2013 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 The navigation maps, if equipped, are outdated.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 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 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, free of charge. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-21-001. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-279. Owners not previously notified under 20V-279 were notified on March 22, 2021.

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 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.

If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed 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-18-002.

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 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 fastener may loosen with time.

A loosened and weakened fastener may not be capable of withstanding the load forces associated with a vehicle crash, leaving the seat occupant insufficiently restrained and increasing the risk of injury.

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt lap end attachment fastener, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-714-372-6000. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-011.

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 during the leather seat cover installation process.

If the wiring is routed incorrectly, using the seat height adjustment may damage the wiring resulting in illumination of the air bag warning light. Subsequently, in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the driver side seat mounted air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Mitsubishi will notify owners and dealers will inspect the wiring of the driver side seat mounted air bag and re-route the wire if necessary, free of charge. If the wire is damaged, the seat mounted airbag will be replaced, free of chagre. The recall began on February 28, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-001.

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 tire and/or brake hose.

If the stabilizer link bracket damages the tire and/or brake line, the driver may have more difficulty controlling the steering of the vehicle, or the vehicle may require a longer stopping distance to come to a complete and controlled stop. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the front left strut assembly free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2013. Owners may contact MMNA at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's recall number is SR-13-008.

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 Devices, and Associated Equipment," and FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection." The brake stop lamps may illuminate continuously or intermittently. The shift lever could also be moved out of Park without depressing the brake pedal.

If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly other vehicles may not know when the vehicle is stopping. This could increase the risk of a crash. If the shift lever is moved from park without using the brake, the vehicle may roll causing personal injury.

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The recall BEGAN ON April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign recall number is SR-13-004.

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 fuel tank level reading.

The vehicle operator may believe they have fuel when the tank is actually empty. This could cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will install the proper fuel sending harness, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign recall number is SR-13-005.