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2011 Mitsubishi Outlander: engine and transmission complaints

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
55%
41 of 74 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

55% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 73% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 14 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 47%).

NHTSA data checked September 13, 2026
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Drivetrain complaints
41
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
88
this model year
Fires reported
0
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
14
6 crashes · 7 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE27 · 31%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15 · 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13 · 15%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9 · 10%
POWER TRAIN9 · 10%
VISIBILITY/WIPER9 · 10%

The years either side

2010
43%
23 of 60
2011
55%
41 of 88
2012
41%
11 of 36
2013
37%
19 of 68
2014
37%
23 of 86
2015
75%
166 of 234
2016
59%
88 of 170
2017
35%
21 of 78
2018
33%
17 of 77
2019
46%
18 of 55
2020
29%
14 of 57
2021
too few complaints
2022
20%
43 of 224
2023
29%
14 of 54

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Same car, a better year

Other compact SUVs with no elevated signal

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

ENGINE04/19/2026
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 damage. The vehi…
STEERING,STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM04/08/2025
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 welded into place a…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING01/25/2024
The contact owns a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 25–30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the check engine, 4-WD, ABS, traction control, and oil pressure war…

Three of 41 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on this model year (14)

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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 windshi…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicle…
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
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 affec…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.