YearToAvoid

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander has 58 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 21, and 8 recall campaigns, earning a Caution verdict capped by those recalls rather than by complaint volume alone. Engine problems dominate, making up 45% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
21/100
#16 of 20 Outlander years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
58
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2012
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

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

  1. Engine26 (45%)
  2. Electrical System10 (17%)
  3. Other8 (14%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers8 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain6 (10%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (9%)
  7. Airbags4 (7%)
  8. Brakes4 (7%)
  9. Fuel System3 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body3 (5%)

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

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in front-end and side-impact collisions at highway speeds, in one case leaving a passenger needing medical attention.
  • Check engine light illuminates repeatedly and the vehicle loses power or won't accelerate past certain speeds, sometimes despite multiple dealer visits.
  • Vehicle hesitates when accelerating from a stop, an issue the dealer could not always duplicate during inspection.
  • Dashboard indicator does not distinguish between parking lights and headlights, making it hard to tell which lights are active at night.
  • Wheels and tires vibrate severely when snow packs into the rims during winter driving.
  • Transmission enters a 'service required' safe mode and stops unexpectedly, including while crossing a busy intersection.
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2011Feb 2013Apr 2015May 2017Aug 2018Feb 2020Apr 2023Oct 2025
58 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2011 to Apr 2026; peak Nov 2014 (3).

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls

8 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 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V461000Jul 20, 2017Visibility & Wipers100,082 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.

    Risk: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.

See all 8 recalls for the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander →

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,175
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Caution58461321
2010Caution42601021.5
2011Caution2158823
2012Best522623
2013Good3226523

All Mitsubishi Outlander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
NHTSA data shows 58 complaints and a complaint index of 21 for the 2011 Outlander, resulting in a Caution verdict among 20 model years of data. The verdict is capped to Caution mainly because of 8 recall campaigns, not high complaint volume.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 36,500 miles.
Does the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, covering engine drive belts, power steering tubes, wiper motor water intrusion, front cross member corrosion, and HVAC blower motors. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2011 Outlander compare to other years?
The 2011 model ranks 16th worst out of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 21, better than years like 2016, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which carry Avoid verdicts with much higher indexes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander?
EPA rates it at 23 mpg combined, 20.5 mpg city, and 26.5 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,175.

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.