VehicleVerdict

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 59 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Outlander Sport year — the 2013 model ranks #2 of 16 Outlander Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (13), airbags (11), and body & structure (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

59

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Outlander Sport years?

Outlander Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted279 complaints2011: 47 complaints2012: 18 complaints2013: 59 complaints2014: 58 complaints2015: 279 complaints2016: 42 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 37 complaints2019: 42 complaints2020: 34 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 21 complaints2023: 15 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Outlander Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outlander Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1322%
Airbags1119%
Body & Structure58%
Other47%
Brakes47%
Engine47%
Suspension47%
Fuel System35%
Transmission35%
Steering35%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Tires & Wheels12%
Seat Belts12%
Lighting12%

Does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V144000Body & StructureMarch 5, 2021 · 15,347 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold, 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.

Consequence

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, free of charge. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-21-001. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-279. Owners not previously notified under 20V-279 were notified on March 22, 2021.

20V279000Body & StructureMay 18, 2020 · 141,200 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V103000Visibility & WipersFebruary 9, 2018 · 158,651 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. 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.

Consequence

Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

18V070000BrakesJanuary 26, 2018 · 170,354 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

Consequence

If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed 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-18-002.

16V792000Visibility & WipersOctober 31, 2016 · 93,801 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 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.

14V744000Seat BeltsNovember 21, 2014 · 54,779 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured July 20, 2012, to July 23, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt lap end attachment fastener may not be torqued to specification, and the fastener may loosen with time.

Consequence

A loosened and weakened fastener may not be capable of withstanding the load forces associated with a vehicle crash, leaving the seat occupant insufficiently restrained and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt lap end attachment fastener, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-714-372-6000. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-011.

14V031000AirbagsFebruary 4, 2014 · 733 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured July 20, 2012, through May 29, 2013 and equipped with leather seats. In the affected vehicles, the driver side seat mounted air bag wiring may have been improperly routed during the leather seat cover installation process.

Consequence

If the wiring is routed incorrectly, using the seat height adjustment may damage the wiring resulting in illumination of the air bag warning light. Subsequently, in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the driver side seat mounted air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners and dealers will inspect the wiring of the driver side seat mounted air bag and re-route the wire if necessary, free of charge. If the wire is damaged, the seat mounted airbag will be replaced, free of chagre. The recall began on February 28, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-001.

13V300000SuspensionJuly 8, 2013 · 305 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 17, 2013, through January 25, 2013. The stabilizer link bracket on the left front strut was improperly welded. As a result, the link may detach and cause damage to the tire and/or brake hose.

Consequence

If the stabilizer link bracket damages the tire and/or brake line, the driver may have more difficulty controlling the steering of the vehicle, or the vehicle may require a longer stopping distance to come to a complete and controlled stop. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the front left strut assembly free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2013. Owners may contact MMNA at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's recall number is SR-13-008.

13V112000Electrical SystemMarch 29, 2013 · 3,724 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport AWD vehicles manufactured June 11, 2012, through December 11, 2012. These vehicles may have been built without a fuel sending unit harness for the sub-sending unit. This may result in a false fuel tank level reading.

Consequence

The vehicle operator may believe they have fuel when the tank is actually empty. This could cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will install the proper fuel sending harness, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign recall number is SR-13-005.

13V116000LightingMarch 29, 2013 · 4,539 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured June 11, 2012, through September 11, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection." The brake stop lamps may illuminate continuously or intermittently. The shift lever could also be moved out of Park without depressing the brake pedal.

Consequence

If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly other vehicles may not know when the vehicle is stopping. This could increase the risk of a crash. If the shift lever is moved from park without using the brake, the vehicle may roll causing personal injury.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The recall BEGAN ON April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign recall number is SR-13-004.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SHUDDER AND RPMS FLUCTUATE WHILE IDLING. THEN WOULD JUST DIE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO FROM IDLE. EVENTUALLY ASC SERVICE REQUIRED WARNING CAME ON WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TRANSMISSION TUNNLER WAS REPLACED. CAR RAN FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS AND PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. PULLING INTO GAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 13, 2018

TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION IN MY 2013 OUTLANDER SPORT. ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH, AND THE IMPACT AREA OF MY VEHICLE WAS ALL FRONT END, NOT ONE SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED INJURIES TO MY NECK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 4, 2016 · crash

The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V144000 (Suspension, Structure); and it was determined the undercarriage was extremely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the rust. The manufacturer…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 12, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 16, 2013

CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SHUDDER AND RPMS FLUCTUATE WHILE IDLING. THEN WOULD JUST DIE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO FROM IDLE. EVENTUALLY ASC SERVICE REQUIRED WARNING CAME ON WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TRANSMISSION TUNNLER WAS REPLACED. CAR RAN FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS AND PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. PULLING INTO GAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 13, 2018

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — common questions

Is the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 59 complaints put the 2013 model at #2 of 16 Outlander Sport years. It is one of the Outlander Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Outlander Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (13 complaints), airbags (11 complaints), body & structure (5 complaints).

Does the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outlander Sport years to avoid are 2015, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Outlander Sport years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.