MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT · model year

2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT

59 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 10 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013MITSUBISHIOUTLANDER SPORT carries 59 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 OUTLANDER SPORT is electrical system with 11 filings, followed by air bags (11) and engine (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 10 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2013 OUTLANDER SPORT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

59
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

59 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
AIR BAGS11
ENGINE4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
SERVICE BRAKES4
SUSPENSION4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN3
STEERING3
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
SEAT BELTS1
WHEELS1

Recalls (10)

16V79200031/10/2016

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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

13V11600029/03/2013

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

13V11200029/03/2013

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 fu

18V07000026/01/2018

PARKING BRAKE

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.

14V74400021/11/2014

SEAT BELTS

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 fasten

20V27900018/05/2020

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, M

18V10300009/02/2018

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

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.

13V30000008/07/2013

SUSPENSION:FRONT

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 tir

21V14400005/03/2021

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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 Hampshir

14V03100004/02/2014

AIR BAGS

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 du

Recent Complaints

20250623SUSPENSION

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 was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 100,000

20250623STRUCTURE

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 was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 100,000

20250218UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The lights on my clutch are not coming on. I’m concerned there are other electrical issues affecting the cluster and the odometer display

20241014AIR BAGS

AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED message appears on dash. Occurred on 09/20/2018 and again on 09/29/2023. Both times required service to fix. Has now happened again on 10/14/2024. Secondary issue was reported by another driver for same vehicle for NHTSA ID Number: 11339357 and NHTSA ID Number: 11567379

20240329CrashENGINE

In 2020 I got a recall for engine support from Mitsubishi. We took it in and told me that the support was find that I didn’t need to be replace even tho the recall called for it. They ended up putting rust paint on the support. 4 weeks ago that part broke on my wife when she was driving down the road. The steering wheel was taken out of my wife’s hand while driving. She was able to get the off the road safely. But sprained her wrist. When I found the broken part on the car. I call Mitsubishi themself. When I reported these issue, I was told that someone would be coming to my house to look at the car. I signed a form for them to do that. And for the to read the computer on my car. That was 4 weeks ago. I have emailed them and called them. And no one knows what I’m talking about our replying to my email. And on top of it all we are missing work, at least one day a week because of this.

20240329CrashSTEERING

In 2020 I got a recall for engine support from Mitsubishi. We took it in and told me that the support was find that I didn’t need to be replace even tho the recall called for it. They ended up putting rust paint on the support. 4 weeks ago that part broke on my wife when she was driving down the road. The steering wheel was taken out of my wife’s hand while driving. She was able to get the off the road safely. But sprained her wrist. When I found the broken part on the car. I call Mitsubishi themself. When I reported these issue, I was told that someone would be coming to my house to look at the car. I signed a form for them to do that. And for the to read the computer on my car. That was 4 weeks ago. I have emailed them and called them. And no one knows what I’m talking about our replying to my email. And on top of it all we are missing work, at least one day a week because of this.

20240329CrashSUSPENSION

In 2020 I got a recall for engine support from Mitsubishi. We took it in and told me that the support was find that I didn’t need to be replace even tho the recall called for it. They ended up putting rust paint on the support. 4 weeks ago that part broke on my wife when she was driving down the road. The steering wheel was taken out of my wife’s hand while driving. She was able to get the off the road safely. But sprained her wrist. When I found the broken part on the car. I call Mitsubishi themself. When I reported these issue, I was told that someone would be coming to my house to look at the car. I signed a form for them to do that. And for the to read the computer on my car. That was 4 weeks ago. I have emailed them and called them. And no one knows what I’m talking about our replying to my email. And on top of it all we are missing work, at least one day a week because of this.

20231115ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My electrical system and/or computer brain is not operating properly. About a year and 1/2 ago the low beam passenger light stopped working. I had the bulb replaced at Walmart. 2 months later it went out again. Walmart checked and said the bulb was not the problem so I went to Firestone and was told the wiring was melted. Firestone said my options were to replace the entire harness or pig tail the low beam. I opted for the pig tail. A few months later I had issues with slow starts as if my battery was being drained. A few weeks after that my drivers side low beam started working intermittently. Then went out completely. I went to Gillman dealership in Schertz, TX (330 miles from my home) who said the bulb needed to be replaced which they did. A month later the drivers low beam is out again. Firestone says the wiring has melted on that side too. This time I asked them not to fix it because I wanted to go back to the dealership to repair. 1 week later my battery died twice and the pass

20230220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

hello: i purchased this vehicle last nov. the rear hatch was opening fine," but after a couple of months it has stopped and the only way to open it," is from the lever on the inside. you have to use a screw driver or prying tool of some sort to remove the cover in order to get to the lever and you have to lay the back seats down and crawl back there to get to this. i've spoken to other owners who have the same issue. they've had to replace either and or both the actuator and the handle tailgate lock release mechanism. the handle tailgate lock release mechanism is electrical and is susceptible to water getting into it and corrodes the electrical parts. it sits mostly flush one the outside of the hatch where water can get too it. i feel this is a safety issue incase of an accident or emergency if it is imperative to gain access. also the design of the so called emergency release lever is terrible. some people might not have a screw driver or something to pry with in order to remove the c

20230220STRUCTURE:BODY

hello: i purchased this vehicle last nov. the rear hatch was opening fine," but after a couple of months it has stopped and the only way to open it," is from the lever on the inside. you have to use a screw driver or prying tool of some sort to remove the cover in order to get to the lever and you have to lay the back seats down and crawl back there to get to this. i've spoken to other owners who have the same issue. they've had to replace either and or both the actuator and the handle tailgate lock release mechanism. the handle tailgate lock release mechanism is electrical and is susceptible to water getting into it and corrodes the electrical parts. it sits mostly flush one the outside of the hatch where water can get too it. i feel this is a safety issue incase of an accident or emergency if it is imperative to gain access. also the design of the so called emergency release lever is terrible. some people might not have a screw driver or something to pry with in order to remove the c

20230207SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his wife indicated that the vehicle was not driving in a straight line. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front driver’s side suspension lower control arm had fractured due to subframe rust and corrosion. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V279000 (Suspension) but the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 140,000. The contact stated that the subframe was repaired two years ago under recall but there is rust and corrosion again.

Mileage: 140,000

20221110AIR BAGS

Airbag service system light is on In my car and the codes ran and it popped up SR-14-001 they gave me paperwork saying its a recall on my driver seat mounted airbag wiring has been improperly installed. Dealership is saying its not a recall.

20220824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the "Transmission Overheating" message was displayed on the instrument panel as the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart after waiting approximately 10 minutes and would resume normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered that there was no defect with her vehicle and that the failure was linked to an electrical issue. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Mileage: 52,000

20220824POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the "Transmission Overheating" message was displayed on the instrument panel as the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart after waiting approximately 10 minutes and would resume normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered that there was no defect with her vehicle and that the failure was linked to an electrical issue. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Mileage: 52,000

20220609POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission started overheating. There was a message displayed on the instrument panel to Slow Down. The vehicle then started to decelerate independently. The contact was able to park the vehicle and waited 10-15 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that failure recurred within 45 minutes. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the pin needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where the mechanic performed a transmission flush. The contact continued to experience failure after the transmission was flushed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,793.

Mileage: 96,793

20220228AIR BAGS

Passenger side rear view mirror became inop. Horn inop/ unresponsive. Air bag driver and passenger side (components inside cabin roof posts lateral of vehicle dashboard coming loose.

20220228STRUCTURE:BODY

Passenger side rear view mirror became inop. Horn inop/ unresponsive. Air bag driver and passenger side (components inside cabin roof posts lateral of vehicle dashboard coming loose.

20220228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Passenger side rear view mirror became inop. Horn inop/ unresponsive. Air bag driver and passenger side (components inside cabin roof posts lateral of vehicle dashboard coming loose.

20220210FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The mouth part where u put the fuel nozzle into ur vehicle is rusting very bad and I try to clean it out often but I'm still concerned that there are rusted pieces of metal still getting down into my actual gas tank. What can be done about this? I wouldn't think this piece would rust considering it's made to handle fuel.

20210720SUSPENSION

My vehicle has had over 10 recalls but Mitsubishi has refused to properly fix any of the problems. I will attach a photo of the control arms and certain parts and recalls THEY cleared, and sent me on my way with. Now there is full suspension damage. Tire damage. And an entire list of other recalls that were never fixed by Mitsubishi. Also Airbag light, incorrect gas level. Windshield fluid leaking, and more. My front tire is about to fly off. There are problems with the struts. And no mechanic wants to touch it due to a strut recall and can’t even buy struts anywhere for my car. They have been taken off the market completely. I have a 8 year old child in this car. And both of our lives at risk. I have brought it to several mechanics and they are in shock at the damage and how we have survived. I have had to pay with my own money for certain repairs because Mitsubishi said “everything looks fine” and sent me on my way. And now refuse to open a claim and pay it back. Or fix all th

Compare 2013MITSUBISHIOUTLANDER SPORT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT have?
The 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT has 59 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?
The 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?
Yes, the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT has 10 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT?
The most-complained component for the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.