Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport powertrain problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 13 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Mitsubishi Outlander Sport we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
Powertrain accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a Technical Service Bulletin that was sent to dealers. The bulletin updates the Automatic Transmission section of the affected Service Manuals, to include additional service parts for the transaxle removal and installation procedure. This bulletin also informs dealers that the applicable parts were made available in May 2015.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Service Bulletin that was sent to dealers. The bulletin updates the Automatic Transmission section of the affected Service Manual, to include steps for the shift indicator panel removal and installation procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport report multiple transmission and powertrain failures that create serious safety hazards. The most dangerous complaint involves complete loss of transmission function on the freeway—the transmission stops responding, engine revs without moving the car, and drivers are stuck in traffic unable to accelerate. Other owners report the transmission refusing to shift into higher gears, maxing out around 20 MPH with engine redlining, requiring them to pull over and restart. Hesitation and lag when pressing the accelerator are widespread, especially on highways and at intersections; several owners nearly collided with other vehicles because the car won't respond quickly enough. Multiple owners also describe transmission vibration, sluggish warm-up behavior, rough shifting in automatic mode (which they work around by using manual shift), and instances where the transmission won't shift at all beyond first or reverse. Some owners report transmission overheating warnings in stop-and-go traffic, with transmission pump failure diagnosed at 106,500 miles. Warning lights (check engine, traction control, transmission overheating) often appear. One owner needed a complete transmission replacement at 56,000 miles for $7,100. A related TSB (13-13-008) mentions PCM updates, and owners reference a recall (SR-16-006) that some believe doesn't cover their issues. Dealers and Mitsubishi have denied coverage and refused repairs on out-of-warranty vehicles despite acknowledging known transmission problems.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete transmission failure / loss of drive
Transmission stops responding entirely while driving; engine revs but vehicle will not move, leaving drivers stranded in traffic.
When: While driving on freeway
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs without vehicle moving; Transmission warning light illuminates; Complete loss of power to wheels; Vehicle stuck in traffic unable to accelerate
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives do not specify repair; owner stranded 50 minutes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states 'known issue with this transmission but manufacturer is not responding and issued a recall like it needs to'
Transmission refuses to shift to higher gears
When accelerating, transmission stays in low gear (around 20 MPH) with engine redlining; vehicle will not exceed speeds needed for highway merging. Requires driver to lift off gas and restart to reset.
When: Upon acceleration; occurs every time owner tries to merge with traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to redline without gear shift; Vehicle maxes out around 20 MPH; Won't shift in AWD or 4WD mode; Requires pulling over and releasing throttle to reset
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #3 mentions owner looking for Mitsubishi Service Center; no repair recorded
Transmission hesitation and lag on acceleration
Vehicle hesitates, jerks, and feels like it will stall when driver depresses accelerator; unpredictable acceleration makes it unsafe to turn or merge. Drivers report nearly causing accidents. Resolves by switching to manual shift mode.
When: During acceleration from standstill and at intersections
Symptoms owners cite: Engine sounds like it will stall; Vehicle slows down as if malfunctioning; Slow pickup over 20-30 seconds; Unpredictable acceleration; Vehicle jerks forward at start; Requires manual shift to avoid problem
Repairs/costs cited: Owners workaround by using manual shift override
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer 'blew it off as a slow starting vehicle'
Transmission vibration and sluggish warm-up
Vibration originating from transmission, especially noticeable when vehicle is sluggish after warming up. Transmission hesitates during turns into intersections.
When: After engine warms up; during intersection turns
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration from transmission; Vehicle sluggish after warm-up; Hesitant response when accelerating from turn
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced entire transmission for $7,100 at 56,000 miles
Transmission pump failure
Transmission pump fails during stop-and-go driving in hot weather. Transmission overheating warning message displayed.
When: At 106,500 miles during stop-and-go traffic in hot weather
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission overheating warning message; Loss of transmission function
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed transmission pump failure; estimated repair over $8,000; used transmissions unavailable due to recall issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuccillo Mitsubishi (Watertown, NY) stated warranty expired and repair would cost $8,000+. Manufacturer stated would not issue recall for individual vehicle and it was out of warranty.
Loss of power / low-speed limp mode with warning lights
While driving 20 MPH, check engine and ASC warning lights illuminate; vehicle loses motive power and cannot exceed 10 MPH. Related to PCM software issue.
When: At approximately 110,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; ASC (traction control) warning light; Loss of motive power; Vehicle cannot exceed 10 MPH
Codes mentioned: PCM software issue (TSB 13-13-008)
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed PCM needed software update
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer informed owner repair would be at her own expense per TSB 13-13-008. Vehicle was not repaired.
Delayed acceleration / lag response on highway
When pressing accelerator on highway, vehicle feels like it is standing still for a few seconds before acceleration engages. Owners nearly hit from behind multiple times.
When: While driving on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator press does not immediately respond; Vehicle appears stationary for few seconds; Delayed acceleration engagement; Nearly struck by following vehicles
Erratic shifting behavior / RPM spikes without gear engagement
Automatic transmission jumps RPMs without shifting properly. In manual mode vehicle drives fine. RPMs spike significantly when accelerating with accompanying deep vibration.
When: During acceleration and highway driving above 50 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: RPMs jump without transmission shifting; Deep rumble or vibration above 50 MPH; Check engine light illuminates; Drives fine in manual shift mode; RPMs rise and fall significantly
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not specified)
Transmission locked in first / reverse only
Transmission stops functioning; vehicle can move only in first gear and reverse, no other gears engage.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission won't shift beyond first or reverse; Vehicle cannot shift to higher gears
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
I was on the freeway and all of the sudden the transmission stopped working and I was unable to get to the side of the road safely do to loss of power and traffic conditions. There was transmission warning light that came on and right after that when I pressed on the acceleration the engine would rev, but there was no reaction to the gears. This resulted in me being stuck in an active lane of…
The contact owns a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the check engine and the ASC warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a nearby independent mechanic. The independent mechanic…
When I push on gas, the car never shifts gears! I can start out slowly with a little gas peddle pressure, but when trying to get up to speed and merge with traffic, it will never shift into a higher gear! It stays at about 20mph and engine revs to red zone unless I lift off gas. I don't even get gas peddle half way down. Transmission roars, car doesn't go, and I can't go forward but at a slow…
Upon starting the vehicle and taking off with the shifter engaged in automatic, the car quickly engages the first gear but as I depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate, it feels and sounds like the engine is about to stall out and the vehicle slows back down as if hesitating and malfunctioning, then it very slowly over about a 20-30 second lull will begin to pick up speed at an incredibly…
While driving and automatic the cat jumps rpms and doesn't shift right when in manual it drives perfectly fine.
Jerking forward when car mits outlander sport starts. Have tried using hand brake on parking but once vehicle is started it shoots forward.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mitsubishi outlander sport. The contact stated that a message displayed, indicating that the transmission was getting hot and to slow down. The contact was driving in stop and go traffic in hot weather at the time of the message. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission pump failed. The mechanic checked all over the nation…
The contact owns a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact replaced the battery; however, while driving, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The traction control warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 32,032 and 110,400 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,032; a quarter make it past 110,400. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Mitsubishi/Outlander Sport.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.