YearToAvoid

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a complaint index of 29, ranking 11th worst of 15 model years, with a 'Good' verdict. It has 19 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, with Engine (47%) and Electrical System (32%) as the top problem areas.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
29/100
#11 of 15 Outlander Sport years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
19
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
23 city / 29 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

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

  1. Engine9 (47%)
  2. Electrical System6 (32%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (21%)
  4. Other4 (21%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain3 (16%)
  6. Lane Departure2 (11%)
  7. Fuel System1 (5%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (5%)

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 or misfires while driving at moderate speeds, sometimes with the check engine light on.
  • Vehicle stalls and loses power unexpectedly, in one case tied to NHTSA recall campaign 22V563000 for the CVT.
  • Forward collision or automatic braking system triggers hard, unnecessary stops with no obstacles present.
  • Infotainment touchscreen becomes unresponsive, disabling navigation and Android Auto functions.
  • Lane departure and blind spot warning systems activate falsely, with one report of the transmission attempting to shift into reverse on its own.
  • Owners report the vehicle will not accelerate past a low speed after power fluctuations while driving.
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2022Oct 2022Aug 2023Jan 2024Jul 2024Dec 2024Nov 2025Mar 2026
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2022 (2).

2021 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.

2021 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.

2021 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
2019Avoid9326125
2020Caution6426125.5
2021Good2919125.5
2022Best2111125.5
2023Best77025.5

All Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 model has a complaint index of 29 and ranks 11th worst out of 15 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Outlander Sport years.
What problems does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
NHTSA lists 19 complaints for 2021, with Engine issues making up 47% of them and Electrical System issues 32%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 14,000 miles.
Does the 2021 Outlander Sport have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 22V563000) covers a CVT-ECU software error affecting 2019-2022 Outlander Sport models with mechanical key ignition. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 Outlander Sport compare to other years?
The 2021 model's complaint index of 29 is lower than 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019, all of which carry 'Avoid' verdicts with complaint indexes between 79 and 100.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
EPA rates it at 25.5 mpg combined (23 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550.

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.