Best Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Years to Buy
Based on federal NHTSA complaint and recall records, the best Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years to buy are 2018 and 2021 — the lowest severity-weighted complaint rates among years with enough road time to judge, while 2015 and 2016 are the years to skip.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of October 2026 · How we rate model years
Buy these years
Every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year, ranked by federal record
| Model year | NHTSA complaints | Recalls | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | OK |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | OK |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | OK |
| 2022 | 11 | 1 | OK |
| 2021 | 17 | 1 | BEST |
| 2020 | 26 | 1 | OK |
| 2019 | 47 | 1 | OK |
| 2018 | 21 | 2 | BEST |
| 2017 | 73 | 0 | OK |
| 2016 | 163 | 8 | AVOID |
| 2015 | 231 | 9 | AVOID |
| 2014 | 85 | 6 | OK |
| 2013 | 67 | 10 | OK |
| 2012 | 35 | 6 | OK |
| 2011 | 85 | 10 | OK |
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume; verdicts are severity-weighted rates per year on the road, compared within the model’s own history.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
2018 and 2021 — based on federal NHTSA records, they show the lowest severity-weighted complaint rates of any Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model year with meaningful time on the road. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
Which Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years should I avoid?
2015 and 2016 — they carry the model's highest severity-weighted complaint rates, led by transmission issues. The full breakdown is on our Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years-to-avoid page.
Is a used Mitsubishi Outlander Sport a good buy?
Year-dependent. Across 870 NHTSA owner complaints on record, the spread between the cleanest and worst Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years is significant — pick from the best-year list, confirm the specific car's history by VIN, and negotiate from what buyers actually paid rather than asking prices.
How do I buy the best Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year for the right price?
Two steps: verify the exact car (free VIN decode, then the recall/complaint record for that VIN), and negotiate the out-the-door price in writing. CarWhere's AI car-buying agent does the second part for you — it contacts dealers about the exact Mitsubishi Outlander Sport you pick, requests written itemized out-the-door quotes, and negotiates them down while you approve every message ($34.99/month, includes Pro pricing data).