Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Common Failures: Solutions And More!
Despite its name, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport lacks the sporty performance and interior refinement of its rival SUVs. Instead, the Sport offers some passenger and cargo versatility with its folding rear seats, which can come in handy during road trips and grocery shopping. The most convenient thing for you, in case you are interested in buying this model, is to know the common faults of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
The 2021 base model costs about $24,000, while higher trims are priced similar to larger SUVs. A Mitsubishi Outlander Sport will depreciate 47% after five years. The low resale value is a definite plus for buyers on a budget.
How good is the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
While the Outlander Sport doesn’t have great fuel economy and strong engine options, it has proven to be quite reliable. Multiple users gave the 2021 model a respectable reliability score of 85 out of 100. The 2021 Outlander Sport has a 5-year base warranty and a 10-year powertrain warranty.
This beats the shorter lead times offered by competing manufacturers. Aside from its excellent warranty and high reliability score, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport boasts a four-star rating in US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests. The SUV comes packed with features key safety measures that have been shown to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport common faults
However, some Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models have received numerous complaints over the years. Here are some of the common Mitsubishi Outlander Sport failures reported to date:
1- Software problems
Mitsubishi has recalled 2018 Outlander Sport models equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Electric Parking Brake (EPB) systems.
According to the recall, the electronic control unit (ECU) of the affected models may contain faulty software that can prevent the operation of safety systems such as automatic emergency braking, anti-lock braking (ABS), electronic control stability control (ESC) or the brake automatic hold function (BAH).
Drivers are more prone to an accident without these safety systems guiding the vehicle to safety.
This problem is not to be taken lightly . We recommend that you take your 2018 Sport to a garage to have its electronic and security systems thoroughly checked. Once the problem has been identified by the mechanic, you can go to your Mitsubishi dealer to have the ECU updated for free.
2- Frontal Collision Mitigation Issues
The faulty Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system on the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has prompted a recall from the Japanese automaker. A software issue in the FCM-ECU causes affected models to apply the brakes even when no pedestrians are detected.
If these brakes are applied for longer than necessary, the driver may respond by applying additional brakes, which can increase the risk of rear-end collisions.
Fortunately, the FCM-ECU can be reprogrammed to work as it should . You can take your vehicle to your Mitsubishi dealer and have it repaired for free.
3- Sudden heating problem
The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport tended to shut down without warning. Rather than address the issue directly, Mitsubishi issued a recall for certain 2015-2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models for electrical issues.
According to the recall, the affected models were equipped with faulty relays, which can cause shutdown, reduced motor power and overheating. This posed a significant risk to the safety of the owners and their passengers. Mitsubishi has offered to replace the faulty relays on all affected models free of charge.
There are other factors that can cause your engine to stall, aside from a faulty relay. For example, you may be running low on fuel. Be sure to check fuel levels regularly as part of your maintenance routine.
A bad alternator can also cause performance problems for a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. It’s important that you do an engine and electrical system check when your SUV shuts down, so you can pinpoint the exact problem.
4- Battery failure
Owners of the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have reported that their SUVs won’t start due to a dead battery. This tends to happen around the 25,000 mile mark. Some owners have had to replace their stock batteries with heavy-duty ones to restore power to their SUV’s engine and electronics.
A dead or insufficiently charged battery can cause sudden blackouts , disabled headlights, a slow engine start, or backfiring. Mitsubishi has not yet issued a recall for the defective batteries in the 2015 Outlander Sport, so you may need to replace this part yourself when the time comes.
Fortunately, it’s quite easy to spot a bad battery. When you turn the key and hear a clicking noise, it means your SUV’s starter is not getting enough power from the battery to start the engine. This emits an audible click indicating that your battery is about to die.
If your vehicle only starts when your foot is on the accelerator pedal, this may also indicate a problem with the battery. Be sure to inspect the condition of a vehicle’s battery before purchasing to avoid costly replacements and repairs in the future.
5- Problems with the ventilation grill
Forty-six people have complained of mouse infestation inside their 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Rodents inside a vehicle pose serious health and safety risks to the occupants of the cabin, as some mice harbor diseases in their droppings, saliva, and urine that can be inhaled.
As one homeowner discovered, mice can chew through air intake filters and leave droppings on surfaces. They can multiply and chew through electrical wiring if allowed to live inside a vehicle.
We can’t say for sure what’s causing rodents to nest inside the 2013 Sport, because Mitsubishi hasn’t yet addressed the issue . If you’re buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, it wouldn’t hurt to call pest control to rule out any rodent problems.
In summary
Although the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is not the best choice in the range, many owners consider it very reliable. For some buyers, the Sport’s perceived reliability outweighs its less desirable features. You can likely drive your Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for a long time with minimal maintenance.
The Sport’s base price may be higher than most people are willing to pay. However, if you are still determined to buy one, we recommend that you look for the best models and finishes for your budget to avoid the headache of constant maintenance and repairs.
