Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander at 25–27 mpg combined across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
3
EPA combined mpg
25–27
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as OUTLANDER PHEV, OUTLANDER SPORT.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mitsubishi dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander, newest first.
Structure: Body: Hatchback/liftgate: Support device/strut
NHTSA 26V252000Reported Apr 20, 2026
Filed by
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SR-26-001)
Units affected
108,046 (estimate)
Problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.
Structure: Body: Hatchback/liftgate: Support device/strut
NHTSA 25V507000Reported Aug 7, 2025
Filed by
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SR-25-002)
Units affected
121,529 (estimate)
Problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002
Power train: Automatic transmission: Control module: Software
NHTSA 22V563000Reported Aug 2, 2022
Filed by
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SR-22-004)
Units affected
76,508 (estimate)
Problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio at high speeds, which can result in an engine stall.
Risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
Advertisement
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
Advertisement
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander owner complaints
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander, most recently on Sep 22, 2026. 0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander complaints
