop on red light. This happened so many times. I had to put on park and start the engine for it to work again.”
“I purchased the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander in 2015. In January 2018 the engine seized up while driving and was not repairable. Thankfully I was able to pull over and no one was hurt. The vehicle was only 7 years old with only 112,846 miles and I still had a loan on the vehicle for approxiamtly $10,000. The vehicle was at the time worth the cost left to pay it off. I consulted many Mitsubishi dealerships around the country and the only fix as a new engine for the vehicle which was an additional $10,000 and there were no engines anywhere in the country that could be found. The reason is that Mitsubishi decommissioned this Outlander model in 2013 due to the issue with the engine - essentially it was built like a snowmobile engine. The belt snapped and there was no repairing it - only replacing the entire engine. Mitsubishi knew this was an issue with this model - they decommissioned it only after 2 years on the market and they didn't issue a recall until 2018 - 5 years later! In the mean time I had found others around the coutnry with the same issue and we were all left with auto loans and no working vehicle. This is extremely poor business tactics and dishonest…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED UPON COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN FUSE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,600.*DT CONSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT SHORTS DRAINS THE BATTERY CONTINUOUSLY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *JB”
“I WAS DRIVING ON I 75, ME, 2 PASSENGERS AND 7 ANIMALS DEEP. WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE MY ACCELERATION STOPPED AND THE RPMS REVED, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, I WASN'T ABLE TO ACCELERATE ANYMORE. I COSTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WE WERE STUCK.! MY CVT TRANSMISSION IS BAD.”
“I KNOW THIS CAR HAS FOUR RECALLS ON IT. BUT I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE BEEN GOOGLING SLOW OR SLUGGISH ACCELERATION ISSUES AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN I CAME ACROSS A RECALL FOR THE OUTLANDER SPORT INVOLVING THE CVT IN NEWER MODELS. I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE CVT ISSUES ARE THE SAME ONES MY CAR IS HAVING. BUT IS BECOMING A PAIN IN THE BUTT TO TRY AND ACCELERATE FAST ENOUGH ON THE ROAD OR THE HIGHWAY TO GET OUT OF PEOPLES WAY OR TO MOVE JUST NOTICING PEOPLE GOING AROUND ME BECAUSE OF MY SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. I HAVE TO PRESS ON THE GAS PRETTY HARD TO EVEN GET UP TO ABOUT 20 OR 30 NOT TO MENTION WHAT SOUNDS LIKE MY MUFFLER IS HUMMING. I FEEL IT'S A DANGER TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND NOT GETTING UP TO THE SPEED TO MAKE A TURN OR GET ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE I SAID. I NOTICED THAT I HAVE TO PUT A SPECIFIC DATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS FORM BUT IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE NOW. I ACTUALLY WENT TO MITSUBISHI TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED AND THE GUY SAID THAT THIS ISSUE WILL GO AWAY BUT IT DIDN'T.”
Showing 6 of 27 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.