VehicleVerdict

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 279 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.9 times the median Outlander Sport year — the 2015 model ranks #1 of 16 Outlander Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 42% of all reports (117 of 279), far ahead of engine at 36. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

279

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Outlander Sport years?

Outlander Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outlander Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission11742%
Engine3613%
Speed Control269%
Electrical System218%
Other207%
Brakes155%
Fuel System145%
Visibility & Wipers83%
Airbags73%
Suspension52%
Steering41%
Lighting21%
Seat Belts21%
Body & Structure10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have recalls?

9 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.

17V609000Electrical SystemSeptember 29, 2017 · 132,552 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

Consequence

If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.

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.

16V563000TransmissionJuly 28, 2016 · 82,436 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.

Consequence

A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the CVT control unit with modified software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-006.

16V548000TransmissionJuly 22, 2016 · 45,731 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured June 25, 2014, through November 25, 2015 and equipped with a 2.0L engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). During assembly, a clamp for a CVT hose may not have been properly secured, allowing the hose to detach and leak transmission fluid.

Consequence

If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may become inoperable, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if leaking transmission fluid contacts an a hot surface there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hose clamps, correcting their installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-16-005.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING JERKING AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE WITH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN SUDDENLY JERKS OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO TWO DIFFERENT MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIPS, INCLUDING THE ONE OF PURCHASE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF D'AMBROSIO MITSUBISHI (1223…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 12, 2017 · fire

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING JERKING AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE WITH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN SUDDENLY JERKS OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO TWO DIFFERENT MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIPS, INCLUDING THE ONE OF PURCHASE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 8, 2014

The front passenger door will not open from the inside NOR from the outside. This could be a severe safety issue in case of emergency! I tried unplugging the battery for 15 minutes and reconnecting. Still does not work. No warnings/messages. No recalls. What if this happened to other doors? What if…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 27, 2024

ROTARS PREMATURELY SEVERELY RUSTED. MAY BE RELATED TO THE FACT THAT NO PROTECTION WAS USED FOR THE CAR AGAINST ROCK SALT AS INDICATED IN LATEST SAFETY RECALL, WHICH ONLY MENTIONED THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS. IF PROTECTION WAS NOT IN PLACE THIS WOULD AFFECT ANY AREA OF THE CAR THAT COULD CARRODE OR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 14, 2020

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — common questions

Is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 279 complaints put the 2015 model at #1 of 16 Outlander Sport years. It is one of the Outlander Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Outlander Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (117 complaints), engine (36 complaints), speed control (26 complaints).

Does the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 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.