This Technical Service Bulletin supersedes TSB-22-16-001REV ("MIL illumination with DTC P030X and loss of power due to Fail Safe Mode") issued August 2023, to update the Affected Vehicle years and provide VIN cut-off information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of October 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Outlander Sport | 5 |
| 2021 Outlander Sport (this page) | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2021 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
Owners are still filing on this — the most recent NHTSA engine complaint for this vehicle was logged 35 days ago.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 Revised Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers directing them upon customer complaint basis and after diagnosis, to replace the ignition coils of all cylinders with countermeasure parts when customers report a MIL illumination and a loss of engine power due to the vehicle being in fail safe mode. Unstable idling due to poor contact of the ignition coil terminal and DTC P030X may create this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions to reprogram the ECU with the countermeasure software when the check engine light illuminates with DTC of P0401/ P0400.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers and parts managers about possible causes after a customer complains that the engine will not start while using the remote start system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory Remote Engine Start system for affected vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
At freeway speeds in the heat the vehicle intermittently and suddenly flashes yellow check engine light and vehicle shakes as it loses most of the engine power, forcing a slow or stop to "limp it" off the highway. No warnings no noises no change in emissions noted. Calls to dealerships and have been told they don't know what it is and haven't heard of any issues.
This was in a rental from National Car Rental from the Las Vegas airport. I was driving down the road at about 65-70 MPH when the vehicle's brakes just slammed on, and everything about the car just died. There was a huge groaning sound as it happened - kind of like when you are in 'park' and push the gas pedal and it revs really high. I tried shifting into neutral, nothing changed, and all the…
The contact owns a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the Service Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local AutoZone where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
Had engine trouble with your 2021 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 engine problem on the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 47,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2021/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.