YearToAvoid

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 5th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 30 complaints, 10 recall campaigns, and 3 crashes, with Engine problems being the top complaint area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
71/100
#5 of 15 Outlander Sport years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
30
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
10
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
24 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine10 (33%)
  2. Brakes6 (20%)
  3. Electrical System6 (20%)
  4. Other5 (17%)
  5. Airbags4 (13%)
  6. Seat Belts3 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (10%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain3 (10%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers3 (10%)
  10. Steering2 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine stalls unexpectedly, sometimes after the vehicle sits idle for several days.
  • Electric power steering assist occasionally cuts out at low speeds after turning the wheel to its limit, making the car harder to steer.
  • Owners tied to recall 14v562000 for the engine drive belt report waiting long periods for replacement parts.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in some frontal collisions, resulting in driver injury.
  • Vehicle pulled suddenly to the right at speed even after a wheel alignment, leading to a loss of control in one case.
  • A driver-side seat belt failed to retract and stayed loosely connected instead of securing properly.
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2014Feb 2015Jun 2016Jul 2017Jan 2018Feb 2019Jan 2024
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2014 to Jun 2025; peak Nov 2014 (2).

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V279000May 18, 2020Structure & Body141,200 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members

    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.

    Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.

  2. NHTSA 18V103000Feb 9, 2018Visibility & Wipers158,651 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

    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.

    Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

  3. NHTSA 18V069000Jan 26, 2018Engine141,053 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

    Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.

See all 10 recalls for the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport →

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Outlander Sport years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution71301026
2012Good4314626
2013Avoid79421026

All Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 model carries a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 5th worst among 15 model years, so it gets a Caution verdict relative to other Outlander Sport years.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Outlander Sport?
Engine issues make up 33% of complaints, followed by brakes and electrical system problems at 20% each, and airbag complaints at 13%.
Does the 2011 Outlander Sport have recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2011 Outlander Sport, covering the engine drive belt, windshield wiper linkage, liftgate supports, structure/body corrosion, HVAC blower motor, and incorrect certification labels.
How does the 2011 Outlander Sport compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 71 is worse than 2012 (43), 2016 (36), 2017 (50), and 2021-2023, but better than 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019, which are rated Avoid.
What mileage do 2011 Outlander Sport problems tend to appear at?
The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 83,301.5 miles, though engine complaints have a higher median of 98,990 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.