Skip to content
Mitsubishi Outlander SportModel year report

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
22,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The part named most often is electrical system, with 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine (5) and other or unknown (4). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 22,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 47 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Driving home with no other cars around the forward collision warning goes off for no reason losing power and slowing down on it's own. This has been an ongoing situation since the car was new, I've made numerous attempts to have my local dealership look into this situation and all they tell me is to take video when it happens.”

NHTSA complaint #11641459, filed 2025-02

Engine: “This was in a rental from National Car Rental from the Las Vegas airport. I was driving down the road at about 65-70 MPH when the vehicle's brakes just slammed on, and everything about the car just died. There was a huge groaning sound as it happened - kind of like when you are in 'park' and push the gas pedal and it revs really high. I tried shifting into neutral, nothing changed, and all the lights and functions of the car went out. I did my best to direct (couldn't steer) the car to the edge of the road. It was a busy remote highway, I was in the 'fast' lane. …”

NHTSA complaint #11464938, filed 2022-05

Other or unknown: “I was turning out of my neighborhood and as I accelerated to merge with traffic my car started jerking. My dashboard “D” symbol only started flashing on and off and then my transmission service required light came on, (just had it done 8/25 and it is 11/25) and the BSW service required light came on as well. As I continued down the street everytime I pressed on the gas pedal the car kept jerking backwards and forward.”

NHTSA complaint #11698038, filed 2025-11

Forward collision avoidance: “I was driving approximately 35MPH on a 4-lane road with no vehicles in front of me. The car came to a hard stop. The stop was so hard that my purse flew from the passenger seat to the floor. I was wearing my seat belt which tightened up but my body still moved forward causing me neck pain. I did notice briefly that a flashing yellow light was on the dashboard. There were no objects in front of me. The driver of the car behind me had to slam on their brakes and almost hit my car. My car stayed still for about 15 seconds and then the automatic brake was released.”

NHTSA complaint #11488453, filed 2022-10

Mileage when problems were reported

80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 47,000 miles.

40%0–1020%10–2520%25–5020%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 22,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

202220232024620252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Outlander Sport · SUV AWD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 16.9% risk
Outlander Sport · SUV FWD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 19.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Outlander Sport 2WD2.0L 4-cylCVT243027$2,500
Outlander Sport 2WD2.4L 4-cylCVT232925$2,700
Outlander Sport 4WD2.0L 4-cylCVT232926$2,600
Outlander Sport 4WD2.4L 4-cylCVT232825$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 47 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 47 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20237150427—Too new
20221126,7341427—Not enough data
20211922,0001427—Rising
20202651,000142754 · TypicalRising
20192631,550142546 · TypicalRising
20182150,6942425—Stable
20172733,870042530 · FewerFalling
20162627,850842574 · MoreRising
201518347,0009426100 · MoreFalling
20144159,800642682 · MoreFalling
20134261,0091042744 · TypicalFalling
20121452,9006427—Not enough data
20113083,30210—2712 · FewerRising

All Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 22,000 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 47,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.