YearToAvoid

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#8 most-complained of 15 Outlander Sport years

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

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a Complaint Index of 50 with 26 complaints and 1 recall, ranking 8th worst out of 15 model years — a middling, Caution-level year for this model.

Complaints
26
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
23 city / 29 hwy

Top 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine9 (35%)
  2. Other7 (27%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain6 (23%)
  4. Electrical System5 (19%)
  5. Seat Belts3 (12%)
  6. Airbags1 (4%)
  7. Brakes1 (4%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
  9. Fuel System1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Engine loses power or stalls at highway speed with the check engine light on, in one case leading to a spark plug fracture and engine replacement around 81,000 miles.
  • Transmission shakes abnormally and stalls between 40 and 70 mph, traced to CVT-ECU software needing an update.
  • Owners around 50,000 miles report blue smoke from the exhaust and sputtering on inclines, suspected to involve piston rings or valve seals.
  • Rear seat belt buckles sit too deep in the seat cushion, making them hard to reach or buckle, especially for adult passengers.
  • Electrical system intermittently loses power to the radio and dashboard lights while driving, followed by a warning to check the electrical system.
  • Touchscreen radio digitizer stops responding, preventing Bluetooth pairing and access to some vehicle settings.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2020Aug 2021Apr 2022Jul 2023Feb 2024Oct 2024
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2020 to Mar 2026; peak Mar 2024 (4).

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

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
2018Caution6421225
2019Avoid9326125
2020Caution5026125.5
2021Good2919125.5
2022Best2111125.5

All Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
NHTSA lists 26 complaints and 1 recall for the 2020 Outlander Sport, giving it a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict — a middle-of-the-pack result compared with other years of this model.
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Outlander Sport?
Engine complaints are the top problem area, making up 35% of complaints (9 of 26), with a median failure mileage of 63,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Outlander Sport have a transmission recall?
Yes. Recall 22V563000 covers 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles with CVTs and mechanical key ignitions due to a software error in the transmission; dealers update the CVT-ECU software free of charge.
How does the 2020 Outlander Sport compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 50 ranks 8th worst of 15 model years. It's better than 2013-2015 and 2019 (all rated Avoid, with indexes of 79-100) but worse than 2021-2023, which rate Good or Best with indexes of 29 or lower.
What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2020 Outlander Sport?
The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 51,000 miles, with engine issues surfacing around 63,000 miles and transmission issues around 65,000 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.