What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Engine and electrical system reports are the largest groups, with 6 complaints each. Driver-assist and speed control reports follow.

Has the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander been recalled?

Yes, the by-year data shows 3 recalls for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file, with 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries and 0 deaths listed. Read the problem groups above and decide what matters to you.

How many owner complaints does the 2021 Outlander have?

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for this model year.

How does the 2021 Outlander compare with other years?

See the by-year comparison section on this page. It lines up complaints and recalls for each model year.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander^[1]. The by-year data also shows 3 recalls for this model year^[2].

19owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[2]

25–27MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

4–5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is how the complaints on file group by component, biggest first.

Engine. 6 complaints^[5]. Owners describe warning lights, power loss on the highway and the car shaking or cutting out while driving. Some say repeat repair visits did not fix it.
Electrical system. 6 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe a dead touchscreen and sudden hard stops with a warning light showing. A few of these reports overlap with the engine ones.
Unknown or other. 4 complaints^[7]. These reports do not point to one named part.
Speed control. 3 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car hesitating or jerking when they try to accelerate.
Forward collision avoidance. 3 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the warning system going off with nothing ahead, and the car slowing or braking on its own.
Power train. 3 complaints^[10].
Lane departure. 2 complaints^[11].
Seat belts. 1 complaint^[12].

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one report can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 Outlander is necessarily included.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut (26V252), April 2026. About 108,046 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut (25V507), August 2025. About 121,529 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module › Software (22V563), August 2022. About 76,508 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	24 / 30 / 27	$2,500
Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	23 / 29 / 25	$2,700
Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[17]	23 / 29 / 26	$2,600
Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[18]	23 / 28 / 25	$2,700
Outlander PHEV, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (A1), Regular Gas and Electricity^[19]	26 / 26 / 26	n/a

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[4]	5	4	5	4	13.7%
SUV AWD^[20]	4	4	5	4	16.9%
SUV FWD^[21]	4	4	5	4	19.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[22]	148 hp
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[23]	126 to 168 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
OUTLANDER 4DR SUV ES AWC^[24]	185 in	71 in	67 in	105 in	3,406 lb
OUTLANDER 4DR SUV SE/GT S AWC^[25]	185 in	71 in	67 in	105 in	3,549 lb
OUTLANDER PHEV 4DR SUV^[26]	185 in	71 in	67 in	105 in	4,178 lb

How 2021 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Outlander model year. The 2021 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	116	6
2004	52	4
2005	19	1
2006	21	1
2007	125	9
2008	58	12
2009	46	13
2010	60	10
2011	88	14
2012	36	10
2013	68	14
2014	86	9
2015	235	12
2016	171	11
2017	78	6
2018	93	6
2019	56	6
2020	57	4
2021	19	3
2022	229	10
2023	58	2
2024	27	1
2025	18	2
2026	6	1

NHTSA's counts for the Outlander show 19 complaints and 3 recalls for 2021^[2]. Among the 25 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 20 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2015 (235)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2021 Outlander?

The 2021 Outlander has a modest pile of complaints on file^[1]. Engine and electrical reports are the two biggest groups^[5]^[6]. NHTSA lists 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries and 0 deaths among them^[1]. Recalls exist for this model year, so check the Recalls section on this page^[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide and not a score.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander?: Engine and electrical system reports are the largest groups, with 6 complaints each^[5]^[6]. Driver-assist and speed control reports follow^[8]^[9].
Has the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander been recalled?: Yes, the by-year data shows 3 recalls for this model year^[2]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?: NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file, with 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries and 0 deaths listed^[1]. Read the problem groups above and decide what matters to you.
How many owner complaints does the 2021 Outlander have?: NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for this model year^[1].
How does the 2021 Outlander compare with other years?: See the by-year comparison section on this page. It lines up complaints and recalls for each model year^[2].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander

2014 86 complaints, 9 recalls
2015 235 complaints, 12 recalls
2016 171 complaints, 11 recalls
2017 78 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 93 complaints, 6 recalls
2019 56 complaints, 6 recalls
2020 57 complaints, 4 recalls
2021 this page
2022 229 complaints, 10 recalls
2023 58 complaints, 2 recalls
2024 27 complaints, 1 recall
2025 18 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander

All Mitsubishi models

Similar cars from 2021: small suvs

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer 0 complaints, 0 recalls
2021 Ford Bronco Sport 709 complaints, 16 recalls
2021 Honda Passport 144 complaints, 7 recalls
2021 Kia Telluride 373 complaints, 5 recalls
2021 Lincoln Corsair 43 complaints, 23 recalls
2021 Mazda CX-9 40 complaints, 1 recall

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Mitsubishi Outlander model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V252, filed April 20, 2026: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate › Support Device / Strut. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V507, filed August 7, 2025: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate › Support Device / Strut. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V563, filed August 2, 2022: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module › Software. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Outlander Sport 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Outlander PHEV, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (A1), Regular Gas and Electricity: 26 MPGe combined, 320 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 148 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 126 to 168 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OUTLANDER 4DR SUV ES AWC: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,406 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OUTLANDER 4DR SUV SE/GT S AWC: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,549 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, OUTLANDER PHEV 4DR SUV: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 4,178 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander: problems, recalls and fuel economy