Mitsubishi · Outlander Sport · 2020
1
Recall
26
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has 1 recall and 26 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
19.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio at high speeds, which can result in an engine stall.
Remedy Status
Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.
The vehicle has exhibited recurring ignition-system and powertrain malfunctions involving repeated ignition-coil failures, engine misfires, and catalyst-system efficiency faults. These issues cause intermittent loss of power, hesitation during acceleration, and unstable engine performance. The malfunction has occurred multiple times since the date of purchase and has been confirmed through diagnostic trouble codes related to misfire events and catalyst-system operation. A certified Mitsubishi dealership confirmed that the failure pattern aligns with an active manufacturer recall and corresponding Technical Service Bulletin affecting the same model year, engine type (4B11), and vehicle platform. I was informed that the vehicle “falls under” the same defect pattern listed in the current recall/TSB; however, because the vehicle no longer has an active factory warranty, the dealership stated they would have to sell the repair parts rather than process the issue under recall or warranty coverage. Despite this, the same safety-related symptoms described in the recall and TSB continue to occur. The defect presents a safety hazard because the vehicle may lose power or fail to accelerate when entering traffic, merging, or navigating intersections. Warning indicators have appeared repeatedly, including the check engine light and catalyst-system warnings. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by authorized service personnel on multiple occasions. All components and diagnostic documentation are available for inspection upon request.
The touchscreen for the main infotainment system is becoming unresponsive. It’s impossible to use the most basic functions while driving without being distracted. It’s caused me to swerve & almost lose control of the vehicle on multiple occasions— as it distracted me from driving because initially the screen had spotty functionality (without any sort of warning, so it seemed like user error). There is currently a service notice from Mitsubishi sent out to all owners of Outlander and Outlander Sports (MY 2020 thru 2022) to replace these units under warranty because of a manufacturing defect. My vehicle is eligible for this, and I’m on the wait list, but that’s the where the bigger problem begins: My local Mitsubishi dealership estimated a 4 month wait period — this was back on 5/9/25; it’s now 11/17/25 so it’s actually been over 6 months. Given that they never called me since May, I called them last week to check the status and they said they do not have an estimated time frame for when the infotainment unit will be replaced. A little research online shows this problem is widespread; consumer websites and other general forums have plenty of people detailing similar experiences with this problem and frustration with how Mitsubishi is handling it. To make matters worse, there is only one way to contact Mitsubishi Motors (aside from the dealership) — it’s the basic customer service USA phone number. I have not talked to anyone there because they simply do not answer. And there are no email addresses available either. I sincerely believe this issue needs to be addressed as a safety recall, as it is obviously a distraction while driving and needs to be taken with more priority. The fact they act like they are volunteering to fix this problem, and at their own leisurely pace, is wrong and grounds for a class action lawsuit. This is not about money — this is about people’s safety, and stopping a company from doing whatever they want without any sort of accountability.
So my push to start has to be pushed twice in order to crank the vehicle and when I first got the car about 9 months ago it didn’t do that and about since January the computer system failed twice and it showed a message about the computer system don’t remember exactly what it said and took a 1/2 to a hour to get it to come back one
The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
The fuel pump is failing causing the car to shut down randomly.
The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V563000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated while waiting for the recall remedy, other electrical and mechanical failure occurred. The failure mileage was unknown.
Master light came on and had me sign power of attorney papers and no lawyer or notary was present
The timing chain loose up and cause car to not start up
The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment for a recall repair; however, the contact was unable to take the vehicle to a dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V563000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,551.
The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted after driving for more than an hour. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle received a tune-up, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V563000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Dec 1,2023 tried to stop and the brakes was grinding and the milage goes up and down as you are driving and it says routine maintenance required when you put the key in to start the outlander as got it from Todd Judy ford in Charleston WV and according to Mitsubishi toll free number it is not in my name [XXX] or my aunt's name [XXX] and they delivered it on September 15, 2023 and took her name and put it through the wv DMV with my insurance application number and [XXX] don't have a driver's license just a wv I'd and would not go over the paperwork that she was signing and they said they will mail us a copy of the paperwork but we have never gotten it through the mail and classified it as a motorcycle wv DMV title number is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have 50,000 miles I’m the original owner, bought it new in 2020, I was leaving work, started my car, blue smoke came out my exhaust, when i drove home from work, on inclines, the car sputters & stalls like it’s about to lose power, accompanied by thick blue smoke, and engine noise. I suspect it’s the piston rings in the cylinder head or valve seals are bad. My car has been parked for months, dealership wants to charge me a diagnostic fee, i take Uber or Lyft to work mind you i have an open loan on this car that I’m still paying. I think Mitsubishi used poor quality parts, piston rings don’t go bad at 50,000 miles neither does valve seals. PLEASE HELP, IM PAYING FOR A CAR I CANT DRIVE.
The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-70 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the CVT-ECU software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V563000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Radio digitizer touch screen not working - can not pair Bluetooth phone to comply with hands free laws. Unable to access some vehicle settings. Dealer said this is a very common issue - warranty expires at 36,000 miles and repair cost is $3,000.00 !
Engine is affected, vehicle is struggling at low speeds when pressing the gas.
The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle deaccelerated unintendedly and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the spark plug was fractured, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000.
The buckles for the side seats in the rear are So short they're almost hidden inside the seat making it difficult for anyone who is not child sized to find and/or buckle. I do ride share and this is an issue for 90% of my rides.
The catalytic converter was stolen. This is a risk the air pollution and the malfunction of other sensors that make cause the car to be unsafe to drive. The part can be easily removed and Mitsubishi refuses to add any safety or security to prevent further theft.
I'm driving at 40 miles per hour and I turn off the radio and the lights on my board but it's still walking, then I parked to inspect it I turned it off and I wanted to turn it on and I didn't want to. Then I put the key in the glove box where the radio frequency of the ship is programmed or sent and it turned on in a while it gives me a warnin to check the electrical system on my board and this happened to me 3 times a day
The rear passenger seat belt is way down in the seat and I have tried everything to get it to pull out more. I don't know what it could be, but it's almost as if the seat belt buckle is too short.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 26 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport are unknown or other (5 reports), engine (4 reports), seat belts (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.