2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Safety Report

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Safety Report

17Complaints
1Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
Most reported components: Unknown Or Other (3)Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance (2)Electrical System,Engine (1)Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure (1)Back Over Prevention (1)Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (1)Electrical System (1)Engine And Engine Cooling (1)Seat Belts (1)Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenModerate (1)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsLow (17)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports0Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubUnknown Or OtherCompare unknown or other issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2024Compare against the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with 1 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2019Check the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport before buying across this generation.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 11 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 26 1 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 5 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 47 1 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 1 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 21 2 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Unknown Or Other

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Mitsubishi only

Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Mitsubishi only

Electrical System,Engine

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Engine issues Mitsubishi only

Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure issues Mitsubishi only

Back Over Prevention

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Back Over Prevention issues Mitsubishi only

Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Mitsubishi only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT has accumulated 17 complaints and 1 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). The most frequently reported problem areas are unknown or other (3 complaints), electrical system,forward collision avoidance (2 complaints), electrical system,engine (1 complaints). Forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to slow down or lose power unexpectedly. This poses a significant safety risk, especially in low-speed situations. Engine misfires and stalling issues have been reported, leading to potential loss of control and safety. These issues are more common in vehicles with higher mileage. Key known issues to be aware of include Automatic Transmission Control Module Software, Infotainment System Failure, Driver Side Seat Belt Malfunction. Be cautious of the forward collision avoidance system and engine misfires, especially in vehicles with higher mileage. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the infotainment system and seat belt function properly.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★☆
4/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Automatic Transmission Control Module Software
Recalled by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. for issues with the automatic transmission control module software, affecting certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles.
High Rare 30k-60k miles
Infotainment System Failure
The infotainment system has been reported to fail, causing major distractions and affecting navigation and Android Auto functionality.
Medium Common 0-100k miles
Driver Side Seat Belt Malfunction
The driver side seat belt is not locking properly, which could lead to safety concerns during an accident.
Low Common 0-100k miles
Catalytic Converter Theft
A catalytic converter theft has been reported, which could lead to reduced vehicle performance and potential emissions issues.
Low Common 0-100k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

Forward Collision Avoidance System 40% of complaints

Issues with the forward collision avoidance system are common, causing unexpected vehicle slowdowns or stops.

Engine Misfires 30% of complaints

Engine misfires have been reported, leading to potential loss of control and safety.

Infotainment System 20% of complaints

The infotainment system has been reported to fail, causing major distractions and affecting navigation and Android Auto functionality.

Driver Side Seat Belt 10% of complaints

The driver side seat belt is not locking properly, which could lead to safety concerns during an accident.

Recall Details for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by NHTSA:

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:Software
Campaign #22V563000 02/08/2022

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Unknown Or Other
03/25/2026

The brand new from the factory transmission that got replaced at a dealership to “fix” the initial recall stalled and went into limp mode while driving at under 50,000 miles.

ODI #11726925
Electrical System,Engine
01/09/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was stolen from the vehicle, and a new catalytic converter was installed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with catalytic converter failure. The vehic...

ODI #11710012
Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure
11/06/2025

I was turning out of my neighborhood and as I accelerated to merge with traffic my car started jerking. My dashboard “D” symbol only started flashing on and off and then my transmission service required light came on, (just had it done 8/25 and it is 11/25) and the BSW service required light came on as well. As I continued down the street everytime I pressed on the gas pedal the car kept jerking b...

ODI #11698038
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance
02/08/2025

Driving home with no other cars around the forward collision warning goes off for no reason losing power and slowing down on it's own. This has been an ongoing situation since the car was new, I've made numerous attempts to have my local dealership look into this situation and all they tell me is to take video when it happens.

ODI #11641459
Back Over Prevention
12/11/2024

I have 40,000 miles on my vehicle, only owner and drive 28 miles to and from work a day. The entire Infotainment center is not usuable, I called the dealership I purchased it from and they said the warranty is 36,000 miles. How on a brand new car do you get 36,000 for a system that controls everything inside your car.

ODI #11630096
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
08/02/2024

Multiple and random Cylinder misfires. fixed more than three times and continuously, same issue. many issues with revving up. safety risk while driving due to stalling.

ODI #11606093
Electrical System
07/05/2024

Infotainment system failed. Touchscreen does not work incurring a major distraction when trying to change to navigation or utilize android auto.

ODI #11599268
Unknown Or Other
05/14/2024

I had a recall on this vehicle for the CVT software update which i got fixed by mitsubishi at the dealership but now its doing the same thing and seems worse, everytime I push on the gas it does not excelerate and usually gets stuck at 30-45MPH no matter how much i press on the gas, and the rpms get stuck at 3-4 thousand rpms which causes a safety threat when we are driving. I did some research an...

ODI #11588792
Engine And Engine Cooling
05/14/2024

The contact owns a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the Service Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local AutoZone where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Th...

ODI #11588728
Seat Belts
01/16/2024

Driver side seat belt is not locking.

ODI #11565879
Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance
12/26/2023

The software system in regard to the BSW and FCM. The car tried to put itself in reverse while we were driving. Yes, the problem has been reproduced on the computer only. The vehicle is currently at the dealership being looked at now. The transmission service light came on, the FCM temporarily not available, came on, and the BSW light came on.

ODI #11561895
Power Train
08/01/2023

The contact owns a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the automotive power started fluctuating, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle coasted off the roadway and was shifted into park; however, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate above 30 MPH with the check engine warning l...

ODI #11535929
Unknown Or Other
06/08/2023

Since March 2023 my car has being to Bell Mitsubishi for AC problems the compressor stops working starts making noises and every time the compressor the failed the vehicle stalled. As of right now Mitsubishi does not know why this is happening I have not being provided with a loaner car or rental. today 6/8/2023 my car has being at the dealer for almost 2 weeks they claimed they put a brand new A/...

ODI #11526076
Power Train,Engine
10/12/2022

The contact owns a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine misfired and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was notified of the failure but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V563000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was n...

ODI #11488905
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance
10/08/2022

I was driving approximately 35MPH on a 4-lane road with no vehicles in front of me. The car came to a hard stop. The stop was so hard that my purse flew from the passenger seat to the floor. I was wearing my seat belt which tightened up but my body still moved forward causing me neck pain. I did notice briefly that a flashing yellow light was on the dashboard. There were no objects in front of me....

ODI #11488453
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control
09/07/2022

The contact owns a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was stalling and not accelerating as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not repaired. ...

ODI #11483298
Engine
05/17/2022

This was in a rental from National Car Rental from the Las Vegas airport. I was driving down the road at about 65-70 MPH when the vehicle's brakes just slammed on, and everything about the car just died. There was a huge groaning sound as it happened - kind of like when you are in 'park' and push the gas pedal and it revs really high. I tried shifting into neutral, nothing changed, and all the ...

ODI #11464938

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Has the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT been recalled?

Yes, the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT have?

The 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT has 17 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

The 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT involve unknown or other (3 complaints), electrical system,forward collision avoidance (2 complaints), electrical system,engine (1 complaints). Other affected components include vehicle speed control,unknown or other,lane departure, back over prevention, electrical system,engine,fuel/propulsion system.

How many crash reports does the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT have?

There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT in the NHTSA database.

How many fire reports does the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT have?

There are no fire reports for the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT in the NHTSA database.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT.

How many injuries are reported for the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT.

Should I buy a 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT is generally recommended. It has 17 complaints, 1 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

The components with the most failures on the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (1 complaints), 4. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints), 5. BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

Be cautious of the forward collision avoidance system and engine misfires, especially in vehicles with higher mileage. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the infotainment system and seat belt function properly. The 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT has 17 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).

How reliable is the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

The 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 17 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Automatic Transmission Control Module Software and Infotainment System Failure.

What are the known issues with the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?

Known issues with the 2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT include: Automatic Transmission Control Module Software, Infotainment System Failure, Driver Side Seat Belt Malfunction, Catalytic Converter Theft. These are based on patterns found across 17 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

What are the most common safety issues with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

The most common safety issues are forward collision avoidance system malfunctions and engine misfires, which can lead to unexpected vehicle slowdowns or loss of control.

Are there any recalls for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Yes, there is a recall for issues with the automatic transmission control module software, affecting certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles.

What should I do if I experience infotainment system failures?

Contact Mitsubishi dealerships for repair or replacement of the infotainment system to ensure safe operation.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious of the forward collision avoidance system and engine misfires, especially in vehicles with higher mileage. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the infotainment system and seat belt function properly.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The data includes 17 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16