2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls & complaints

1. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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,…

What could happen: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V279000 (manufacturer code SR-20-003).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

What could happen: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V103000 (manufacturer code SR-18-004).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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.

What could happen: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V069000 (manufacturer code SR-18-001).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Visibility (wipers / glass) — fix not yet available

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. 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.

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

The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. The fix is not available yet. Register your contact details with the dealer so they call you when parts arrive.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

What could happen: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V562000 (manufacturer code SR-14-009).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outla…

What could happen: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V233000 (manufacturer code SR-15-003).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured on September 3, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the switch sleeve in the brake booster may crack and prevent the brake pedal from returning properly.

What could happen: If the pedal is unable to move back to the proper position, the vehicle may not move as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-008.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V560000 (manufacturer code SR-14-008).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetratio…

What could happen: If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V867000 (manufacturer code SR-16-011).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured on December 3, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with incorrect certification labels that were installed during manufacturing. The incorrect labels do not have the correct vehicle identification numbers (VIN) printed on the label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the require…

What could happen: A vehicle must comply with all regulatory requirements to ensure that it is safe.

The fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will install corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-010.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V579000 (manufacturer code SR-15-010).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, through March 29, 2011. The panoramic glass roof may have been installed without primer being applied before the adhesive.

What could happen: Without primer being used, the panoramic glass roof may have reduced adhesion, possibly allowing the glass roof to detach from the vehicle, resulting in a road hazard to other vehicles.

The fix: MMNA will notify owners and dealers will inspect the panoramic glass to see if primer was installed. If primer is not present, the glass will be reinstalled. The recall began on July 8, 2013. MMNA's recall number is SR-13-007. Customers may contact MMNA at 1-888-648-7820.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 OUTLANDER SPORT.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V255000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Engine (35), Electrical system (15), Visibility (wipers / glass) (12), Unknown Or Other (12), Transmission / drivetrain (9).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.