2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a Complaint Index of 64 and ranks 6th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems make up 35% of its 26 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 63,000 miles, plus one CVT software recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 64/100
- #6 of 15 Outlander Sport years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 26
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 23 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (35%)
- Other7 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (23%)
- Electrical System5 (19%)
- Seat Belts3 (12%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power suddenly at highway speed with the check engine light on, sometimes leading to a full engine replacement after a fractured spark plug, reported around 81,000 miles.
- CVT transmission shakes abnormally and stalls between 40 and 70 mph, tied to a check engine light and requiring a CVT-ECU software update, reported around 57,000 miles.
- Blue smoke comes from the exhaust and the engine sputters or stalls on inclines, suspected to involve piston rings or valve seals, reported near 50,000 miles by the original owner.
- Rear seat belt buckles sit too far down in the seat cushion, making them hard to reach or use, especially for adult passengers.
- Electrical system triggers warning messages and radio or infotainment failures, including a touch screen that stops working and Bluetooth pairing that fails.
- Brakes grind while stopping and the mileage display fluctuates, accompanied by a false routine maintenance alert.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V563000Aug 2, 2022Transmission & Powertrain76,508 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio at high speeds, which can result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,550
- 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.
2020 compared with other Outlander Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 64, ranking 6th worst among the 15 model years with data. It carries a Caution verdict, with engine and transmission issues as the top reported problem areas.
- What problems does the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
- Owners most often report engine trouble (35% of complaints, median 63,000 miles) and transmission/powertrain issues (23%, median 65,000 miles), including CVT stalling and shaking. Electrical system complaints (19%) and seat belt buckle complaints (12%) also appear.
- Does the 2020 Outlander Sport have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 22V563000) covers CVT-equipped models with mechanical key ignition. A software error in the transmission control unit is addressed by a free CVT-ECU software update.
- How does the 2020 model compare to other Outlander Sport years?
- The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 64 is worse than 2021 (29, Good) and 2022 (21, Best), but better than 2013-2015 and 2019, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes from 79 to 100.