2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 19, 2026 · 58 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Outlander years
About as many complaints as other years 6th of 23 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander. That ranks 6th out of 23 Outlander model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (19 complaints, 33%), typically at around 70,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

Mitsubishi Outlander
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (fourth generation) in Leinfelden-Echterdingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine19 · ~70,000 mi
Electrical System9 · ~77,000 mi
Unknown or Other8 · ~21 mi
Visibility/wiper8 · ~69,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling7 · ~9,000 mi
Power Train6 · ~68,500 mi
Air Bags4 · ~40,440 mi
Suspension4 · ~70,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control4 · ~64,000 mi
Exterior Lighting3 · ~70,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine1933%70,000——
Electrical System916%77,000——
Unknown or Other814%21——
Visibility/wiper814%69,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling712%9,000——
Power Train610%68,500——
Air Bags47%40,440——
Suspension47%70,000——
Vehicle Speed Control47%64,000——
Exterior Lighting35%70,000——
Fuel/propulsion System35%11,200——
Service Brakes35%15,011——
Structure35%64,000——
Seat Belts23%64,000——
Wheels23%44,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)12%70,000——
Steering12%———
Visibility12%143,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2018, with 10 complaints
2011: 5201152012: 222013: 1201312014: 662015: 6201562016: 552017: 4201742018: 10102019: 2201922020: 442021: 2202122022: 112023: 5202352024: 112025: 3202532026: 11

n = 58 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Structure:frame and members; suspension:front:control arm:lower armMay 18, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleysJan 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V069000 · 141,053 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motorJul 20, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V461000 · 100,082 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. 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.

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

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkagesOct 31, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V791000 · 100,082 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected 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.

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

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower armJun 23, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

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

Fix: 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:fan/motorApr 20, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V233000 · 76,958 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.

Risk: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleysSep 12, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V562000 · 165,923 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsJun 25, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V366000 · 203 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid.

Risk: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The engine experienced catastrophic internal failure. A connecting rod broke and punctured the engine block, rendering the vehicle completely inoperable. This failure is consistent with overheating and internal…

Engine · received Apr 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11732167

I am submitting this complaint regarding Peachtree Mitsubishi, located at 4474 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30341, for their failure to properly address a critical safety recall on my vehicle: Mitsubishi Recall SR-20-003REV_1 (NHTSA Campaign Number 20V-279) — Crossmember Corrosion, which poses a…

Unknown or Other · received Oct 20, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11694564

The car has severe rust on the frame to the point of the rust corroding a hole in the frame making it unsafe to drive. Black paint has been applied to conceal the extent of the rust, demonstrating clear intent to mislead and a disregard for human safety. The catalytic converter has been aftermarket…

Structure · received Apr 8, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11653563

Since I bought my car in 2021 the air bag system sensor goes off as well as the seatbelt light even if my seatbelt is on.

Air Bags · received Mar 9, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11647273

Consumes ( Burns ) good amount of oil

Engine · received Jan 17, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11566013

Other Mitsubishi Outlander years

← 2010 Outlander · 2012 Outlander →

See all Mitsubishi Outlander problems by year, every Mitsubishi model, or the Mitsubishi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 19 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Outlander model years, the 2011 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.