2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The JATCO CVT has a higher-than-average failure rate in the Outlander Sport, with symptoms including slipping, jerking, loss of acceleration, and eventually complete transmission failure. The CVT belt and pulleys wear prematurely, especially in vehicles that are not serviced with regular fluid changes.

CVT fluid changes every 30,000 miles with Mitsubishi DiaQueen CVTF-J4 can extend transmission life. Once symptoms appear, the CVT usually requires a full replacement. Rebuilt or remanufactured CVTs are available at lower cost than new OEM units.

Owners report excessive body roll during cornering and a floaty, disconnected feeling at highway speeds. The soft suspension tuning prioritizes comfort over handling, but many find it makes the vehicle feel unstable during emergency maneuvers and lane changes. This is a characteristic of the aging RVR platform.

Upgrading to stiffer aftermarket shock absorbers and struts improves body control. Adding a rear sway bar (if not equipped) or upgrading to a thicker aftermarket unit reduces body roll. Alignment adjustment to factory specifications should be performed after any suspension work.

The Outlander Sport's infotainment system uses older hardware that is sluggish and prone to freezing. The touchscreen response time is noticeably slow, Bluetooth audio stutters, and the system takes a long time to pair new devices. The navigation maps, if equipped, are outdated.

Software updates from Mitsubishi offer marginal improvement. Using a wired connection for smartphone integration is more reliable. Some owners install aftermarket head units compatible with the Outlander Sport's wiring harness for a significantly improved experience.

A persistent knocking or clunking noise from the rear suspension when driving over bumps or uneven surfaces. The noise is typically caused by worn rear stabilizer bar end links or loose rear shock absorber mounting bolts. The issue develops progressively and worsens over time.

Inspect and replace the rear sway bar end links and check all rear suspension bolt torque specifications. If the rear shock absorber mounts are worn, they should be replaced along with the shocks. Worn rear trailing arm bushings can also cause knocking.

Many owners report real-world fuel economy 3-5 mpg below the EPA-estimated figures, particularly in city driving. The 2.0L engine works hard to move the vehicle due to its modest 148 horsepower, and the CVT calibration keeps RPMs high during acceleration, reducing efficiency.

Ensure proper tire inflation pressure. Replace the air filter and spark plugs at recommended intervals. A throttle body cleaning can restore throttle response. Driving in Eco mode and avoiding aggressive acceleration helps the CVT operate more efficiently. Check for dragging brakes.

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.

A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

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.

Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, 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-18-001.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.

If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.

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.

Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 OUTLANDER SPORT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TURN SIGNAL LEVERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE NOT MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION OF THE TURN SIGNAL BECOMING INOPERATIVE.

THE TURN SIGNAL MAY CONTINUE TO SIGNAL AN INTENDED DIRECTIONAL CHANGE AFTER A POINT WHEN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION, IF OPERATING PROPERLY, WOULD HAVE TERMINATED THE SIGNAL. A FOLLOWING OR ONCOMING DRIVER MAY RECEIVE INACCURATE INDICATIONS OF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR'S INTENDED MANEUVERS, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH BETWEEN VEHICLES DUE TO IMPROPER VEHICLE SIGNALING.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RETAILED TO CUSTOMERS WITH THIS POTENTIAL CONDITION, NO RECALL BULLETIN OR OWNER LETTERS WILL BE PREPARED. YOU MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.